FLEETWOOD MAC - THE MAC IS BACK (Sheffield Star)

The Mac is back
By david dunn
Sheffield Star

MICK Fleetwood is the first to admit his band is not entirely normal.

"We are sort of like a dysfunctional family, a unique bunch of people," he tells The Star from Hawaii ahead of Fleetwood Mac's first UK dates in six years.

And looking at the headlines down the years the people behind some of the best-known music in the western world – Stevie Nicks, John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie – were not exactly short of excitement off stage.

"We've all been extremely close but we also had to become friends and ex-lovers and all the rest of it.

"The bottom line, the umbilical chord that links us, is not about business.

"Stevie and Lindsey were pretty much married for 20 years – it was part of the Fleetwood Mac soap opera."

Beyond the sometimes complicated romance issues, the drugs and the rows, Mac have been an incredible success story with global hits like Don't Stop and Go Your Own Way. The landmark Rumours album alone accounts for 25 million of their album sales.

"We're not a bunch of guys who hate each other but make great music and turn up and play. We cannot do that.

"Because we were probably too forthcoming while washing our laundry in public the upside now is not having to talk about it. We are sort of lucky we were talking too much before.

"Now the great thing is people identify with us being human beings and not iconic, rock and roll untouchable creatives.

"After the blood and guts of drugs and alcohol abuse there's a real connection with us as people.

"We are no different to someone who has had a love affair in the office. It has to be worked out.

"We are hearing and feeling - we are having a good comfortable celebration and that's a good feeling."