Stevie Nicks says another Fleetwood Mac album is unlikely: ‘We’re not 40 anymore’
The music icon says the band are more keen to focus on touring
BY: ALISTAIR FOSTER
Evening Standard
Stevie Nicks says she does not think Fleetwood Mac will make another album together — because they are “not 40” any more.
The singer, 68, believes the band are more likely to focus on touring and doubts they will ever record a follow-up to 2003’s Say You Will.
She said: “If the five of us were to get together to make a record it would take a year, which is what it always takes us.
"It would be a whole year of recording, then press, then rehearsal, and by the time we got back onto the road, it would be heading towards the second year, and I don’t know whether at this time it’s better for us just to do a big tour.”
The band has sold more than 100 million records and reformed with the classic line-up of Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John and Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood for a world tour, which ended in 2015.
Nicks said: “It’s every single penny we make divided by five, so the expense of making a record, which is huge, and then to get back on tour ... we are not 40.
"We have to take that into consideration — how long can we do tours that are three-hour shows? Would you rather spend a year in the studio or get back on the road? I think that the band would choose to tour.”
Nicks, who is focusing on her solo career, is also reluctant to make new music.
She said: “I don’t write as many songs any more because with the internet, the way that kids listen to music, all the streaming, and the fact that if they’re very savvy, if they want to get it and not pay for it, they can.
"It goes against the grain of our whole belief in, ‘You write a song, you record it, and you put it out there and people should buy it’.
"We realise it’s not our world any more and the younger kids don’t look at it like they’re taking from us... we don’t have the impetus to write 20 songs because we know that unless you’re under 20 you’re not going to sell many records.”
She is not involved with the new album by McVie and Buckingham, which is not a Fleetwood Mac record.
She said: “I’m sure it’s going to be great, because Christine is super-inspired. I’m really happy for them.”
On July 9, Nicks will support her old friend Tom Petty with his band The Heartbreakers at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park.
She said: “I’m the girl who always wanted to be in his band and he’s always the one who said, ‘No, no girls allowed.’ There’s just no one else I’d rather be on stage with than Tom.”
The music icon says the band are more keen to focus on touring
BY: ALISTAIR FOSTER
Evening Standard
Stevie Nicks says she does not think Fleetwood Mac will make another album together — because they are “not 40” any more.
The singer, 68, believes the band are more likely to focus on touring and doubts they will ever record a follow-up to 2003’s Say You Will.
She said: “If the five of us were to get together to make a record it would take a year, which is what it always takes us.
"It would be a whole year of recording, then press, then rehearsal, and by the time we got back onto the road, it would be heading towards the second year, and I don’t know whether at this time it’s better for us just to do a big tour.”
The band has sold more than 100 million records and reformed with the classic line-up of Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John and Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood for a world tour, which ended in 2015.
Nicks said: “It’s every single penny we make divided by five, so the expense of making a record, which is huge, and then to get back on tour ... we are not 40.
"We have to take that into consideration — how long can we do tours that are three-hour shows? Would you rather spend a year in the studio or get back on the road? I think that the band would choose to tour.”
Nicks, who is focusing on her solo career, is also reluctant to make new music.
She said: “I don’t write as many songs any more because with the internet, the way that kids listen to music, all the streaming, and the fact that if they’re very savvy, if they want to get it and not pay for it, they can.
"It goes against the grain of our whole belief in, ‘You write a song, you record it, and you put it out there and people should buy it’.
"We realise it’s not our world any more and the younger kids don’t look at it like they’re taking from us... we don’t have the impetus to write 20 songs because we know that unless you’re under 20 you’re not going to sell many records.”
She is not involved with the new album by McVie and Buckingham, which is not a Fleetwood Mac record.
She said: “I’m sure it’s going to be great, because Christine is super-inspired. I’m really happy for them.”
On July 9, Nicks will support her old friend Tom Petty with his band The Heartbreakers at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park.
She said: “I’m the girl who always wanted to be in his band and he’s always the one who said, ‘No, no girls allowed.’ There’s just no one else I’d rather be on stage with than Tom.”
Note ... she didn't say never or definitely not. She simply said unlikely. I think once she sees how much fun Christine and Lindsey have with this (especially if the project is very well-received) she may decide to make one last Mac record for the fans. In the meantime (insert pun here) I'm happy that Christine and Lindsey are releasing their new music.
ReplyDeleteI for one am not particularly as interested in going to yet another "greatest hits" tour, as I would be if they were promoting new material - especially considering ticket prices, so I don't really agree with her. I'm 24. I buy albums.
ReplyDeleteStevie just like a few lyrics you wrote off the only #1 song from FM. (Play it the way you feel it). Go were your heart tells you go Stevie follow those dreams. Screw your critics. See you out on the road no matter what road you choose I will be there always no matter what. Rock on Gold Dust Woman!!! Love Always Brian from NH.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know where to begin.... It seems like she didn't even want to tour anymore with the band. She's clearly doing it for the money, because she prefers to be with Tom on stage. She won't collaborate on another FM album because it means splitting everything with the other 4. And the album will be great because Christine is super inspired, but Lindsey is another story. He doesn't exist. I wish she could stop thinking for a minute about money and enjoy being the prolific songwriter she used to be.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is missing the big picture on this $$ thing. Love certain memebers or be disappointed or even hate them. But...there is no $$ in recording, downloading & especially touring without the ticket selling appeal of
DeleteStevie Nicks. She is the one who pulls in the concert crowd and affords them all the touring luxuries of staff, assistants, private jets and anything else. These guys will be in a bus unless they pay for their own jet rental. As someone semi- famous recently said. Even a 2 million dollar bus is still as bus after two days. Haha!! Well put.
Stevie needs to realize recorded music will add to her legacy, whereas tours will not. If she doesn't want to record new things, then she should raid the vaults and put out the demos and outtakes - some of those already seem to be complete like Tied Up In Promises, Chanel Chanel, etc. She needs to get her songs officially released like her band member are doing.
ReplyDeleteMs Nicks, the material is ready; there are gaps/tracks in each song waiting for your vocals; they're waiting for a song or two from you. It will not take a year. It is almost ready, except for your parts. This music has been created over the past two years. Take two or three weeks, get in there and put down your vocals. We want a final Fleetwood Mac album, period. No more excuses. You make it sound like it is all about money. Not cool. It's about the music, Fleetwood Mac music.
ReplyDeleteMy god what a miser she has become! money money money thats all she talks about, she has made millions and millions od dollars from her fans now because she doesn't think she can make more millions she refuses to do one more album just to please her fans and give all the fleetwood mac fans a real final album? well thanks very much stevie after supporting you and fleetwood mac for over 40 years spending my hard earned money on cd's concert tickers memorabilia etc thanks very much , so nice to know after all these years all the fans ever were to you were ATM'S where you come to get your cash, apparently the fans mean nothing to you, as for me I will save my ATM cash for buckingham mcvie cd's (oh yes a few of us still buy them imagine that) and for any ticket to any of their shows because at least i know i will hear something new! not the same old same old from your tour and speaking of your wonderful tour with different set lists every night what ever happened to that plan? guess that was too much trouble for your fan's also, just as easy to do the same show over and over again after all what do you care its all about the money anyway, just know what goes around comes around so dont expect your fans to keep paying the tab for you to be self indulgent some of us still buy cds and will still buy them and not waste our money on your tour to listen to you tell the same old stores over and over again and play the same old songs.
ReplyDeleteIn case you haven't been aware of Stevie's recent tour. She is the only one that has even attempted to tour playing a set that does not consist entirely of popular hits & cuts. Check out the YouTube videos of this current tour of hers.
DeleteThis is bull, chris and Lindsey already have the album done so stevie could ad even 2 songs and we done in a month if she wanted it would not take a year! she could also just go and ad some vocals to the album they just made if she refuses to write because she doesn't think she will make money, Im sure fleetwood mac would even pay her since money is so important to her, she could go in do some backup vocal even a duet? and she would be done in weeks or even days it doesn't take long for her to do her part so she is full of bull, for what ever reason she seems pissed at fleewtood mac and being petty and selfish , if she feels that strong she should just quit the band and stop giving the fan's false hope because its plain to see now fleetwood mac as we know it is over, I wont pay to see her with solo or with the mac anymore, I have seen the same show enough times now dont need to waste anymore money on the same thing, fleetwood mac is now just a memory but luckily we still have buckingham mcvie to look forward to and some new music. Just keep counting your money stevie , chris and lindsey will think of the fans and thanks us for our support and give us what we want new music.
ReplyDeleteDream on people. There will be no tour without Stevie. No promoter will work with them without the stadium filler Nicks. Chris may have some drawing power but the guys have completely let themselves go.
DeleteI'm disappointed of course that Ms.Nicks isnt interested in recording an album with her bandmates, thats her perogative. I do side eye some of her comments/claims in this statement though.
ReplyDeleteLast time they made an album she came in last and spent maybe 3 months, so her saying a year to record isnt set in stone, not to mention that Lindsey/Christie have tons of music ready to go supposedly.
Also why does she keep saying 'We'?
As in we are more focused on touring, We would choose to tour, etc.
Is she speaking for the band, because thats not what they've been saying.
Theyve made it clear they want to do an album and a tour. What I got out of article is that she believes that it will take to much (possibly acrimonius) time and money to make an album (which everybody will just steal their music off of she claims) when they could just forget being a viable creative entity, and just do another bloated legacy tour (cash grab).Don't get me wrong, I'll be there no matter what. Just hoped for more.
I'm a little disappointed in her right now. There are lots of us 'old' fans that would definitely buy a CD. As much as I love her I just don't think her solo material lately has been very good. She's relying too much on lyrics she wrote 40 years ago. And frankly, her best songs were the ones produced by Lindsey. I think the Buckingham-McVie album will be wonderful because they are the true musicians and lyricists. Stevie was always only as good as her producer.
ReplyDeleteI think Stevie is done making records. I think she'll tour but making a record with The Mac - No. I hope Lindsey and Chris have a great time . Oh Stevie, the only person I've ever wanted to see you perform with is Lindsey Buckingham not Tom Petty. I will not pay good money to see you and Tom since there is absolutely no charisma between the two of you. So sad.
ReplyDeleteWell, it seems the curtain has really fallen on the glorious career of Fleetwood Mac. R.I.P.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but think of Stevie as the Grinch Who Stole the Final Fleetwood Mac Album.
Hell hath no fury....
IMO, she is completely off the mark. I don't know who she is listening to, but I think the fans want so much to have new music, that the Buckingham/McVie project is going to sell far better that 24K Gold did. In fact, I think its going to be a smash. And Stevie will be left to count her money. I love her, but she is on the wrong side of this one.
ReplyDeleteLindsey has never had a "smash". Don't know what planet you have lived on. He is basically Fleetwood Mac's session man. And a good one. But please don't attempt to delude his singing as anything listenable. His shows barely fill a 500 seat hall. Chris may at least spark some attention. But this will never be anything beyond a novelty. Stevie and the others have plenty of ca$h to count and spend.
DeleteFew recordings these day sell at all. They are simply stolen without a backward glance. The $ is in filling seats. Something CHRIS & Lindsey have no track record doing. Especially Lindsey with his 500 seat halls he plays to with solo. Good Luck. Stevie will be there or there will be no tour.
DeleteMy favorite group Fleetwood Mac. Stunning chemistry, brilliant songwriting, spine-tingling harmonies and legendary musicianship. Their storytelling songs and albums unlike anyone else. I wish Stevie comes to realize those of us who have followed The Mac and have adored them from the beginning are still here. Not making another album together feels like stopping the Twilight trilogy at the second film. Not allowing those who fell in love with the story to get their come-together, life affirming ending. Your collective songs and albums matter A LOT to so many of us. Please Stevie, we can still hear you saying you would never break the chain.
ReplyDeleteGood for Stevie and hopefully there won't be another endless classic oldies tour.. This is NOT how I describe a Stevie Nicks solo tour.. Her tours are always magic. she has carried Fleetwood Mac since the 70's. Now new music from Stevie ALWAYS. Will I buy this Christine and Lindsey release.... ahhhh NO Just same old Chris bland. No one wants Chris and Lindsey. We want Nicks / Buckingham!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm just hoping that this will be another EP scenario... Completed songs, Stevie adds vocals. Lindsey could even record a demo for her, like Without You.. After all, it's well documented that Stevie wasn't present for much of Tango's studio work.. It could very well still happen.. We just need to buckle up and enjoy yet another Fleetwood Mac rollercoaster ride.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, if Stevie doesn't contribute, I definitely think Chris & Lindsey's work should be released as Fleetwood Mac. After all, Stevie will be there for the tour, so why not.
So sad... I think her artistry only lives on in recorded music... not shows. Johnny Cash had some of his most inspired recordings later in his career. And he wasn't driven by sales. Her shows are very expensive and although great is only a minor part of how fans interact with the musicians they love. The interact every day at home when the play their vinyl, iPod, cd, or spotify. . The support from fans was on the desire that one of the best bands to ever record together would get back together... not just for the money of touring... so sad.. And nobody cares about Stevie and Tom Petty on stage... they want FM. We'll hold out hope!
ReplyDeleteI wonder why this most recent Nicks solo tour was a massive success with the best sound, lighting and stage presence of any Fleetwood Mac or previous Nicks tour. She is certainly doing fine and FM attempting to tour without Stevie (no offense to Chris whatsoever) will be an abysmal swan song to all. They can't possibly sell more than small theaters and their travel budget will be buses and vans. Hard life for superstars in their 70s.
DeleteStevie, Stevie, Stevie. Forbe's said you and Chris were making $400,000 a show on the last tour. Why not let the tour satisfy your purse and let the album satisfy your spirit? You CAN have it both ways. You just take a month and become very esoteric and let those "otherworld" spirits in, and then spend a year wearing the same thing every night, NOT being creative, and making shit tons of cash.
ReplyDelete:rolls eyes:
Weening away from Stevie's music. She's thrown in the towel. Time to find someone else to champion.
ReplyDeleteI've been disappointed in the last 2 Nick's CDs, but then realized I've probably changed and matured, while her music really has not. I love the Mac and many of Stevie's early solo efforts. But I think her prolific songwriting days are over, as her voice also weakens. I won't support another tour without new music, and I think the legacy of the band would be better served by ending the Mac now, with the release of the new Buckingham/McVie CD, which I do plan to buy.
ReplyDeleteIf Stevie is really just in it for the money at this point, which her comments here suggest, and won't write songs because she thinks they won't make money, that's just sad. Creativity is a magical wondrous thing, but if one's creativity is only in service to the almighty dollar, then the magic is gone.
ReplyDeletePeople make the choices they make, and no matter how much others think they may understand, we can't really. Stevie is making choices for her own reasons. I hope, for her sake, that the reasons are a bit nobler and less craven than this article suggests. I suspect, however, that this is really just a final flipping of the bird to Lindsey, which is beyond unfortunate if it's true.
Stevie, after effectively putting the kibosh on a final FM album, do you really think it's going to be fun to tour with those folks?
I think Stevie doesn't want to write new music with Fleetwood Mac because she would probably have to share writing credits with Lindsey. It's hard to believe that Stevie Nicks wrote all those brilliant Fleetwood Mac songs by herself. I think Lindsey helped Stevie a lot more than Lindsey gets credit for. Lindsey never got any writing credit for any of Stevie's songs. Easily over half of Stevie Nicks solo songs have other song writers involved and very few if any are as good as Stevie's Fleetwood Mac songs.
ReplyDeleteStevie has always made very clear in interviews that from day 1 in Fleetwood Mac how important money was. Stevie said once she was paid lots of money she never worried about money since. Stevie is successful on her own. I don't want see a phony act onstage. Stevie you can Go You Own Way.
Lindsey and Christie have plenty of Fleetwood Mac hits to play without Stevie. I am looking forward to the Buckingham Mc Vie album not only to hear Lindsey and Christie's new songs... but to hear the icing on the cake... Mick Fleetwood and John Mc Vie too!!!!
Wow talk about a kick in the teeth! stevie might as well told her fans to go F themselves!she cares about nothing but the money period! she is pushing 70 years old has she not made enough money yet? she has no kids or family to leave it to so why is she acting like she is 2 doors away from being on welfare? enough with the money stevie, if she want to keep touring yourself or with tom petty (yuck) go ahead but you are in for a rude awaking, your fans will not be paying for your fun anymore, we will save our money for the mac and their cd and shows, you can go ask tom to pick up the tab because your fan's have had enough of paying the price, not for nothing but stevie you don't sing as well as you used to you cant hit the high notes and you cant move around like before but no one cared we wanted to support you and show our loyalty but now we can see its not returned and our support is not appreciated so go ahead tour with tom have your fun, your fans will be supporting the mac and the great new music and shows they will do.
ReplyDeleteThe Mac will not be great without Stevie. LIndsey can no longer sing and Christine can no longer hit the high notes herself. This entire thing has been blown way out of proportion. Yes, it is disappointing that Stevie decided not to contribute to this CD but it's NOT the end of the world. What is really disappointing is how her so called fans have been berating her and bashing her for making a decision she has every right to make. You can't tell me that Lindsey or Christine wouldn't do the same thing if they wanted to. Stevie's current tour is doing very well and you can see that she is truly happy. She is NOT quitting Fleetwood Mac and is still interested in touring with them. For all we know, she may decide to add vocals to this CD. She is not touring in May and that is the "tentative" release date for this CD. So stop with all of this nonsense and wait to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteAnd she was on James Corden talking about how she doesn't care how many records are being sold - she was so stuck in her belief that the record business was over and so was her making new music - and then she puts an album out anyway and said screw it. So here we thought she was all about making records again, but really I guess all she's doing is fulfilling her contracts and being on her way. Such a different view - she's always grumpy after a FM tour the past 15 years and then eventually comes around again. Let's hope she does it in time - they're not getting any older.
ReplyDeleteIt just astounds me how much of a hypocrite she is sometimes with "the music business" and then being all "but it's my art I need to make music" and then back to "records don't sell"
Ugh.
ya Stevie fills nearly 10,000 seats arena I don't know about a Buckingham & Mcvie tour, She has not ever done anything like this before without FM if she did it was back in her early days and Lindsey well I have gone to his solo shows I think he's does great, I like them but he does only like at max 1000 seat halls. So don't think they could do a 10,000 seat arenas. Should be interesting to see what happens. I will support both, I already have my Stevie tickets 1st row and I will go to Buckingham and mcvie. Just because I am a fan of all members.
ReplyDeleteSo, if Stevie has enough money to count and spend, why doesn't she quit the band once and for all? But still she wants to tour with four people she can't stand. She should quit the band, go ahead with her solo tour around the world and leave the rest of the band by themselves. If she's not leaving the band it's because there's more money in there than doing a solo tour. She also needs them.
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't get is, if Stevie IS Fleetwood Mac and Fleetwood Mac can't be considered great without Stevie, that means that as the most important member of the band she has the moral obligation to contribute to this album. If not, then please don't come here and tell me the band isn't great without her . She doesn't care about the band, only about the money. And you can't justify what she said by bashing Lindsey and Christine, who had done nothing but support this band. SHE made the wrong choice for this band, not Lindsey and Christine.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy that Lindsey has finally reconnected with his true musical partner! The FM tour will be a bit lonely for the Queen of Rock 'n Roll.
wait...wasn't she the one who kept saying that she wanted christine to come back and that it wasn't much fun without her? then when she does come back, stevie bails on the idea of a new FM album? in interviews she gave after "24" and "in your dreams" were released, didn't she also say that she didn't care if it sold less than her other albums and that she was making music the way she wanted to? and, in interviews after "dreams," didn't she say that when she brought in lindsey to record "soldier's angel" that the two of them finally buried the hatchet, which should mean that they aren't fighting anymore? i love stevie, but i think there's more going on here than meets the eye...
ReplyDeleteWhat a waste, lost chance etc. etc. And what a lousy attitude Stevie is displaying here. I am so fed up with this nonsense talk of people not buying CDs anymore, that music is only streamed and stolen via internet (and that one is really on the brink of insolence, to colour everyone with the same brush on that topic, I know lots of people who still buy).
ReplyDeleteI really do hope that Lindsey has the balls to call that one „BuckinghamMcVie“ just to reply on eye level! And I do hope that this one sells really really well and tops the sales of Say you will or Stevies last two solo efforts, which despite all the touring and promoting, did not so well.
And that is simply because of what Lindsey so refreshingly modest says about Fleetwood Mac: The sum is greater than its parts.
That ist so true, especially with this band. As someone pointed out, Lindsey won’t fill the big arenas, so won’t Christine. They have to be toghether.
And Stevie’s glorious days as a songwriter (lyrics or melodies likewise) are quite over, that started back in the days of TISL. Every song on that album with her hands in the production the most are the weakest ones. It is the same with IYD and on 24KGold there are just old demos, some good and some bad.
Time for FM to part ways with Stevie. When you refuse to participate in a band project you are effectively no longer in the band, no matter what your sense of self-importance is or what you have done in the past. It's over unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame. Stevie wanted Christine back so badly and now that she is, Stevie won't do an new album possibly because she had a horrible time making Say you will with Lindsey. This reeks of Tango in the Night when she wasn't really there due to her issues and then she said they spent a few weeks mixing her into the album and doing her three tracks...she "felt" bad that she wasn't there and more involved. Is she going to regret this move? Maybe. At the moment, she is riding high on her solo tour and still dreaming of being a Heartbreaker. I don't wish anyone anything bad, it is just disappointing that there is this moment in time to celebrate Fleetwood Mac even if it is for the last time to honor Rumours 40th. I won't go see her shows because she kind of broke my heart on this. I am waiting to see a Buckingham McVie album and a tour...even if it is in a smaller setting, those venues are more intimate and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteThis whole sad episode shows how petty and small Stevie is. Don't worship her. Don't call her by mythological names. Stevie operates out of FEAR and MONEY.
ReplyDeleteNo one in there right mind would blow off fleetwood mac to go play tom petty , tom petty is not in the same league as fleetwood mac never will be, stevie seems to be doing things to try and spite the mac but it is going to bite her in the ass because she will lose a lot of fan's over this, it is a real FU to her and fleetwood mac fans.
ReplyDeleteDon't you think that Stevie has a right to do whatever she wants? Can't she do something that SHE enjoys without getting bashed and threatened over? I don't believe this is over fear and money - she can't even try to explain the process that a fan doesn't jump down her throat. Unless you are a recording artist and know what the process to record an album is like and the expense of recording one, you shouldn't comment - but you know what they say, the fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion.
ReplyDeleteTom Petty is a pretty big deal. In his career, Petty has sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I LOVE FM. But Tom Petty is a pretty legendary rock star in his own right.
ReplyDeletemaybe the Music Gods will conspire and bring us one more FM album before they retire/through in the towel. I think it would be a best seller and hit #1. It would be quite a story since its been 30 years since Tango; which sold second only to Rumors..... Please music gods or WB records.. help!
ReplyDeleteI think the album should be a Fleetwood Mac record, it's absolutely nuts to call it anything else. It may sell better, and Nicks MADE the choice not to join them in studio. So I hope is a Mac Album.
ReplyDeleteSadly Stevie sounds very bitter,without Lynsey to tweek her writing and music I hate to say it but she is not that brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of supporting millionaires. I think the Mac over toured in the last 5 or so years and Stevie is burned out of the Mac. I know I would be. Now they are Macdonalds
ReplyDeleteLindsey and Stevie must not be getting along again. Saying Christine is inspired but no mention of Lindsey is a jab, I think. One more FM album would sure be great for the fans and nice to hear a few new songs on a tour, too. I wish she'd reconsider but I see they are already planning the tour for next year, so...bummer. Unfortunately, Stevie doesn't come off well in this article. She sounds bitter. Listening to Linsey and Chris' album, can't you hear the Stevie parts in there? I wonder whose voice they used.
ReplyDeleteAt this point FM I'm sure has plenty material recorded. A new studio álbum surely can be launched with unreleased tracks. I undestand the voices are not like before but still the big fans de want to listen more and new FM material. Come on Stevie, Chris, Lindsey, John and Mick! FM albums will last for many generations!
ReplyDelete