Giving people what they want

The Mac are back
Croydon Guardian
Monday 27th October 2008

By Graham Moody »

They may have been in the music industry for more than four decades - but legendary rock group Fleetwood Mac are not quite ready to hang up their instruments just yet.

Next year the four-piece are hitting the road again on another world tour, the first time they will have worked together in four years - and they are even managing to keep the same line-up.

Sixteen different musicians have at some point played parts in the band’s history, but only Mick Fleetwood survives from the original members who first appeared at the Windsor Jazz and Blues Festival in 1967.

“It is sort of like the Rolling Stones or U2,” said Fleetwood, who will be joined on tour by John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.

“They take breaks but keep on coming back and keep going. If people stop watching and enjoying us then we will know they have had enough.”

The tour will be a new experience for the band as they have no plans to release a new album at the same time but will instead concentrate on playing their classics.

“For the first time we are not going to have a new album to go along with the tour so we are just going out to have a lot of fun, it will be totally unique,” said Fleetwood.

“When we do an album we tend to want to play the new stuff and people have to put up with songs they don’t know, this time we are going into our back catalogue and giving people what they want.”

Despite being in his sixties Fleetwood is still full of love for the music industry and is currently touring with his blues band that includes former Mac Rick Vito.

“It is the same thing as if you were talking to BB King or Tony Bennett now,” he said.

“There is a bunch of people that tend to come from my generation of musicians where we started this not to be rich and famous, we started it because we wanted to be playing the music we love.

“We enjoy playing so much that we have been doing four of five gigs a week. Rick is playing his arse off on guitar.

“we have been playing together for a while and we take on some great old Fleetwood Mac stuff I haven’t played for 40 years and then we do some classics or not classics that we just like.”

The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, Fairfield Halls, Park Lane, November 2, 8pm, £22.50 / £25. Call 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk.

Christine attends Mick Fleetwood's Show

Christine McVie sat behind the Soundboard during Mick's Sold Out Marlowe Theater show in Canterbury on October 25th.

The Mick Fleetwood Band continue their UK tour with only a few dates remaining:

• Oct. 28th - Liverpool, UK Philharmonic Hall
• Oct. 31st - Holmfirth, UK Picturedrome
• Nov. 1st - Ipswich, UK Ipswich Regent Theatre
• Nov. 2nd - Croydon, UK Fairfield
• Nov. 3rd - Saint Albans, UK The Arena

Nicks in Motor City

Stevie performed in Detroit last night... a random show to open the Motor City Casino's venue "Soundboard"... Some clips from last night:

The beat goes on for Mick after 40 years

Yorkshire Post

He was in one of the biggest bands of the '70s, so what's Mick Fleetwood doing in Holmfirth? He talks to Sarah Freeman about growing older, his love of blues and the infamous Brit Awards.

Mick Fleetwood has more than earned his place in musical history.

The driving force behind Fleetwood Mac, the Cornwall born-drummer lived through the excesses of the 1970s, battled drug addiction, survived bankruptcy and having to up sticks to America, and he remains the only original member of the band which has released 50 albums to date.

However, after playing pretty much every stadium going, next week Fleetwood's large 6ft 6ins frame will be occupying a much smaller stage, when he brings his blues band to the Holmfirth Picturedrome.

"I'm a blues man at heart and playing these intimate gigs is a real joy," says the 61-year-old.

"Everything from the Beatles to the current crop of guitar bands have their roots in blues and it was a big part of the Fleetwood Mac legacy.

"There's something about that sound which gets people's feet tapping, it's a real emotional connection. On a tour like this there's not the huge circus which accompanies a Fleetwood Mac gig. It's just four guys in a band playing for other die-hard blues fans."

During his 40 odd years in the business, Fleetwood has had the opportunity to play with the likes of Eric Clapton and BB King, but he gives the impression that as long as he had his drum sticks and an audience he'd be happy.

"When I started out, people played music for the sheer love of it," he says.

"Of course we all wanted to get signed, but that was always seen as a bonus. Now bands have too high expectations and the music industry is a much bigger machine. People are dropped if they don't make it after the first couple of years and to me that doesn't seem right. Bands need time to mature, to experiment, but today they aren't given the time to develop.

"For me and many of the other bands around in the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was never about the money or the lifestyle, it was about getting out there and playing to audiences."

While drumming may have been his true love, he did indulge in the lifestyle which came with fame, squandering thousands on drink and drugs. He admits he never bothered about his finances and, despite earning millions, in the mid-1980s, Fleetwood was declared bankrupt.

"I screwed some things up back then," says.

"I am honest about that side of my life.

"I spent a lot of money on drugs, I went bankrupt and personally things weren't going well. I don't mind talking about it, it's not something I want to cover up, but I do get fed up when that's all people want to talk about. Throughout my life, good times and bad, the one thing which has always been constant is music.

"A lot of other things were affected, but whatever else happened during my journey through life, the music has kept on going."

If Fleetwood became a pin-up for the perils of the music business, he also became a laughing stock after co-hosting the Brit Awards with Samantha Fox back in 1989.

The live show was shambolic, lines were fluffed, guests failed to show up and Fox and Fleetwood looked like an increasingly desperate odd couple.

For the following 18 years the show was pre-recorded.

"It was so not our fault, but it was absolutely crucifying," he says.

"We had rehearsed, we knew our cues, but on the night we were confronted by 300 screaming boy band fans who completely drowned out the people on the walkie talkies.

"I felt really sorry for poor little Samantha, but hey these things happen."

Now living in Hawaii with his second wife, Lynn, and twin six-year-old daughters Ruby and Tessa, life is certainly much calmer than it was back in Fleetwood Mac's heyday.

"I am the happiest I have ever been or at least the most content," says Fleetwood.

"I'm more aware of the need to be involved in my daughters' lives and I'm much more involved with the family than I was before.

"We are all in control of our own destiny, but when you're in the music business, sometimes it's hard not to believe your own hype."

Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, Holmfirth Picturedrome, Oct 31.

Stevie Delux Package This Saturday October 25th

MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit is offering Delux Packages for your night at the Casino to see Stevie Nicks "For One Night Only"...

To those going... Have a good time!!

REVIEW: Lindsey Buckingham - Last show of the Gift of Screws Tour... New York City

By: Stephen Rodrick
New York MagazinePhoto by: Michael Meyer

October 20, 2008

Lindsey Buckingham Tears Up, Plays Guitar With One Hand

Lindsey Buckingham is a certain type of Californian. Only seven years younger than Brian Wilson, he never hit the bloat phase, physically or musically. Now 59, he still sports sunken cheekbones and skinny jeans. Wearing a tight, black leather jacket last night at the Nokia, he resembled a louche Roman oracle. His music, particularly his fingerpicking guitar playing, has always been tightly wound, a neurotic style rooted in California’s cocaine-addled seventies. It has never packed the joy of the Beach Boys: Wilson’s orchestral masterpiece is the ecstatic "Good Vibrations;" Buckingham produced the beautiful but accusatory "Tusk."

Bliss eluded Buckingham well into his forties. He brooded over pressure from his occasionally insolvent Fleetwood Mac bandmates to give his best songs to them. His always-interesting, but weak-selling, solo projects were pushed back repeatedly. But that’s all over now. Buckingham is now married with three children. (They're prominently featured in the, yes, joyful video for “It Was You.”) He’s released two excellent solo records in two years, Under the Skin, and the new Gift of the Screws. Last night, he played about half his set from the two albums, tossing just enough Mac hits into the mix to keep the wolves at bay. The new songs center on his ethereal guitar playing and late-in-life serenity. Unlike most "happy" rockers, though, Buckingham has plenty of angst still in the tank. About halfway through the show, he launched into a monologue about the difference between his "big machine" work with Fleetwood Mac and "smaller machine" solo career. He discussed the left brain and the right brain, and the concept of esoterica. This brought a whoop from a fan. Buckingham grinned: "Yeah esoterica!"

Not that he left his arena-rock roots completely behind. His guitar playing ventured into the show-offy — at one point he played with just one hand — and whoever came up with the idea of a five-minute drum solo featuring the drummer playing his head like a coconut needs to be checked back into rehab. Still, Buckingham seemed grateful for the opportunity to play his songs without worrying about Stevie, Christie, John, or Mick. He closed with "Time Precious Time" from Gift of Screws, a lamentation about patience and wasted moments, and perhaps a nod to not being able to watch kids fathered in your fifties grow into adulthood. His guitar playing seemed to disappear into itself. This was the last night of his tour, and by the end of the song Buckingham had tears in his eyes. He mouthed the last word of the song — "remember" — smiled, and walked off into the darkness.

Mick Fleetwood - Johnnie Walker BBC Radio 2 Interview

Johnny Walker - BBC Radio 2
October 19, 2008

Johnnie chats to Mick Fleetwood about his new album and tour with the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band. Plus talks about the Rumours era, the upcoming 2009 Fleetwood Mac Tour.

Interview is approximately 30 minutes, a couple songs thrown in as well, one from the new Mick Fleetwood Live Album - Blue Again.

Interview To download - right click and save.

Stevie and Jimmy...

So when was the last time we saw these two in the same room together??
(City of Hope Gala 10.15.08)


















Gavin Rossdale and Stevie Nicks (City of Hope Gala 10.15.08)

You could be standing next to this man

Spotlight 29 Casino Welcomes Mick Fleetwood for a Weekend of Wining, Dining and Singing

Friday October 17, 2008

COACHELLA, Calif., Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- How often do you get to spend the weekend with a superstar? Now, Spotlight 29 Casino gives you the chance when it welcomes music icon Mick Fleetwood for a weekend of wine, fine dining and a concert like none other.

The fun begins on Friday, November 14 in Spotlight's JEM Steakhouse with the Mick Fleetwood Wine Dinner. This incredible night features a four-star dinner from the famous JEM Steakhouse menu, paired to perfection with wine from the Mick Fleetwood Private Cellars collection.

With only 120 seats available, this truly intimate experience is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to wine and dine with a music legend. The $250 ticket price includes a VIP ticket to Fleetwood's Saturday concert, an autographed bottle of Mike Fleetwood Private Cellars wine and a souvenir photo with Fleetwood. The evening begins at 6 p.m. For paid reservations, call Diane at (760) 775-2853 or Micaela at (760) 775-2880.

continue to full article

Mick Fleetwood - Back to the blues

by Andrew Baldwin
Huddersfield Daily Examiner
October 17, 2008

AT 6ft 6in, Mick Fleetwood has always been head and shoulders above mere mortals.

And now the iconic co-founder of Fleetwood Mac is heading to Holmfirth to celebrate his blues heritage with his new band, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band.

The band will perform classic original songs like Oh Well, Rattlesnake Shake, Albatross, Black Magic Woman and many more at the Picturedrome on Friday, October 31.

Rick Vito, Lenny Castellanos and Mark Johnstone will join Mick for what promises to be a musical experience that combines 40 years of excellence in blues and rock.

At the age of 61, drummer Mick spends his days in the Hawaiian sunshine.

“I’m coming all the way from paradise to be with you,” he laughs.

“It’s a long way to swim.”

What can we look forward to from the show?

A trib to the Mac’s early days, that’s what, when it drew heavily on American blues music.

“You won’t be hearing Rhiannon or Dreams. This is about my early days. It’s blues with a splattering of rock’n’roll.

“Back in 1968 when Fleetwood Mac started that was the music that we played.”

Rick Vito, veteran bluesman and former Fleetwood Mac vocalist and lead guitarist, is at the front of the group.

“A lot of guys can play the licks but Rick has the tone and that’s so important in real blues,” says Mick.

For tickets and information, visit http://www.picturedrome.net or ring the Picturedrome on 01484 689759.

REVIEW: Lindsey Buckingham Brings His Big Love to Chicago

Photos by BARRY BRECHEISEN

Written by KEN KLOES
Photos by LAUREN MUCH
Lumino Magazine
Thursday, 16 October 2008

October 2nd was a night of many temptations. A much anticipated Vice-presidential debate was playing on the telly, Beck, Alanis Morrisette, and Weezer were in town, the Cubs and Dodgers playoff game were at Wrigley. If that still wasn’t enough, Lindsey Buckingham was playing an intimate show at the House of Blues. The large, but not sold out crowd, made their choice and showed up to see the guitarist of Fleetwood Mac fame confidently display a night of his guitar playing prowess.

On the eve of his 59th birthday, Lindsey and his band took over the stage appropriately opened up with “Great Day,” featuring two guitars seamlessly trading off riffs. Lindsey known for playing his guitar finger style can cover more ground on a fret board than the average guitar player.

Lindsey followed with “Love Runs Deeper,” also from the new album Gift of Screws. The soaring solo resonated off the great acoustics of the venue. Simple notes that rock with passion elicits comparisons to the classic musical mantra from the Fleetwood Mac mega hit “Go Your Own Way.” Many of the songs played tonight were showcased from the new album. Previously Buckingham’s solo work tended to be experimental in nature but this new release contains mostly songs that are easy to grab on to and in turn accessible.

While “Trouble” was playing, if you closed your eyes you could swear that you were at a Fleetwood Mac concert with Christie McVie and Stevie Nicks were singing backup. It was blatantly obvious how much influence Lindsey had on the sound of his former breakout band and intermittent touring mates. All night long easily recognized Mac songs were mixed in with Lindsey’s own pieces keeping the attentive crowd guessing and eager for the next selection.

Mid-concert, while introducing “Big Love,” Lindsey shared a little insight that when he wrote the song most of the people around him were all in screwed up relationships, hurting themselves with drugs and booze in Malibu. It was a volatile time and he was glad to have lived through it and persevere. He now has 3 children with his beautiful wife Kristen, whom he introduced and called out onto the stage.

Always the performer, after finishing yet another well crafted song, Lindsey could be found at the front of the stage hugging his guitar and soaking up the adulation from the enthusiastic and polite middle aged audience. An experienced showman, he knows how to give the people what they came to see. His solos were performed in a trance, emphasizing simple yet powerful riffs packed with passion and musical intensity.

An unexpected highlight of the night was of all things the drum solo, which was entertaining to say the least. Half way through, the percussionist cut his ring finger on the drum he was beating with his bare hands. If you didn’t see him sucking on his finger between beats or showing the drum tech his bleeding appendage you wouldn’t have known that something was amiss. A true performer, he carried on and only bandaged up after he was done.

The show was beginning to take on a special character as they continued with “I’m so Afraid,” featuring an epic solo that had just a hint of Pink Floyd in it. Lindsey held a single note for what seemed like forever…long, intense, passionate…a holy shit moment. Follow that with a goose bump-raising rendition of “Go Your Own Way,” where Lindsey leaned into the front row and let them touch his guitar as he played the signature solo with all he had, now the house was rocking!

The band consisted of Neale Heywood on guitar, Walfredo Reyes who comes from a family of percussionists on drums, and Brett Tuggle, whom Lindsey referred to as the genius of the band, on guitar, bass and keyboards. Lindsey was clearly grateful for the musician’s life he leads and once again proved his commitment and passion to playing music from the depths of his being.

Lindsey Buckingham closed the show with “Time Precious Time,” a mind-blowing finger picking piece that demonstrated yet one more time why this artist is timeless. In the end, no one seemed to be disappointed in the choice of entertainment for the evening.

Stevie Nicks and Jimmy Iovine opened the presentation to Morris

Morris Receives City Of Hope Award
October 16, 2008
Billboard Magazine

By Ann Donahue, L.A.

In a presentation that was both moving and jubilant, Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Doug Morris received the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award Wednesday night (Oct. 14) at a benefit dinner that raised a record $10 million for the Duarte, California-based cancer research and treatment hospital.

Morris and his family donated $1 million of that, in a tribute to longtime City of Hope dinner chair Zach Horowitz, and his father.

"Tonight the heart of this industry is in this big tent - and it's a big heart and a generous heart," Morris said. 1,900 people attended the event, which was held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.

Stevie Nicks and Jimmy Iovine opened the presentation to Morris. Nicks recalled a childhood friend who received treatment for leukemia at City of Hope; during the course of treatment the woman realized she was pregnant. "[City of Hope] said to my beautiful friend 'What can we do for you?'" Nicks said. "And she said 'Keep me alive long enough to have this baby.' And they did."

Nicks worked closely with Morris during this trying time in her life and graciously remembered his support. "He listened to me cry on the phone when Robin was dying," she said. "And he made it OK. He made it all OK. That's who our Doug is."

Iovine spoke of Morris's generosity on a professional level. "Doug's mantra has always been that the people who do the job have to get the credit," he says. "He knows no other way."

The entertainment for the evening was billed as the "Doug Morris Motown Revue," a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the founding of Motown. "Few executives these days are true music people," said Berry Gordy. "Doug Morris is one of them."

Another Universal executive with a definite musical bent, Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair, conducted the Universal Orchestra through a set that literally had attendees dancing in the aisles.

The full set list:

Mariah Carey - "I'll Be There" originally by The Jackson Five
Michael McDonald - "Living For The City" originally by Stevie Wonder
Rihanna - "Where Did Our Love Go" originally by The Supremes
Lionel Richie - "Easy" originally by The Commodores
Clique Girlz - "Stop! In The Name Of Love" originally by The Supremes
Erykah Badu - "Mary Jane" originally by Rick James
Maroon 5 - "My Cherie Amour" originally by Stevie Wonder
Lee Ann Womack - "Love Child" originally by The Supremes
Luis Fonsi & David Bisbal - "Overjoyed" originally by Stevie Wonder
Duffy - "I Second That Emotion" originally by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Keyshia Cole - "Ribbon In The Sky" originally by Stevie Wonder
Jamie Cullum - "Money (That's What I Want)" originally by Barrett Strong
Robin Thicke - "Lately" originally by Stevie Wonder
Steve Nicks - "Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart" originally by The Supremes

The event ended with the Clique Girlz and the audience serenading Morris with a karaoke version of The Chiffon's "Sweet Talkin' Guy."