Review: Fleetwood Mac Grand Rapids, MI Jan 20, 2015

Photo: Chris Clark
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Fleetwood Mac stirs up old emotions for strong Van Andel Arena show
By John Serba
mlive.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The anguished interpersonal drama in Fleetwood Mac is long dead, but something that informed the songs and still defines the band. Judging from its performance at Van Andel Arena Tuesday night, the group’s driving force is now something resembling joy.

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd, a happy and reflective Fleetwood Mac were joined by keyboardist and singer Christine McVie, who’s participating in the group’s latest tour after an absence dating back to 1998. So consider the reunion of the band’s five core members another lingering dysfunction conquered, and celebrated early in the show. Opening number “The Chain” showcased the strong vocal harmonies of singer Stevie Nicks, guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and McVie, who was then spotlighted for “You Make Loving Fun.” It was a grand re-introduction for McVie.

Taking the microphone later in the show, Buckingham discussed how Fleetwood Mac’s notorious ups and downs are key to its essence; he referred to a time when the band was swayed by the false idea that a certain lifestyle was necessary to create rock ‘n’ roll – a thinly veiled reference to his long-disintegrated relationship with Nicks, and the band’s past drug use. His subsequent solo rendering of “Big Love” swayed any accusations of insincerity, featuring an impassioned vocal and intricate, aggressive finger-picked guitar work.

The number was immediately followed by sentimental classic song “Landslide,” featuring only Nicks - gorgeous of voice - and Buckingham. As she sustained a note near the conclusion, she stretched her hand out to Buckingham’s and smiled with sad eyes. They then played “Never Going Back Again,” and as the song ended, she stood with her back to the audience as the guitarist hugged her sweetly.

Sure, maybe such drama can be a little corny in light of the infamous Fleetwood Mac soap opera, but it seemed warm, genuine and inclusive, the audience understanding the group’s complex dynamic.

Of course, that’s smack in the realm of expectation for a Fleetwood Mac live performance this deep into the 21st century. Same goes for the set list - 24 songs, you know all of them - and the production, which featured a towering high-definition screen.

Despite her mystical aura having faded over the decades, Nicks was still in vintage form - silk scarves and a tambourine, fringe for days, high heels you can see from the moon. And her voice was still as husky as it is sweet, slow like smoldering honey during “Dreams,” “Gypsy” and “Silver Springs.” During “Gold Dust Woman,” she held her head in her hands and shuffled from one end of the stage to another, as if possessed by the musical psychedelia behind her, then curtsied deeply at song’s conclusion.

Where Nicks’ voice and Buckingham’s guitar gave the group its flamboyance and star power, McVie’s strong vocal work, along with drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie, were its musical foundation. “World Turning” featured Fleetwood playing a pointless drum solo, too long by half; at least he showed no signs of the stomach flu that derailed the band’s Saturday concert in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Last September, another boomer favorite, the Eagles, played on the same stage to the same generation of audience (both of whom can swallow an expensive ticket – Fleetwood seats topped out at $180, and that’s before the ripoff secondary market jacks up the prices). Where the Eagles were nearly perfect in performance but ultimately antiseptic, Fleetwood Mac was occasionally rough around the edges – a sloppy run through “Go Your Own Way” closed the main set – and mixed loud and a little distorted, a reminder that this is a rock ‘n’ roll band still capable of stirring up a little drama on stage.

7 things you need to know about the 'On with the Show' tour

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Fleetwood Mac, one of the most volatile groups in rock history, is back on the road with its classic lineup.

For the first time since 1998, when the group was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, singer/keyboardist Christine McVie is touring with singer Stevie Nicks, drummer Mick Fleetwood, guitarist Lindsay Buckingham and bassist John McVie. Oddly, it was less the group's infamous in-fighting - between she and ex-husband John, and the very public battles between ex-lovers Nicks and Buckingham - and more her fear of flying that prompted her retirement.

That's great news for fans of of Fleetwood Mac's signature 1977 album "Rumors," one of the biggest-selling albums ever in the United States - 20 million copies, double-diamond status, something only nine records have achieved. More tracks from that album are being featured on the current "On with the Show" tour, which is among the key things you should know about the band's current jaunt:

1. The return of McVie is big. As recently as 2012, Nicks wasn’t hopeful McVie would return, telling Rolling Stone, “there's no more a chance of that happening than an asteroid hitting the earth. She is done. You know when you look in somebody's face and you can just tell? She doesn't want to do it anymore.”

Obviously, that changed, and we didn’t have to be obliterated by a rock from outer space to get there. McVie, 71, overcame her phobia, joined the band on stage in 2013, and agreed to participate in the “On With the Show” tour. Earlier this month, Nicks told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, “When we went on the road, I realized what an amazing friend she’d been of mine that I had lost…I never want her to ever go out of my life again, and that has nothing to do with music and everything to do with her and I as friends.”

2. It'll be McVie's first Grand Rapids performance with the band since 1971. She was absent for Fleetwood Mac's previous local show, a 2003 date at Van Andel Arena, which drew 12,000. (Nicks has been to town since, co-headlining the arena with Don Henley in 2005, for 6,000 fans.) Prior to that, the band, then featuring McVie, hadn't stopped by since a 1971 gig at the Grand Valley Armory, replacing an AWOL Deep Purple. If you say you were there, there's a good chance you're lying.

3. The second tour leg is now in full swing. The first leg of "On with the Show" kicked off in Minneapolis in Sept., 2014, and wrapped in Tampa. Grand Rapids is the third date of the second leg, which will stretch to Europe and conclude with a pair of Dublin gigs in July.

4. Ticket prices are high. That should come as no surprise to anyone – they top out at $179.50 (because $180 is apparently 50 cents too much), with “platinum seats” ranging from $275 to $450. That kind of dough hasn't dissuaded anyone, considering the Van Andel show is close to selling out. Compare that basic-ticket cost to fellow fogies- er, classic-rock act the Eagles, whose 2014 Van Andel Arena date topped out at $149.50. Fleetwood Mac's 2003 show cost up to $127, a noticable increase over the 1971 concert, which cost $3.

5. The new set list. With McVie back on stage, songs with three-part harmonies – e.g., “Rumors” track “You Make Loving Fun” – returned to the set. Expect a show just like those on the 2014 tour leg, with 24 songs, counting a healthy chunk of “Rumors”; it stretches to roughly three hours.

6. The reviews are good. There's no shortage of praise for McVie's return - the Tampa Bay Times said a Dec., 2014 show was better than Fleetwood Mac's previous, McVie-less performances, saying "The lightness and sweetness that McVie brought to the table counterbalanced – perhaps even enhanced – the rest of Fleetwood Mac’s hit-loaded set." Of a Denver performance, the Huff Post gushed, "the stunning show was... blessed with the valuable missing piece of the puzzle that turns an already priceless picture into a beautiful work of pop art."

7. This may be the end. Buckingham said as much during a recent interview with PBS talk-show host Tavis Smiley. A new album, to be the band's first since 2003's "Say You Will," is in the works - long in the works, but still in the works - and won't be completed until the tour is over. If you believe this claim - and who can blame you if you don't, considering how difficult it is for the likes of Cher, the Eagles, Ozzy Osbourne, Motley Crue, KISS and other acts to retire - then this may be the last Grand Rapids show ever for Fleetwood Mac.

Source: MLive

Drummer who inspired Stevie Nicks "For What It's Worth" has passed away

Dallas Taylor, former drummer for Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young passed away Sunday at the age of 66.

Dallas was best known for his work with CSNY between 1969 and 1973. After parting ways with CSNY and leaving music all together he became a drug and alcohol interventionist in Los Angeles after having his own substance abuse problems.

His wife Patti Mcgovern-Taylor confirmed the news via a post on Facebook.

1990 Entertainment Tonight Profile:

In 1993 when Stevie Nicks admitted herself to the Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital in Venice Beach for her addiction to Klonopin, where it took her 47 days to detox from the drug, Dallas Taylor was there with her the whole time. - The Telegraph (2007)

In the "In Your Dreams" promo footage and "In Your Dreams" documentary Stevie talks about "the drummer" that saved her life while fresh out of rehab and on a tour bus for the first time during the Street Angel Tour in 1994. (advance the video to the 1:09 mark).

So this weekend definitely hasn't been the best weekend in Stevie's world with Mick being ill and now with Dallas' passing.  

Official Statement from Fleetwood Mac regarding last night's show

"Last night's Fleetwood Mac show in Lincoln, Nebraska ended a few songs early when the band's founder and drummer Mick Fleetwood became ill with the stomach flu. At this time, the band is still scheduled to perform in Grand Rapids, MI on Tuesday."

Fleetwood Mac ends Lincoln concert early due to band member illness

Fleetwood Mac had to call its set early.

Drummer and founding member Mick Fleetwood came down with an unexplained illness, and the band played as much as it could before members called it a night.

"Mick is really sick. We don't know exactly what to do," Stevie Nicks said, adding that he suddenly became ill and was throwing up.

The band, set to play more than two hours, called off eight of its songs and finished the show with "Go Your Own Way" and "Songbird" almost an hour early.

"We will come back," Nicks said. You'll get one and a half full-on shows. We will come back. We're so sorry."

"It's really unfortunate," added Lindsey Buckingham. "We're really sorry, guys."

Souce: Omaha.com

The band played up to Never Going Back Again, and Steve, Mick's drum technician filled in on Go Your Own Way. Then the show was over.  See setlist below and what was left out.

Mick was ill the night before in Saint Paul as well and I understand the Meet and Greet was also cancelled.  Didn't think it was this severe.

Get well Mick!!


Here's how the setlist played out

The Chain
You Make Loving Fun
Dreams
Second Hand News
Rhiannon
Everywhere
I Know I'm Not Wrong
Tusk
Sisters of the Moon
Say You Love Me
Seven Wonders
Big Love
Landslide
Never Going Back Again
Over My Head 
Gypsy 
Little Lies 
Gold Dust Woman 
I'm So Afraid 

Go Your Own Way (with Steve, Micks Drum Tech)

Encore:
World Turning 
Don't Stop 
Silver Springs 

Encore 2:

Songbird


Mick Fleetwood illness cuts Fleetwood Mac concert short
By L. Kent Wolgamott
Lincoln Journal Star

Midway through Fleetwood Mac’s Pinnacle Bank Arena concert Saturday night, drummer Mick Fleetwood suddenly became ill.

“Mick is really sick,” Stevie Nicks told the crowd, adding that Fleetwood was backstage throwing up. “We feel terrible, but we can’t really make him play. Give us a minute, and we’ll figure out what to do.”

That turned out to be playing two more songs.

A drum tech named Steve took over Fleetwood’s kit for “Go Your Own Way,” which is usually the song the band plays before two encores.

Then, after a short break, Christine McVie returned to the stage at a grand piano, playing and singing “Songbird” accompanied by guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

“Poor old Mick is really sick,” McVie said. “I sing this for him and for all of you.”

“Songbird” has been the final song on the band’s “On With the Show” tour, usually capping a 2½ hour show. Saturday’s truncated set ran just over 90 minutes.

“In all of our 40 years, this has never happened,” Nicks said.

Prior to the abrupt ending, Fleetwood Mac had pumped out 14 songs, all familiar to the 14,000-plus that packed the arena Saturday -- and sounded and looked good doing it.

Saturday's show was the second of 2015 for Fleetwood Mac and the 41st of 80 total dates on the "On With the Show" tour. That meant a fresh Mac, but one already tightened by 41 previous shows. And it is a complete band, thanks to the return of McVie, who came back to the group last year after a 16-year absence.

Her songs, "You Make Loving Fun,” “Everywhere” and “Say You Love Me" were highlights simply because they hadn't been heard live for years.

And she can still sing -- as can Nicks and Buckingham. Some of the songs have been dropped in key. But that didn't change the fact that the Mac -- now in their mid-60s to early 70s -- remains a fine band.

Perhaps evidence of how quickly Fleetwood’s illness hit him, I twice noted his solid drumming in my notes and the tightness of his work with bassist John McVie.

The show began with “The Chain,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Dreams,” the song of the night that features Nicks, the biggest star in the Mac constellation. She, of course, connected with “Rhiannon,” doing one of her shawl dances while effectively delivering the witchy lyrics with her rough, seductive vocals.

The University of Nebraska marching band didn't turn up for "Tusk.” But Fleetwood Mac still rumbled and roared with Christine McVie strapping on an accordion to add to the crowd-pleasing stomp.

"Tusk" and its follow-up, "Sisters of the Moon," were among the loudest songs of a show that, while far from ear-splitting, was louder than I anticipated -- a good thing.

A good percentage of Saturday's crowd would have been little kids or, in Buckingham's words "not even born yet" during Fleetwood Mac's mid-'70s heyday.

"We're pulling in all ages. I love it. We must have done something right," Buckingham said before doing "Big Love" solo, demonstrating he's a wicked guitarist on a hollow-body electric.

He then switched to acoustic and was joined by Nicks for a touching version of "Landslide" that she dedicated to one of her best friends, Lisa, who she said is from "this amazing city" and must be hurting. "Lisa, all the people in this room are sending you love, every one of them," she said at the song”s end.

Buckingham then did a solo version of “Never Going Back” using the acoustic. Then came Nicks’ announcement of Fleetwood’s illness.

During her announcement, she said that Fleetwood Mac would return and do a show and a half, but that is unlikely, as are refunds for the shortened concert.

Reviews: Fleetwood Mac return to the Twin Cities January 16, 2015

Fleetwood Mac reprises familiar flair at Xcel Energy Center

by: Jon Bream
Star Tribune

Review: Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham injected their usual emotional energy at Xcel Energy Center in opening the second leg of the band's reunion tour.

Pink did it. So did Bruno Mars.

Last year, they both came back to the Twin Cities for the second time on the same tour and they were noticeably better the second time around.

Fleetwood Mac returned to the Twin Cities on Friday for a second time in four months and they didn’t do it. They weren’t better. But they were noticeably different even though they played the exact same set list at the Xcel Energy Center as they had at Target Center in September.

The Minneapolis show was all about the return of singer/keyboardist Christine McVie after a 16-year retirement. That concert, the first on the On with the Show Tour, was about giddy excitement, a rush of adrenaline and a warm, fuzzy feeling that this fractured family was somehow whole again. It was an evening of the democratic, polite, respectful Fleetwood Mac.

Continue to the full review with photos at Star Tribune


In Twin Cities encore, Fleetwood Mac is more relaxed, in sync
By Ross Raihala
Twincities.com

The full "Rumours"-era lineup of Fleetwood Mac returned to the Twin Cities on Friday night for a triumphant, wildly entertaining performance at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 15,000 grinning, cheering fans.

Christine McVie, who retired in 1998 after the first "Rumours" reunion, rejoined the group last year. After spending time in the studio with Lindsey Buckingham for some songwriting and recording sessions (Stevie Nicks was busy promoting her solo album), the band hit the road for a tour that kicked off Sept. 30 at Minneapolis' Target Center.

How much has the show changed in 3 1/2 months? Not at all, judging by the set list. The group played the same two dozen songs and even indulged in some of the same stage banter.

Beneath the surface, though, the evening radiated with a looser, more casual vibe. Back in September, the band played with nervous energy, flubbing some early numbers and echoing the same "I can't believe I'm seeing this" vibe as the audience.

But the 39 concerts that followed, and several weeks off for the holidays, left us with a more polished, in-sync version of the band.

Continue to the full review at Twin Cities

BIG LOVE
GOLD DUST WOMAN

Fleetwood Mac return to Lincoln for the first time in more than 30 years - Saturday

Fleetwood Mac back in full force
By L. Kent Wolgamott
Lincoln Journal Star

On Saturday, Fleetwood Mac will return to Lincoln for the first time in more than 30 years, bringing its full “Rumours”-era lineup to Pinnacle Bank Arena for a career-spanning nearly three-hour show.

That lineup -- singer Stevie Nicks, keyboardist Christine McVie, guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood -- initially came together in 1974.

Before that, Fleetwood Mac was a very different band.

Formed in 1967 by guitarist Peter Green and named after former John Mayall bandmates Fleetwood and John McVie, Fleetwood Mac Mach One was a noted outfit in the British blues revival of the late '60s/early '70s.

Photos: Ted Kirk
VIEW GALLERY

After Green left the group and it passed through several lineup changes, Fleetwood, the McVies and then-guitarist Bob Welch relocated to Los Angeles. When Welch left the band, Buckingham was recruited to replace him. He insisted on bringing along his musical partner and girlfriend, Stevie Nicks. They joined Fleetwood Mac on New Year’s Eve 1974.

The next year saw the release of the album “Fleetwood Mac,” which triggered the band’s rise to the stardom that has endured since.

'Rumours'

In 1977, Fleetwood Mac released its 11th album, but just its second with its new lineup. Primarily written by Nicks, Buckingham and Christine McVie, the album chronicled the breakups of the two band couples with songs that were transformed into enduring pop anthems.

“Rumours” includes “Say You Love Me,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” “Don’t Stop,” “You Make Loving Fun,” all of them hits. It sold millions out of the box, turning Fleetwood Mac into an arena-filling band. It continued to sell strongly, eventually becoming one of the top-selling albums of all time.

As of 2009, “Rumours” had sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. It is one of four albums to receive the Recording Industry Association of America’s “Diamond” award, recognizing sales of 20 million copies in the U.S.

WOW! Stevie Nicks is on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine! "A Rock Goddess Looks Back"

Okay... This is pretty amazing... Not only that Stevie's on the next cover of Rolling Stone magazine.. but this picture!  Beautiful!!

 

Stevie Nicks Looks Back: Inside Rolling Stone's New Issue

The rock goddess appears solo on our cover for the first time since 1981 and performs an exclusive acoustic "Gypsy"

Visit Rollingstone.com to read an excerpt from the magazine.  Stevie's feature in the magazine is 9 pages long so make sure you head on out and grab a copy.

 

 

Stevie's last solo cover of Rolling Stone was way back in 1981.  In total with Fleetwood Mac including this cover, this makes it her 6th cover. Congrats Stevie!

STEVIE NICKS "24 KARAT GOLD - SONGS FROM THE VAULT"

Out Now! Order from Stevienicksofficial.com

STEVIE NICKS ON FLEETWOOD MAC BANDMATE LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM

'WE DISAGREE ON JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING'
by Jon Bream
Star Tribune

Stevie Nicks is thrilled to be on tour again with Fleetwood Mac and singer/keyboardist Christine McVie. But she sounds daunted by the band’s schedule, which brings them back to the Twin Cities this week.

Stevie Nicks sounds exhilarated and exhausted.

She’s thrilled to be on tour again with Fleetwood Mac and singer/keyboardist Christine McVie, who has rejoined after a 16-year retirement. But she sounds daunted by the band’s schedule: 40 shows last fall, and now 40 more North American concerts, 20-some gigs in Europe and then possibly a tour of Australia.

“That is four shows a week, three hours a show. We are all over 65. That was a very difficult tour,” said Nicks, whose band launched its On With the Show Tour in Minneapolis in September, and returns Friday to kick off the second leg of the tour at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center.

“It’s not like you the watcher aren’t going to think, ‘They are great and they are strong and they are athletic.’ But we hobble back to our rooms after the show is over and hot water bottles are being filled and everyone is going, ‘I don’t think I’ll make it to the end of the week.’ ”

Continue to the full interview at Star Tribune

STEVIE NICKS "24 KARAT GOLD - SONGS FROM THE VAULT"

Out Now! Order from Stevienicksofficial.com

Stevie Nicks, spills her carryall for Us

US Magazine January 19, 2015

What's In My Bag? Better safe than sorry! Stevie Nicks, 66, spills her carryall for Us

The Fleetwood Mac songstress is ready to go her own way. "I feel that if the plane goes down or I'm stuck on an island, all I'll have is my purse," quips Nicks, whose eighth solo studio album, 24 Karat Gold: Songs From the Vault, is out now. "So I always have any medicines I might need - and a Haim CD, just in case." The music legend lets Us peek inside her Hayden-Harnett satchel.

If It Ain't Broke . . .

"I'm super-old-school. I have a red Nokia flip phone for emergencies. I call it the 'fire phone.' Otherwise, I'll only talk on the phone if I'm near a landline and really have the time."

Naturally Smooth

"(Bandmate Christine McVie) gave me a tin of Surfer's Salve from Maui. It's great for your lips and cuticles. I also use a lysine balm, which helps undo damage from really drying lipsticks."

Freshen Up

"I have about 10 packs of 5 gum, the React flavor. I chew it whenever I come off stage for a break."

Picture Perfect

"Nothing compares to the old Polaroids, but I always have my Canon digital camera. It's scratched to death!"

Tough as Nails

"The best thing in the world is Poshe's topcoat polish. If you use it as both a base and topper, your manicure will last three weeks!"

STEVIE NICKS "24 KARAT GOLD - SONGS FROM THE VAULT"

Out Now! Order from Stevienicksofficial.com

Lindsey Buckingham Live at Largo at The Coronet January 12, 2015

Lindsey performed a short set last night at Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles. "Shut Us Down", "Never going Back Again" and "Big Love". Setlist courtesy of Majestic Inc..

Photos: (left) Majestic Inc. (right) Amy Condit 

Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham to join Judd Apatow and Friends Benefit in LA 1/12

A Benefit for Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services An Evening with Judd Apatow & Friends (Lindsey Buckingham, & Many More!)


Monday, January 12, 2015
Largo at the Coronet
366 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Doors: 7:00 pm / Show: 8:30 pm

Tickets:
$40.00 - $100.00
**SOLD OUT**

For more information and to buy tickets visit the Largo website

Christine McVie "the chain of the band will never be broken. Not by me, anyways. Not again by me"

Play On
BY RACHEL SYME
The New Yorker - January 19, 2015 issue

Christine McVie Illustration by Tom Bachtell

By the time Christine McVie arrived at the Morrison Hotel Gallery, in SoHo, she had been up for sixteen hours and was dying to remove her false eyelashes. “They’re so heavy,” she said, as she tilted her head onto her clasped hands for the benefit of her manager, who had promised her an early exit. McVie, who had recently decided to reunite with her old bandmates in Fleetwood Mac for a tour, was in a makeshift V.I.P. room in back. Out in the gallery, a throng of Fleetwood Mac fans were looking at an exhibition of Polaroid self-portraits taken by the band’s Stevie Nicks. (“These are, like, the original selfies,” one woman, dressed in witchy layers, in homage to Nicks and McVie, said.)

“I’m only here for Stevie,” McVie said. At seventy-one, she was dressed like an off-duty rock star: narrow jeans, pointy boots, a gauzy scarf. Shaggy blond bangs nearly covered her eyes. “Everyone thinks this is quite the glamorous life, but it’s axe-grinding. Like this opening—I was dreading it. I’m so tired, I’m barely human. And I thought there might be old pictures of me, God forbid.” (There weren’t.) She scooped up a small white Maltese named Rodney, the property of Nicks’s manager. “Oh, I miss my pups,” she said, burying her face in the fluff.