Fleetwood Mac has apparently given Lindsey Buckingham his walking papers, which is only metaphorically true as Buckingham has reportedly recently sold one of his homes in Brentwood for about $20-million and anyone who has that kind of money doesn’t walk anywhere unless (1) a red carpet is involved or (2) it has something to do with the latest cardio program and it requires a personal trainer.
And realize that while McDonalds’ may have trouble selling Big Macs (which accounts for its recent size-variant offerings of that saucy delicacy), Fleetwood Mac evidentially is sufficiently fungible to get a list of venues as long as your arm for its upcoming tour. Oddly enough, the Big Mac and Fleetwood Mac were both formed in 1967.
It seems that the other members of the band have hired Mike Campbell late of the late Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of the best band that will unfairly be remembered as a one-hit wonder, Crowded House.
This has to make Buckingham feel fairly good, as it takes two to replace him. (One assumes, however, that if Campbell and Finn were “hired,” they’re going to be getting a salary, not cubic feet of cash, so the rest of the band members will make out very well, thank you.)
But here is when Ringo gets pissed.
For the past too-many years, Ringo has been touring with the All-Starr Band. (Another good reason why he changed his surname, as “All-Starkey Band” sounds like something Stormy Daniels would be in.)
Ringo’s M.O. has been to hire musicians who have had “hits” but are past their prime, such that he can use them to play their hits so as to minimize the need for an entire set to be based on his meagre catalog. People like Gary Brooker (Procol Harum), Simon Kirke (Bad Company), Colin Hay (Men at Work), Graham Gouldman (10cc). Actually, this is the proverbial double-win because Ringo gets talent and they get to play at venues where corndogs aren’t (necessarily) being sold.
But now there’s Fleetwood Mac vying for talent, hiring musicians like Campbell and Finn.
One can only imagine Ringo dropping one digit from his peace sign when talking with Fleetwood and McVie.
What a vicious article.
This part of the world at least, think you might find Crowded House went well beyond ‘one hit wonders’. Neil Finn one of the better song writers getting around, especially when you include some of his efforts with Split Enz.
The likes of Finn and Cambell are artists, I am sure happy to be playing and collaborating no matter the dollar figure. Perhaps you’ve a gotten touch too cynical?
1. Michael: Sorry.
2: Hoki: Not only do I own all of the Crowded House albums, I also own most of Neil’s and have some Liam, to boot. And I have attended their concerts.
Despite that. . .
Here in the U.S. the only “hits” that the band had were “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and “Something So Strong,” and they didn’t chart particularly well. What’s more, they came out 30 years ago.
Does that matter to people who like the music? No.
Does that matter to people like Neil Finn? Yes.
After all, when you sell lots of music you get at least some revenue in return. When those sales dry up, so does the cash. Yet the bills keep coming.
In an ideal world, Neil Finn could create his own band and record and tour. He would be able to make a good living doing so.
But maybe I am absolutely wrong. Maybe musicians have longed to be in a band like Fleetwood Mac or to be on stage with a Beatle.
I somehow don’t think that’s the case in many cases. They do because they have to. The mortgage company doesn’t worry about one’s art.
But rather than being cynical, perhaps I’m just naïve.
wow, 1967, who knew?