Fleetwood Mac

The Mac carries on

Following Buckingham's departure, Fleetwood Mac added guitarists Billy Burnette and Rick Vito to the band. 1987's 'Tango In The Night', or, 'Shake the Cage' tour was the first outing for this lineup, and enjoyed enough success to warrant a foray into the recording studio. The Mac recorded Behind The Mask with Burnette and Vito in 1990. With the album, the group ended up with a more adult contemporary than rock style. However, although the album yielded several high-ranking singles including McVie's "Skies The Limit" and "Save Me" as well as the Nicks single "Love Is Dangerous". Behind The Mask only went gold, and was seen by music critics as a low point for the band in the absence of Lindsey Buckingham. In 1995, after Nicks and Vito had left the group, and Christine McVie had retired from touring, the remaining band members added Bekka Bramlett and Dave Mason to their number, releasing the unsuccessful Time album.

Related Topics:
Billy Burnette - Rick Vito - Adult contemporary - Rock

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During this time, the Buckingham/Nicks/McVie(s)/Fleetwood lineup reunited at the behest of President Bill Clinton for his first Inaugural Ball in 1993. Clinton had made Fleetwood Mac's "Don't Stop" his campaign song, and insisted they perform it live for his guests. Although the five did so, old wounds had yet to heal and there was no talk of extending the reunion.

Related Topics:
Bill Clinton - 1993

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The second reunion in the 1990s came as a surprise to the music world. In late 1996, the McVies and Fleetwood performed session work for Buckingham's forthcoming solo album. This eventually led to a full Rumours lineup reunion in the form of a live concert recorded on a Warner Brothers Burbank, California soundstage, which resulted in the 1997 album The Dance. A hugely successful stadium tour followed the MTV premiere of The Dance which kept the reunited Mac on the road throughout much of 1997. This would be the final phase of the 1970s lineup with Christine McVie. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in early 1998, and performed at the Grammys that year.

Related Topics:
Warner Brothers - Burbank, California - 1997 - The Dance - MTV - 1970s - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - 1998

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In 1998 Christie McVie left the band and returned to the UK, permanently to retire from touring (though not from the music buisness entirely as she came out with a new album In The Meantime in 2004). This left Buckingham and Nicks to handle the vocals for the band's 2003 album, Say You Will. The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 2003 and a well attended world arena tour lasted through 2004. Drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie remain the only original members still with the group.

Related Topics:
1998 - Say You Will - 2004

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