Christine McVie to make a return.. and it’s no rumour... But will she join Fleetwood Mac in Dublin tonight?

By James Ward
Irish Mirror

Fleetwood Mac fans set for treat as former key band member gets ready to make Dublin appearance

Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll! If ever there was a band that followed that mantra to the letter it was Fleetwood Mac.

The long-lasting British- American group may be remembered for such hits as The Chain, Little Lies and Go Your Own Way, but in terms of booze and drug-bingeing, partnerswapping and back-stabbing drama, it makes the Rolling Stones look like a church choir.

This year marks 35 years since the release of the band’s masterpiece ‘Rumours’ that would go on to become one of the most successful records in history selling over 40 million worldwide.

The rock icons are currently on a critically acclaimed world tour that reaches Dublin for two sold-out shows on Friday and Saturday night.

The band have been rehearsing in the capital and spotted in the five-star Four Seasons hotel on Wednesday night.

If that wasn’t exciting enough, frontwoman Stevie Nicks has revealed that former key member Christine McVie, who left the band over 14 years ago,

has been in Dublin rehearsing with the band.

“She’s coming to do two nights (in London) and probably do ‘Don’t Stop’. I’m not sure, but she’s coming to Dublin to rehearse whatever song she’s going to do. We never wanted her to leave, so for us it’s amazing that she is going to come,” Nicks said.

McVie won’t accompany the tour beyond London, apparently down to her fear of flying.

British drummer Mick Fleetwood, the only original member in the present line up, revealed earlier this year that there is a new Fleetwood Mac album in the pipeline and that new songs will be released online in the coming months.

Fleetwood Mac’s 46-year dark history is the stuff of legend but t begins long before the destruction of love affairs that is chronicled in painful detail on Rumours.

Set lists from the US leg of the tour show the band playing the lion’s share of Rumours with smatterings from Tusk, Fleetwood Mac and only one, Big Love, from their 1987 album Tango in the Night.

Fans disappointed that they didn’t snap up a ticket to see the Mac in Dublin may get a second chance to see them live as they have said they would like to be included on the Glastonbury 2014 bill.

Speaking to music site Gigwise, Fleetwood explained that although last year’s rumoured festival slots came to nothing due to touring commitments, next year could be a different matter.

“Hopefully Glastonbury will ask us again,” he said, “although they’ve probably got fed up of asking us!”

Birmingham's set for return of Rock Legends Fleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks is back on tour with Fleetwood Mac. Steve Adams chats to her about what fans should expect.

by Steve Adams
Coventry Telegraph

Rock legends Fleetwood Mac are back on the road for their first UK shows in four years and the buzz is that keyboardist Christine McVie – who quit the band in 1998 – will rejoin other members of the band’s classic line-up for at least a couple of performances.

The move has delighted singer Stevie Nicks as much as the fans, as she formed an instant bond with the band’s only other female member when she joined in 1975 alongside guitarist Lindsey Buckingham.

“I knew from the beginning when Lindsey and I joined Fleetwood Mac, that Christine and I had to really stand our ground,” says the enigmatic singer.

“We had to be a force of nature or we would be considered second-class rock stars. And between the two of us that was never gonna happen!

“We made a pinky swear pact – ‘we will never, ever walk into a room that’s full of rock stars and not be treated as if we’re not as good as them.

“Because we are as good as them.’”

The duo more than proved their point, writing many of the band’s biggest hits, including a huge chunk of seminal album Rumours, which has now sold a staggering 45 million copies worldwide. Nicks has also enjoyed a successful solo career alongside her four decades in and out of Fleetwood Mac – the band have a habit of splitting and reforming – but is happy to be back performing, even though the recent US tour schedule was gruelling.

“For me it’s not such a big deal because I stay up really late every night anyway. But for Lindsey, Mick (Fleetwood) and John (McVie), they go back to their rooms and go to sleep.”

The singer believes the effort has been worth it though, rating the shows as some of the best they’ve played.

“When people in Britain see the show they’re gonna be blown away!” she says.

“Honestly, rock bands that are 30 years old would baulk at this schedule, the amount of songs we’re doing and the length of the show. They would go, ‘you are kidding? Two hours and 40 minutes a night?’”

The gigs also include the band’s first new music in a decade, after they released an EP earlier this year. The music was recorded just after Nicks’ mother died last year, which left her so devastated she was unable to go to the studio.

“I didn’t want to go anywhere,” she admits. “I didn’t leave the house for almost five months. I worked on the edit of my documentary about the making of (solo album) In Your Dreams, and then I got pneumonia.

“I watched the entire first season of Game Of Thrones – so that was great! That certainly took my mind off everything.”

Not surprisingly the almost ethereal pop star is quite a fan of the fantasy show.

“The author (George RR Martin) is my age and it blows my mind that he’s able to create this vast, interlinked world,” she says.

“As a songwriter I write little movies. But I can’t imagine sitting down and writing even one small book. I would love to write some music for Game Of Thrones. I’ve written a bunch of poetry about it – one for each of the characters.”

* Fleetwood Mac perform at the LG Arena in Birmingham on September 29. For tickets, call 0844 338 8000.

VIDEO: Stevie Nicks | Dave Stewart | Mick Fleetwood Interviews "In Your Dreams" UK Premiere #FleetwoodMac

In Your Dreams is available now in the U.S. and Canada at inyourdreamsmovie.com or itunes. The film will be available on DVD and VOD in the UK in November

The 10 Greatest Christine McVie-Led Fleetwood Mac Songs

In wonderful news, Stevie Nicks recently revealed that her close friend and fellow lead songstress Christine McVie would be rejoining Fleetwood Mac for one song at two of their shows on the European leg of the band's reunion tour. McVie left in 1998 and, for Fleetwood fans, the news is not only surprising but more than welcome as the band is even better when including the rich tonality of balladeer and multi-instrumentalist McVie. The singer left the band largely due to a fear of flying that inhibited her ability to travel on tour and Fleetwood Mac has gone on to reunite several times after her departure despite missing the unique dynamic the prized third vocalist.

In honor of this news, let's celebrate the wonderful and often hit-making talent of Christine McVie and take a look at 10 of her greatest contributions to one of the biggest rock bands in history.

Check out The Village Voice for the top 10
By Brittany Spanos

Lady Antebellums recap of their amazing night with @StevieNicks on @CMT Crossroads. VIDEO

CMT Crossroads with Stevie Nicks was the highlight of our career. Every moment and performance was priceless!

Are we looking at the beginning of something special? You be the judge!

Lotus Mastering tweeted and posted to their Facebook page the following photo and message.... After which they made note on Facebook that they were "just preserving the goods, at this point." This may just very well be the beginning of getting this bad boy finally ready for re-release!  At least that's how I want to view this.

Completed an analog archive of Stevie & Lindsey "Buckingham Nicks" (1973) for Polydor Records. pic.twitter.com/4xmx3vRDA4
— Lotus Mastering (@lotusmastering) September 18, 2013