Could 'Daisy Jones' Be My 'Silver Spring(s)’?

Noticed this billboard on the way home from work yesterday -- is anyone recommending "Daisy Jones & the Six"? 

It’s no secret that author Taylor Jenkins Reid was inspired by Fleetwood Mac when writing “Daisy Jones & The Six,” a fictional oral history of a ‘70s rock band not unlike the actual Fleetwood Mac. The acclaimed writer has often cited the relationship between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham as a starting point for what she wrote in the best-selling book -- particularly Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 reunion concert, “The Dance,” which she had watched as a teenager. 

“Years later, once I understood the full story of Fleetwood Mac, I came across ‘The Dance’ again, this time on YouTube. I watched it in its entirety. I saw that later on in the show, Stevie sung ‘Silver Springs,’ like a woman scorned, holding that microphone like a weapon, drilling holes into Lindsey’s head with her eyes as she sang that her voice would haunt him,” she wrote in 2019. “I was savvier then, I understood that sometimes looking like you’re in love or in hate are things you ramp up a bit to make a good show. I also understood then what I could never have conceived of in 1997: Love makes no goddamn sense.” 

The actual drama between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham has played out in real time throughout my life, so I'm wondering if I could even get into a fictionalized version of it. Let me know if you’re a fan.

Meanwhile, listen to Daisy Jones & the Six's ode to Buckingham-Nicks -- called "Regret Me" -- HERE. That has to be star Riley Keough singing, because she sounds exactly like mom Lisa Marie Presley. 

 

Ironic that this wonderful song was inspired by a childhood pet peeve of mine. In high school my mom moved to Maryland, where she would later meet and marry my father. As such, the Washington area became a place we'd visit when I was a boy. (All three Walsh brothers would eventually move there, too.) Mom's school, the Academy of the Holy Names, was in the city of Silver Spring, which Stevie later said she saw on a highway sign while on the road touring -- only she remembered it incorrectly as Silver Springs, the mis-spelling/pronunciation of which has driven my copy-editing family crazy for decades! 

P.S. Am I the only one who thinks the lyric would have sounded way better with the correct name: You could be my Silver Spring? 

Bill and Molly, May 25, 1959, St. Camillus Church, Silver Spring, Md.

Song of the Day: 'On the Wrong Side' by Lindsey Buckingham

Today's pick is a great new one by exiled Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, from his upcoming self-titled solo album. The song features his trademark guitar work, while contemplating the final chapters of life. 

"'On the Wrong Side' is about the peaks and valleys of life on the road with Fleetwood Mac," Buckingham said in a statement. "The song evokes 'Go Your Own Way,' in that it’s not a happy song, subject-matter wise, but it was an ebullient song musically. This was sort of the same idea."

Although I have seen Mr. Big Love live twice with Fleetwood Mac, I'm thinking itt would be wise to catch him on his recently announced solo tour. He's 71 and underwent open-heart surgery a couple years ago, so he definitely fits my criteria of people I'd go out of my way to see now.

Song of the Day: 'I Don't Mind' by Lindsey Buckingham

What to make of this? First the 71-year-old rocker got fired by Fleetwood Mac after one too many eye rolls and wisecracks directed at Stevie Nicks. Then he looked near death following emergency open-heart surgery in early 2019. And now in the past 48 hours comes word that he's got a new single, album and upcoming tour -- and that his wife of 21 years has filed for divorce. Guess it's safe to say we've located the root of all that drama from back in the day! 

Lindsey writes: 

My new self-titled album is one I’ve been intending to get out for a couple of years now, but on more than one occasion, unforeseen circumstances necessitated a postponement of plans. Now that we’re back in gear, I’m thrilled to finally be sharing this new music with my listeners! “I Don’t Mind,” the first single off the new self-titled album, out 9/17, is available now. Tickets for the 2021 solo tour are on sale this Friday from 10 a.m. local HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Trouble' (live) by Lindsey Buckingham

It was sure nice to see that Lindsey Buckingham is back, singing publicly yesterday for the first time since undergoing open-heart surgery in early 2019. (I had literally just been asking Damian if he'd heard any updates on the former Fleetwood Mac man.) The four-song Zoom set was performed in his home studio. Doctors had feared damage sustained to his vocal cords during his operation would leave him unable to sing -- and while he isn't quite 100%, he has made considerable progress.

Like a number of artists, Buckingham had announced a solo tour for 2020, only to have to postpone it because of the coronavirus.

“This [pandemic] has been like a couple of years previous in which things occurred that I did not see coming,” he said. “One was my split from Fleetwood Mac. Another one was having a bypass operation, which I did not expect to happen. So, you could say that this makes it a trifecta of events that were completely off the charts.”

Buckingham also said he has a new solo album ready for release, although when that will happen is anyone's guess.

“We don’t have a release date," he said. "I was meant to be out on the road now promoting it. It should be out in the spring [of 2021] sometime. It’s just self-titled: 'Lindsey Buckingham.' We’ll see where that goes.”

Song of the Day: 'Lay Down for Free' by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie

Standout track from the 2017 Buckingham-McVie album. Mick Fleetwood gave an interview to the New York Post the other day saying they booted Lindsey Buckingham from the band because "we weren't happy." Strangely, no one mentioned that the ousted band member nearly died last month.

Song of the Day: 'Soul Drifter' by Lindsey Buckingham

Have been wondering how Lindsey Buckingham's recovery has been going -- then had dinner with a friend who encouraged me to check out the ex-Fleetwood Mac member's 1992 solo effort, "Out of the Cradle." The album bombed -- it peaked at No. 128 on the Billboard 200 -- but I was not given incorrect information. Was hard to pick just one song to feature, but this one definitely gets the point across. Hard to see how this wasn't a smash.

Page 1 Roundup (05/14)

The Daily News: Cannibal Cop gives up bitter custody fight over child against ex-wife who claimed ‘He might murder my daughter’

Dlisted: We always knew Lindsey Buckingham was Fleetwood Mac's problem child

The Associated Press: Drunk man survives fall from balcony of Las Vegas hotel

 Ronan Farrow will expand on his award-winning investigative reporting on the sexual misconduct of powerful men and the systems in place to keep victims quiet in a new book called “Catch and Kill"

New York Post: Lousy anti-rat campaign reminds New Yorkers not to feed rodents

Page Six: Meghan Markle's shameless dad accused of faking photos ahead of royal wedding

Mother Jones: Pro-Trump pastor who claims Islam is a 'cult' picked to lead prayer at opening of U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem

The New York Times: Crazy Donald's "America first" promise takes yet another blow

Towleroad: 'Ding Dong I’m Gay' is a new Australian comedic web series that follows Cameron, an overachieving people-pleaser who reluctantly takes on the role of hopeless fairy godmother when his newly out cousin Toby arrives on his Sydney doorstep looking for somewhere to live

The Washington Post: Is technology bringing history to life or distorting it?

45 stories of sex and consent on campus, or Why heterosexuality is unnatural

BosGuy: Do you like your gingers legs spread and beefy?

Gothamist: Ask a Native New Yorker: Can I ask a dog to give up its subway seat?

The Wall Street Journal: If you’re collecting rocks, might as well find ones that look like meat

Song of the Day: 'Feel About You' by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie

Order HERE.

As expected, the first Christine McVie single off the duo's eponymous debut is noticeably better than Lindsey's opener. If "In My World" reminded me a bit reminiscent of "Tango in the Night" ("Bigger Love") then this one has a "Mirage" sensibility ("More Love in Store"), which is to say it's low-key but stays with you. Would be fun if they toured smaller venues together.

Song of the Day: 'In My World' by Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie

Fleetwood Mac fans rejoice! Lindsey Buckingham and (no-longer-reclusive) Christine McVie have teamed up for a new album, and if the first single is any indication, Rhino has a winner on its hands. Longtime fans might see this as the bookend to Lindsey's 1973 collaboration with the band's other grande dame, the brilliant-but-never-digitally-reissued "Buckingham Nicks." "In My World" -- of course a Lindsey song had to be released first to massage his fragile ego -- has a bit of a "Big Love" feel to it, but dare I say better. (Not as high praise as you might think -- "Big Love" always kind of rubbed me the wrong way!) The album, which includes three tracks co-written by the legendary artist, comes out June 9 and can be pre-ordered now HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Where We Belong' (demo) by Fleetwood Mac

Order HERE.

As if I didn't already feel old enough, a 30th anniversary edition of "Tango in the Night" is coming out later this month. The deluxe edition of the album, which probably ranks last on my list of the classic line-up's albums yet was their second-biggest seller, will be available in a 3CD/DVD/LP edition featuring newly remastered sound, unreleased recordings, rare tracks, music videos and more, including this Lindsey Buckingham demo that didn't make the final cut..

P.S.

This early, more subdued version of "Seven Wonders" is worth a listen.

Chest Hair Makes a Comeback

You call this chest hair?

Leave it to the Gray Lady to spot a trend ... that started 10 years ago!

The New York Times reports:

Eric Shoemaker, who works in public relations in Los Angeles, has moved on from the waxed look.

For a new generation, the overly groomed body appears to be falling out of favor. “We’re seeing a return to ’70s fashion,” said Tim Bess, an analyst at the trend forecasting agency the Doneger Group. “The late ’60s and early ’70s were about freedom, the hippie movement, having lots of hair.”

Mr. Bess cited Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac — with his unbuttoned shirts and thatch of chest hair — as a prototype, adding that the preened look seems dated. “It gets a little too perfect, too mannequin-looking,” Mr. Bess said. 

Order HERE.

Christopher Oldstone-Moore, the author of the 2015 book “Of Beards and Men” and a senior lecturer at Wright State University, in Ohio, believes that an increasingly urban and digitized life has left some men “disconnected from their masculinity.” “There are different ways to connect to your organic masculinity,” Dr. Oldstone-Moore said. “Hair is one way to do it.”

Song of the Day: 'Go Insane' by Lindsey Buckingham

My all-things-Fleetwood Mac obsession has been in full effect all weekend -- "Bella Donna" and 'The Wild Heart" on auto-repeat -- culminating in realizing the Mac's 2003 four-song "Extended Play" is also a treasure trove, including a song from the "Buckingham Nicks" sessions plus the wonderful "Miss Fantasy," as well as revisiting Lindsey's "Law and Order" (some great stuff besides the sublime "Trouble," like "I'll Tell You Why" and "It Was I"). Funny to hear my brothers mention last weekend "Go Insane" as a favorite. They're so right -- it's hard to believe this stalled at No. 23 on the Billboard chart ... what was American thinking?

Go Insane - Lindsey Buckingham

Fleetwood Mac Wows 'Em at Madison Square Garden

Incredible seeing the reunited classic Fleetwood Mac lineup last night at Madison Square Garden, where the band put on a nearly three-hour show of nothing but their classic catalogue. I'd seen them without Christine McVie back in 2003 or so, but her absence was sorely missed, as her brand of mainstream pop is the perfect balance to the more self-indulgent work of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. The setlist (below) pretty much says it all -- there was absolutely no subjecting the loyalists to new material -- with perhaps the only surprise being that they played heavily off the line-up's 1975 self-titled debut. Nine out of 11 songs off "Rumours" were performed, each reminding us how much that album has been the soundtrack to a certain demographic's life. (When Lindsey and Stevie squared off during "Go Your Own Way," I turned to my date and said, "Mom and Dad are back together!") "Tango in the Night" is my least favorite album of theirs, yet "Little Lies" stood out as one of the evening's highlights because of the way it utilizes the strengths of the three vocalists. Christine was demure and sweet and had a real "Aww, shucks" attitude about being welcomed back into the fold, while Stevie kept the crowd enchanted from beginning to end, telling stories about the early days of meeting Lindsey and opening for the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Credence Clearwater Rival. (Her "Gypsy" story is classic.) While there are other female vocalists I may "adore" more, there's no denying Stevie has a hold on me like no one else. A simple head turn, hand raise or spin can send me into full fan-boy mode in a way that not even Debbie Harry or Chrissie Hynde's best moments can. She may seem flaky, but she's entirely genuine, like the kooky aunt you love more than any other. With any band with as much material as Fleetwood Mac, of course there would be quibbles about the setlist. But they were few and far between. I enjoyed the three-song "Tusk" arc, although given my druthers I'd have taken "Angel" over "Sisters of the Moon." And as mentioned, playing six of the 11 songs of the '75 album was a surprise, although I'd have opted for "Monday Morning" (a personal fave) or "Crystal" over "I'm So Afraid" and "World Turning." (Or why not let Christine coo how she needs a "Sugar Daddy"?) Hearing any of those album tracks, though, was a real treat. My only real issue was their excluding "Sara" from the lineup, which they seem to have done at other shows. (Yes, I peaked.) Not sure why they did this -- when pressed, I cite "Sara" as my favorite Mac song -- but with "Landslide" and "Silver Springs" on the roster, it made forgiveness easier to manage. (Oddly, they also didn't do "Hold Me," which is one of their biggest chart singles.) A recent interview with Lindsey made it seem like this was definitely the band's last hurrah, but from the looks -- and sound -- of things, it seems hard to believe they will hang it up anytime soon. A long-overdue sixth album has been discussed too, and based on last night's show, that's a concert promoting new material I'd definitely be up for.

My rating: Go if you can -- they're not getting any younger!

Madison Square Garden
Jan. 22, 2015
Setlist

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

Encore 1:
World Turning
Don't Stop
Silver Springs

Encore 2:
Songbird

40 Years Ago: Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks Join Fleetwood Mac

Gearing up for the band's return to Madison Square Garden, I have been on a real Fleetwood Mac bender of late. (If you don't think "Tusk" is a masterpiece, please unfriend me now. Clearly the New Pornogaphers approved.) Didn't realize it was it was on New Year's Eve in 1974 that Lindsey was officially asked to join the band, but said he'd only do so on the condition that his girlfriend can too. (Smart move, Mr. Fleetwood!)

The fascinating story is HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Holiday Road' by Lindsey Buckingham

I'm not going anywhere this holiday weekend -- the MRI revealed the source of my excruciating pain: a herniated disk -- but I hope you have a swimming time wherever you are.

Looking good, even without his Speedo.

Song of the Day: 'Monday Morning' by Fleetwood Mac

You only had to listen to the first few bars of "Monday Morning" to know that adding Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks to the band was the smartest thing Fleetwood Mac ever did. By the second  song, "Rhiannon," the band's fate was sealed. Interesting to learn via Wikipedia that "both songs were written during the Buckingham Nicks days, and performed live by the duo although not recorded. The early version of Rhiannon was played much faster, in what was described by one reviewer of the time as a 'polka' style."

Song of the Day: 'Without You' by Fleetwood Mac

Great interview with Lindsey Buckingham in the new Rolling Stone. (Click to enlarge.) In it, he talks about picking the tour's set list -- "['Second Hand News'] is the opening track from Rumours, and it was an obvious choice for the tour opener" -- how he still has no idea why Christine McVie skipped town and "burned all her bridges in L.A.," and the mag reviews the band's new EP, its first new music in 10 years:

The gem is "WIthout You," a breezy Nicks-written folk rocker from the couple's pre-Mac project Buckingham Nicks. Largely acoustic, with twined harmonies, its chords twist and resolve like a sun-dappled mobile on a breezy day. And we confess: Hearing the ex-lovers put words in each other's mouths remains as fascinating as ever.

Download HERE.

Song of the Day: 'Trouble' by Lindsey Buckingham

  For all you Lindsey Buckingham fans who spoke up yesterday, here's his big hit from 1981-82.  I'm almost embarrassed to admit what I used to do with this album cover -- Lindsey kind of holds up about as well as Patrick Swayze in the rearview mirror -- but I was a hormonal teen back then!

Song of the Day: 'Never Going Back Again' by Fleetwood Mac

 For any other band, "Never Going Back Again" could have been a its claim to fame. But when you're a member of Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham was lucky it was used as the b-side for a single off of "Rumours," which is still arguably the best album ever. (Could have been worse: Stevie Nicks' sublime "Silver Springs" didn't even make the LP!)