Q&A Sessions
Gary "Hoppy" Hodges : June 5 - 18, 2000
Page 2

Hi Gary-- I have read in past question and answer sessions that Stevie was a bad driver. Did you ever drive with her? What do you think? Any funny stories? Thank You. (Jax, Pennsylvania, USA)

Hi Jax- no, I only rode around with her when Lindsey drove. I took her to a hair dresser one time in Beverly Hills in my jeep and she treated me to a haircut for that. I have flown with her and only ridden with her one time in a limousine in Dallas briefly, but I have never seen her drive or gone with her for a ride when she was driving. The only funny story I know of is the one Keith told about the car rolling into the house near him, that was a good one. She used to have an old Toyota Corolla, I think, and I remember that she was so upset about having a bunch of parking tickets on it, I think from Lindsey driving. I am not sure… but she was upset about these parking tickets and I believe there were a substantial number of them; you know, they gave them out everywhere in LA. That car had a lot of miles on it, I mean a bunch. I think she sold it to Tom Montcreiff later, our bass player at the time.

Gary, it's been great reading both the questions and your answers! Thank you for doing this for us! Here are my questions: How did you happen to come to live with Stevie and Lindsey in the early days (or where they living with you, as you had a family)? (Susan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)

Well, Susan, I am going to answer these one at a time here. The first one is that I was going through a little relationship change at the time and they were moving across town. I was helping Stevie and Lindsey move a few things since I had a Volkswagon van-a blue and white one, sewing machine on wheels…anyway I was taking over the studio city house and moving them over to live with Richard Dashut in the Pico Blvd district in LA, and so we kinda shared the little house in studio city. That's where we would record with Lindsey in the basement and all. I remember him telling me he was getting prepared for something, (little did I know he meant super stardom, ha) when he would spend hours down there recording on his four track. Neat little house, it was, built by a man named Bird, thus it was a Bird House or Bird Built House, ha ha. We were close for a while and I would go visit them and stuff, you know, 'friends' stuff.

If Buckingham Nicks is released, there should be more royalties coming to you, right? I hope so! I imagine this album will sell a lot more than it did when it was released the first time! And if they did tour with it . . . or even did one show about it . . . would you play on it? (Susan)

In answer to this question, Susan, I only was paid a scale to play on that album. I believe it was about $110.00 bucks at the time-- single scale, by union standards, and I don't really have any royalty agreement in stone on it as I only played drums and percussion. I am not credited as a writer and all. I do wish greatly, however, that it would be released in a CD format-- with the new digital technology and enhanced sound quality it would sound awesome, I am sure, and yes you are correct it would probably sell record numbers. I think it was already "Gold"-that's 500,000 sales, but it would go multi-platinum like everything else has that they have touched or done, so to speak. It would be generous of Stevie and Lindsey to share the profits with those who participated on it, but this type of thing is not really likely… although they are special people and they might, you just never know, Susan. It would be nice to get an award, a gold or platinum certification on it, as I have never received anything and I have been drumming and singing for over 35 years.

I am sure you know of the good, the bad, and the ugly that happened after Stevie and Lindsey joined up with Fleetwood Mac . . . I am guessing some of the "influences" weren't about during the time of the Buckingham Nicks sessions. I got the feeling, though, from Keith Olsen's answers that drugs were around in the studios. What do you recall? (Susan)

Well, that was the 70's and people were having fun and experimenting with Things. The sessions I attended were clean and we kept our heads about us as it was serious work to be recording, I felt, but yes-- I won't lie to you, there was some partying going on, too. Keith was pretty on top of his answer there, for the times were interesting. In facets of business I have seen some of this, but it was pretty much work time when you were in the studio and all. As far as the stuff after they joined Mick and John and Christine-- I attended a few sessions at Sound City and I was in attendance at the Rumours sessions, too, in San Francisco. I ate with them and went to the studio, and Lindsey and I went up to Meier Woods one day together (it was a beautiful rain forest) and sat around-- it was kind of a religious experience for me, you know. I did not see a lot of ugly things going on, it was generally a creative environment-- they were recording and doing interviews and I remember Mick taking calls from WB to see how they were doing on things and all. I remember asking Mick if I could play on a track with them or him and he said, "Oh, now your begging"--this kinda hurt my feelings a little, hell, after all I had played already on most of the stuff they had cut for the last album. Stevie was nice to me, she asked if I wanted to read some reviews-- I remember going with her to where she was staying in a condo there, and we visited a little, you know. She got me a gig with an artist named Glenda Griffith through an friend of hers named Don Henley. I got the chance to meet Don in person and audition for him and he said, "You have got the job." Stevie, I know, was responsible for that little connection, the one with Don, as they had just cut "Leather and Lace" together, and I believe they were seeing each other a little. But she helped me out.

It is said that Buckingham/Nicks were snapped up by Fleetwood Mac without even an audition. Do you remember much of what Lindsey and Stevie were saying about meeting Fleetwood Mac for the first time? You played with them following that meeting in Alabama . . . were they really excited about it, or, as I have sometimes heard, were they concerned about losing their own identity? (Susan)

I remember Mick coming in to Sound City to hear the studio and meet with Keith Olsen. Keith threw a track up we had cut called "Frozen Love"! Mick heard it and said who is the guitar player and the rest is history. From what I gathered in conversation they thought they were very nice people and I remember them coming over to the house, and I met them too at the house in the Pico area of L.A . I believe at first they just wanted a guitar player only, but Lindsey told Mick they were a package deal and so they took them both away from us. That was when I was very depressed, as I had put a lot of time and energy into the BN thing, you know. Yes, we went out and played the two dates in Alabama and that was the last I played with them. If they did a tour to do the BN album, I would love to go. I think I missed that answer in your last question, sorry. It would be great if they would releases the BN thing and tour with the original BN band; I would definitely want to do it in a heartbeat, Susan.

Who were your influences as a drummer? Were you familiar with Mick's work? Have you met him or the other members of Fleetwood Mac? (Susan)

I have been influenced by many great players. Yes, I like Mick's work, but I really like Jim Gordon's work on the Layla album and other projects he did. I have always been a big fan of Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel, Buddy Rich, Don Henley, Ringo Starr, Ron Tutt, Dave Wechal, oh there are a bunch I like. I have met, fed and hung out with all the FM members, rode in John's jeep with him, and got him a drink at a bar that was closed after a concert in Ft.Worth one time--he gave me a big hug for that one. Mick stayed in my camper trailer once when he did not feel well-- I had it parked outside the studio. One evening Christine and John fixed their dinner in my camper trailer outside the studio, too. Mick auditioned me for the Bob Welch band he put together, and I remember him offering me a tuna fish sandwich at the office that day. Yeah, I have met and know them all; we have hung out together a little at the sessions and stuff. I told Mick one time how I was playing "Don't Let Me Down Again" with the 'one hand train' feel and when I saw him in concert one night he was doing it the way I mentioned to him, great. I remember riding in the limo with Stevie and Lindsey in Dallas after having dinner with them, and hanging out with Lindsey--he would kinda pray off to himself with his guitar in hand before departing. That was an interesting moment with him, but I played with him for 3 years off and on in all kinds of situations.

Waddy Wachtel is an awesome guitar player on many records of other stars besides Stevie and Lindsey's . . . what was he like to work with in those early days? Are you in contact with him now? I understand he has recently performed with Stevie at a show . . . he still is amazing! (Susan)

I know Waddy very well-- I toured Europe with him in the 70's with Judy Pulver, an MGM artist, and played with him a lot in the 70's, too. Yes, he is very good. I know his brother, too, Jimmy Wachtel-- he helped in designing the BN album. No, I am not in contact with him, I wish I was. Yes, he and Stevie are still close, I guess, but yes, I know him very well and have worked with him on several albums in the 70's--Jorge Calgeron's "City Music" is one, and Lambert and Nuttycomb's "As You Will." He has played with a lot of people that I am aware of, Susan.

Do you recall Stevie working as a waitress? Or doing her work as "a cleaning lady" for Keith? If so, what did she say about those days? (Susan)

Yes-- I remember those days-- she cleaned Keith's house and worked at "Clementine's"--I think that's the way you spell it. She worked hard and I thought she was so cute, too; I just loved her. She was so sweet. I remember sitting by her bedside one day as she strummed her guitar; I sat at her bedside on a few occasions. I just loved talking to her and being around her. She had a glow about her, really. She loved French toast, too, and omelets; I know that firsthand. She would come see me play and holler, "Go Hoppy," and she called my name from the stage in a packed Dallas concert one time-- she said, "Listen to this, Hoppy!" I think she liked me too.

Stevie as a babysitter~ that makes me smile. How did she do???? I imagine your daughter sure has something that she can treasure knowing that. That's so neat!

Thank you for your time Gary! I'll look forward to your answers. (Susan)

Yes, she watched my son Shawn for me one day, as I had to go to a gig or something. I wonder if Shawn remembers that Stevie Nicks babysat him; he lives in England now… but she was great with children. I remember her taking him in her arms and talking to him and playing with him… thank you, Stevie. Yeah, she did a couple times, I think, and wouldn't even accept any pay for it. She was a big girl in the truest sense.

You're welcome, Susan, glad I could clear some of this up for you. I have had an interesting life and they were some of the most interesting parts of it.

Dear Mr. Hodges,

Prior to the other several questions and opinions. What is you opinion on the whole mp3 fight? As you may have heard, the band Metallica has filed suit against the kingpin mp3 site Napster amongst many other artists that have joined their side. However, to bring this to your attention, I have looked up BN material on Napster and they unfortunately do have the demos you're talking about. Without You, Nomad, Designs of Love, and Sorcerer (Lady from the Mountain). I think it truly is a shame that the future of music is coming down to being shelled up into people's pc's and handed to others on a silver platter. (Jeff Baer, Thorofare, New Jersey, USA)

Hi Jeff, as an underpaid and often over-looked drummer and singer for 35 years, I tend to think these people don't want to be ripped off… I'm not that familiar with the mp3 thing, but evidently it is hurting sales or hurting someone, or they would not fight it so hard. How can I hear these demos you speak of, Jeff? Sorcerer I played on one time, and live, too. I think that people should be compensated fairly for their contribution to music, don't you? This mp3 thing seems to be pissing some people off, Jeff. If you had a record on the market and someone was giving it away, I think you would say something too. Hey, this is an interesting forum on this, kinda like Internet taxing, isn't it? I would love to hear these demos, no harm in that is there? Thanks, Jeff, for your question. I don't feel I am expert in that field particularly, but right is right and stealing is stealing. I believe all sanity is based on knowing the difference between right and wrong, so based on this data, you can safely say what and how these people operate, and does it have a bad effect or good? I would want to lean toward the good wouldn't you, Jeff?

A few times you've mentioned Tom Moncrief. He IS the same guy who went to play lead guitar with Walter Egan's "Professional Band" correct? Have you had any contact either personal or professional with Walter Egan? (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Yes, Steve, that's Tom Montcrieff-- he played bass for us in BN and I think he played guitar too… as a matter of fact, he does, very well, too. That's him. I don't have any contact with him, or Walter Egan either-- I live in Branson, MO now.

OMG!!!....I love it!!!....Rhiannon with an up beat tempo liken to the Stone's Paint It Black!!!! *hyperventilating*....You lucky dawg you lucky dawg!!!...It's a shame you don't have a copy of that...woohoo...Love both songs...and a highly under rated Stone's song...Uhh anyway sorry for that little uhhh...mental moment...but that's wayyy kewl!

Uhhh Anyway thanks for doing these Q&A's we are very honored and you are very open and descriptive which is refreshing....You said that Stevie used to babysit your little boy...In those days did she seem to be motherly/maternal?....How did she and your son get along?...Any certain funny or special memory stick out about your friendship with Linds and Stevie? Again thanks for your time...and the little tid bit about Rhiannon..Yeehaw!! (LauraTN)

Hey, Laura! Man, you sound like an excitable young lady, girlfriend! Yes, there are a lot of great memories for me with Stevie and Lindsey, and no she didn't seem the motherly type to me-- kind of an independent gal, very full of life and energy all the time, and full of good guidance… kind of sisterly, really. My son and her got on well, he was so young , she just looked after him for me an afternoon a time or two. She was very good with children, I think. Very loving lady. I really miss her friendship a lot, and have missed my association with both Stevie and Lindsey. I believe I was meant to really make it with them… something happened, I don't know for sure, it just went another way down Mick's lane there. I recall one evening sitting at the house with Stevie, waiting for Lindsey to come on in from somewhere, and the tv was on. We were sitting in the living room and it was after dark. Well, I just looked up and over toward Stevie and it shocked me to see this huge aura or glow coming from her… it nearly took my breath away as she was staring at me, and there was light in her eyes and face like nothing I had ever seen before. It was like a religious experience or something. This image has stayed with me… you have heard Mick speak of her "aura" or glow… but I felt she was revealing herself, her true being , and very deep and beautiful it was to behold. I was a little scared at first, it overwhelmed me a bit ,and I said to her, "STEVIE,YOU HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL GLOW AND LIGHT COMING FROM YOU…" and she just looked at me and then got up and went upstairs. I sat there kinda dumbfounded as if I had just seen Jesus or something. Well, that is one true story for you; after that Stevie kinda rose to greatness and that is all history now. There were a lot of experiences with them I can recall, a lot of fun we had together, what a great time in my life to know them. Thank you powers that be for that.

Mr. Hodges-- Thanks for all the information, it really has been an interesting read. My question is about the little tidbit that "Life in the Fast Lane" was written about Lindsey and Stevie. Well I guess it's not really a question, more of a boy I didn't know that type of thing. Wait here is a question, how did you come to find that out? Thanks. (Erin, Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Well, knowing Don Henley and that they knew each other, I kinda put two and two Together. If you listen closely it is their story he is telling. I got it on a reliable source that it is about them. It is true, you know, really. You can take it to the bank on that one. Thanks, Erin, for your question.

Hello, Gary! Thank you for answering questions! I have several...first, what memories, if any, do you have of Stevie's song "Landslide"? I wondered if she had this song at that point, as I don't recall your having mentioned it as part of the Buckingham Nicks set list. And second, at this early stage of her career on stage, what was she like? Did she try to dress up as beautifully as she did after she joined Fleetwood Mac (and beyond), and was she as captivating on stage then, as we have known her? To watch her is just as good as hearing her, don't you think? She really gives her songs life. Thank you! (Claudia, Moab, Utah, USA)

Hi Claudia, I believe "Landslide" was written at that time--she just had not brought it out yet, because she wrote it up at Keith's or played it for him up at his house, he mentioned that, but I don't recall doing that song on a live show with her. Yes, she had stage presence back then, too, and was doing the shrill, rough sounding deal she still does with her voice. She was captivating to watch even then, because of course she was so graceful and a very beautiful young lady anyway; I always thought she had a lot of class, really. You felt like you were working with someone truly professional and she was something to work with. I miss her, she once said to me that I "was great on the road"-- this is typical of the supportive type of person she was. It was kinda rough on the road back then, but Stevie and Lindsey made it fun for us. Thank you for your question ,Claudia, I hope this answer is good enough on this, that was a long time ago, you see. Great to hear from Utah.

Hi Gary! What are you up to now in your career and what made you move to Missouri? Do you miss LA? (Jo, Larksville, Pennsylvania, USA)

Hi Jo,

Well, I am doing a little show here at the Roaring River Theatre in Cassville, Mo., and I do a little recording here locally sometimes, too. I just finished some tracks for The Wild West Show they are starting up here in Branson. Everything up here is kinda going to canned music these days, Jo. I moved up here to the Ozark Mountains in 1984 to play with The Plummer Family Country Music Show, which had a quartet called the Masters Four (which became The Texans a week later)-- and we won Group of the Year and Entertainers of the Year four years in a row, '84 to '88. It was fun, the town boomed and I have gotten to play with everyone from Jim Stafford on up to… well, a bunch of talented folks here--John Davidson, Cristy Lane, Mitch Rider, all kinds of talent comes through here, Jo. I did a live radio show last Friday with Rodney Dillard at a theater here, with a bunch of Grand Ole Opry Stars on it. That was fun, too. It is real pretty up here-- clean air and water, too, no pollution and not much crime and stuff, so I really like it. You know, Dolly Parton has a theater here and Mickey Gilley, too. It is just a fun musical place. Just last week I went to see the Beach Boys here at The Mel Tills Theater, that was just awesome; that show was wonderful, Jo. Hey, thanks for the Q&A, Jo, and have fun.

Hey Gary, thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions! I read how you remember Lindsey playing a Strat often, and a Tele once in a while. Most of the people I play with have guitars like their "guitar heros" and recently I have been saving money for a white Les Paul like Lindsey's. However, I already have a few Strats, and a Tele. Can you remember at all what color(s) his was or were? I was also wondering what kind of direction you had from Stevie or Lindsey while recording B/N, was it like a laid-back "do what you want to, just make it sound good" or were they more possesive of their songs, like "hit the snare here, and then go to the ride here, and fill here." Also, how many takes did it take to record most of the songs, was there just some parts that you, or the other musicians just had a hard time on for some reason that took forever to get right? Thanx again. (Jeremy Keller, Gloversville, New York, USA)

Hi Jeremy-man, I love New York! Lindsey had a black strat, I believe, and I saw him play a white tele, too. He has since had custom guitars made to specs he likes. You know he played banjo, guitar, drums, chairs, boxes, all kinds of stuff when I worked with him…very creative guy…but Strats and Teles stick out in my mind. Yes, they wanted certain effects from certain instruments, and they got 'em or it did not go on the album. Lindsey worked closely with me on the Frozen Love tracking session, guiding and letting me know in a nice way what he was after, and it was up to you to deliver it with feeling, one more time with feeling! Yes, we cut to perfection as many as it would take; fortunately, it did not take many, maybe two or three passes, or for more intricate tracks a few more. It was a long time ago but it is still pretty fresh in my memory. It was hard work. I remember coming out of the second tracking of Frozen Love with a sick headache; it was very demanding. So enjoy the tracks, ok?

Hi Gary, Thanks for taking the time for this Q & A session. I am thoroughly enjoying reading about your experiences. Buckingham Nicks is a very special record. From your point of view, what factors made the Buckingham Nicks et al. sessions so successful? Comraderie? Rehearsal? Attention to detail? (John Michelini, Redwood City, California, USA)

Hi John--thanks for the fine comments. Well, first of all, we all had a great sense of Love for each other; we all loved music and Lindsey and Stevie were in great spirits and excited about doing the project, as they had worked hard to get a record deal. You know they don't just hand those out to anyone, ha ha. You know, John, it was just a very magical time… I guess I liken it to the early Beatle days and what it must have been like for them-- making friends and sitting around playing music and doing gigs together and all. Yes, we had rehearsals and lots of pre-production activity; we all kinda hung out together (and Lindsey-- we called him "Buck") and we just had fun fun fun doing all this. I believe they were so elated with the project, Keith, Lindsey and Stevie all took a trip to Hawaii after it was done-- but a few months later the big letdown came and Polydor shelved it as "too folky." I wonder sometime what happened to that A&R guy; I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall at that meeting after the first FM album came out, ooooo don't you know heads rolled on the BN deal. You know they re-released that album six or seven times after all that went down; they were really stupid, no insight at all. We were struggling, too, and it would have been nice to have gotten the recognition at the time and financial help, too… that was so needed by all involved. Well, lets see… if I didn't cover you here, write back, ok? Gary

Back in the day, when you were all struggling musicians can you remember if Stevie and Lindsey were generous to their friends with money and things despite things being tight? It seems like they had friends who believed in them and helped them out. It's nice to read your comments and sense the warmth that you feel for these two. (Liz Niziolek, Forestville, Connecticut, USA)

Hi Liz,

Yes, they were more than generous! As a matter of fact on the Alabama dates they didn't even take any money from that-- they gave me a thousand (I don't know what Tom and Bob got) but they took nothing and were always sweet about everything. I think they were just good kids from good families and were wonderful friends at the time, too. Hey, I would work with them in a heartbeat again, and welcome the opportunity, too, Liz. I watched them soar to super stardom and I am proud to have been a small part of their success. Maybe they will re-release the BN deal right on CD and tour behind it a little. I don't know…. but it would be a big draw and wouldn't cost a record company too much-- they would profit, I am sure, and it would be fun to do the tour or some recording with them. I do miss them terribly. Love, Gary

Hello Gary Hodges, Thanks for the interesting and fun answers to us fans questions! It is a pleasure to hear some good input about Stevie and Lindsey's lives! They are so good on stage together and as Keith Olsen said...They were meant to sing together!

You are awesome on Frozen Love...I just listened with new appreciation for the drum track! Lindsey likes to tone the drums down sometimes to fit the song nicely and you did just that ! Than the energy comes thru at the right moment! Lindsey plays for the song not to enhance his own guitar playing! Less Is More! He seems under appreciated by the guitar world and this makes me as a dedicated fanatic of his music very sad! :-(

Maybe Lindsey or Stevie will see this and invite you to delight us with the favor of your playing on some extra tracks on The Buckingham/Nicks album when it is re-issued! You deserve some recognition! My question...Was the basement studio on 7th. Street in LA? Blessings to you for Great Music ! ! ! Best Wishes. (Charlotte Ann Mac, North Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA)

Hi Charlotte,

Thank you for all the nice comments dear, you sound awfully energetic and full of life itself. Yes, I agree with you on many points there. The house I speak of was in Studio City, just off Barham Blvd, as you would exit to go to Universal Studios for the big tour. I forget the name of the street but it was a quaint little place an addition to an already constructed house built by a man named Byrd. Tiny little dwelling, and affordable, but in that very basement history was made, Charlotte! :):):) Don't be sad, as I have a feeling things may finally get the notice they deserve; when stuff like this comes to light it is a wonderful magic that occurs--like if they would just release the CD it might start the whole thing over again, kinda like the reissue of all the Beatles stuff did when it all came out again in CD format. That would be so nice. I believe they already have an idea what will be on it; I have heard that a song called "Without You" might appear on the reissue. Well, we can hope can't we? Love, Gary

Hi Gary :) Thank you so much for your enlightening answers thus far! I hope you're ready for more ;) Was Lindsey acting as producer for "The Basement Tapes"? Was Keith involved in those jam sessions at all? And when you actually began recording them in the studio, did Keith keep to the arrangements you had worked out? (Tracy Garner, Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

The basement tapes were a separate thing altogether; that was Linds constructing songs, and the studio with Olsen was a master recording of those songs constructed in the basement (and who knows where else he wrote…) They used to sit down on the floor and work on vocals and arrangements right at the house…interesting to watch this go down, if you can imagine sitting there while they worked out parts and this and that together. It was fun just to be with them-- good energy, pure and simple.

How long did it take for you to realize that the Buckingham Nicks album was going to receive little support from the record company? It must have been devastating for you to have this wonderful record the public at large would never even hear of. (Tracy Garner)

Well, the news came pretty quick. I was kinda let down by the powers that be on this one; I thought, man, what is going on here, this is nonsense, this record is great…but in the back of my mind I thought well, this isn't over yet, there will be a time, it will come to light, and it is slowly getting there-- it is just nearly thirty years later. That's a shame, isn't it?

How long did it take you to regroup and begin work on the next B/N album? From what I understand, Lindsey and Stevie were offered the use of a studio and Keith was not involved in those sessions at all. Was it the same sort of environment as "The Basement Tapes" sessions? (Tracy Garner)

No, Richard Dashut secured some after hours time at Studio b in the Sound City complex there, and we went in late to track. We just got together and met and did it. It was fun.

How did it feel to play those live shows knowing it was the end? Especially since you were playing new material that had been written for a new B/N album. (Tracy Garner)

Hi Tracy, Well, very sad is how it felt--it was the end of an era for us (the band )as they were going on and we weren't. It felt real final. I was a little depressed about it; we had cut some demos and were trying still after the label said "too folky." It felt very sad but we gave it all we had for those last shows together, all we had…I did, anyway.

How 'green' were Lindsey and Stevie when you started working with them? Did it take them long to acclimate to the studio environment? I guess they had some experience recording their demos on Lindsey's 4-track. (Tracy Garner)

Oh no, they had experience and plenty of it; why, they opened for Hendrix and Joplin and a bunch of folks in the Bay area, and they knew what they were doing and what they wanted, too. They had some good friends to help and people liked them a lot. We played around LA a little, too.

Gary, you mentioned that last week you saw the Beach Boys at the Mel Tillis theatre. I am wondering, what Beach Boys were there? I thought they were going to pack it in after Carl died. (Timothy Kee, North Huntington, Pennsylvania, USA)

Well, actually Mike Love and Bruce Johnson were out front-- the other members were hired hands. It was a great show, very powerful. I loved it. They mentioned something offstage that there was another Beach Boys splinter group, and they dedicated a song to Carl Wilson--I believe it was "In My Room". They made a little stab at N' Sync and Backstreet Boys by saying, "eat your heart out, guys, we were the first vocal group," and they were. They did ten shows from the 30th to the 3rd of June at Mel's theater; it was packed out at $31.00 a ticket for the ten days. I believe they made a cool million for their visit here. Thank you for the Q&A, Timothy.

Wow, that story about the glow really freaked me out. How cool! Anyway, I've always felt that certain people are very gifted and thier creativity and ka or spirit (whatever you want to call it) lasts through many lives and never ends. I feel Stevie is one of these people. Do you feel she was put here to preform? Wado ale dohiyi (Thanks and peace) Sorry if I got too trippy on ya. :) (Bridgette, South Carolina, USA)

No, that's OK-- it kinda startled me too… probably would have startled her if she looked in the mirror at that moment too, who knows? Yeah, some people have a lot of Theta (spirit)…well, the Greeks called it Theta; she definitely had a lot of it in her. She came from Phoenix, you know, so, very powerful little lady there. I don't know how to explain it really, but I was very sober and it was an "aura"… very strong in her, and she really glowed that night a lot. It frightened me at first, I lost my breath for a moment, if you can imagine looking up and seeing this phenomenon suddenly. I just thought well, I guess there is such a thing as a star, cause she lit up the room that night for sure.

:: Hi again! I'll say it again- You are awesome- you really seem to be enjoying this! The enthusiasm is overwhelming! You've mentioned several songs that weren't on Buckingham Nicks that were performed (and i'm going to echo Laura TN on the paint it blackish Rhiannon! Woo Hoo!!! Where's THAT tape hiding?) Do you remember how many songs were brought to the studio as possibilities for the album? Was there an overabundance of material to work with or had Stevie and Lindsey pretty much decided what they would do? (feel free to include any random cute stories if you want- I really dig them) Thanks again! (Jessica Leigh Badten, Camarillo, California, USA)

Hi Jessica,

Yes, I am just loving this. It is fun for me to speak after nearly thirty years of silence. Well, they had an abundance of material already; we cut this B rock tune several times, and the Rhiannon track. All I had was a live version I sent to Stevie; it was so fast she couldn't get the words in, I recall. It went over great live, though. I think we rehearsed or cut Monday Morning, I Don't Wanna Know, and Lady from the Mountain. I recall working up Sorcerer and Rhiannon, Races are Run, Don't Let Me Down Again, Crystal, Frozen Love, Blue Letter, oh let's see, just a bunch of stuff for our shows we did together. As far as cute stories-well, let's see… I remember riding with them and they would sing in the car, and Stevie had this little poodle that you would swear was human the way she talked to it; she loved that dog so much. She was a very interesting person to be around; I learned a lot from her, really. She had a lot of very deep values and beliefs and I recall them both being very intelligent life to be around. We had breakfast together sometimes and she loved French toast and omelets; I ate with them and shared meals often when we were hanging out together. She once told me I was great on the road. Hey, I really miss them, girl. Those two were the love of my life. Perhaps we will play together again before it is all over. Perhaps.

Hello again, Gary! I have read many times how when the Buckingham Nicks album didn't sell very well, and right before Stevie and Lindsey joined Fleetwood Mac, Stevie went through a period of being quite depressed about her career...so much so, that she gave herself six months to see how things went after speaking to her Dad, and if she was still not really going anywhere, she would quit the business and go back to school, and let her parents help support her through it...and that she then traveled to Aspen, where the beginnings of "Rhiannon" were born (I love this song, and named my daughter Rhiannon ten years ago!). Do you recall her feeling this way, and how hard the times were for her and Lindsey? Did she ever express to you these feelings, and/or that she knew, deep down, that they would make it one day, eventually? Thank you for all your wonderful answers! (Claudia, Moab, Utah, USA)

Hi Claudia,

Yes, they were crushed. I was, too, and I do recall these times you mentioned, and yes, there was an offer from home to help and I believe it was seriously considered. I remember going through some extremely tough times in LA myself, and there were some lean times for them, too. I spent ten years there and it was not all pleasant. It was kinda fun when I met them, as we did some fun music and were really trying to nacho it so to speak-- playing at the Star Club together and cutting demos and doing some tour dates-- it was a taste of what could be and wasn't, so all the things you have heard are true and then some. I remember talking to Lindsey one night on the phone and he said, "I got a break here." I lost them to Mick after spending some wonderful times with them; it just crushed me, Claudia. Then I watched them soar to super stardom with all the trimmings, too, they got the dream. But yes, I recall all of those rough times and decisions that were made, and the good and bad times both. I hope this covered your question. We spent about three years as friends and a lot went on in that period. The music I have very fond memories of.