Bob Welch Q&A Session, November 1999

Bob Welch, November 8 - 21, 1999

Bob, let me tell you this Q&A session is the most revealing to date. You are very sincere with us, and that´s priceless for people who have been into BW and FM music for so many years. It really helps to understand a lot of things.

I would like to ask you much more questions, but I suppose you must be swamped with them. So just let me add some comments/questions about Heroes Are Hard To Find.

How was the development of such "atmospheric" songs like Coming Home and Safe Harbour? Was it easy for you to explain to the other members of the band what you really wanted? What is Safe Harbour about? ("just a fine and safe harbour...?")How many guitars are there? Are they all Les Pauls? One of the guitars is very Future Games-like. How did you get that amazing sound? (one of the most "transparent" sounds I´ve ever heard) What kind of amp did you use?. Another one is playing jazzy octaves. GREAT!

What harmony are you using in Coming Home? It´s so complex I still don´t know which chords do you use.

Bad Looser is the most Welch-influenced song by Christine McVie. Isn´t it?

Which is your favourite Paris album?

Which are your all time favourite rock albums? (If you have any)

And finally...a tricky one for Professor Welché. In most of your songs you write about finding meaning in a meaningless existence. After all those years and all your experiences... do you have ANY CLUE about what the meaning might be? (Daniel Galera, Madrid, Spain)

Daniel, you ask some detailed and thoughtful things, so let me give it a (I hope not too long !;-) "shot"..
One of the things about working with talented people, like the members of Fleetwood Mac, is that you don't really have to "explain" things like "atmosphere" etc. to them. They are all good enough musicians, and have trained their musical sensitivities to a point where they just sort of know, intuitively, what is needed for a certain mood. This is where "creative jamming" comes in. For instance, maybe I have an idea which consists of some partial lyrics, and chord changes for something which will wind up being "Safe Harbor". I don't have any idea what anything else will be like, when I just start playing with Mick, John, Chris , Bob Weston-whoever- and they just start playing whatever comes into their minds, while STILL keeping to the rough "outline" that I've sketched musically. There are usually very FEW words spoken when you are "working up" songs. Most of the communication is done musically, or with looks, gestures, head nods...stuff like that. Maybe somebody will shout, "G minor, not G major !" but that's about it. In a way, it's sort of like making love, it's all (mostly) NON-verbal, you communicate with your body language, and your instrument. That's why "rehearsals" of bands, as opposed to actual "performances", are often mind-numbingly boring, unless you're IN the band, and actually participating, or, if you know all the band members well, and can "get into" what they're thinking.
I can't exactly remember which or how many guitars were used on "S Harbor" or "Coming Home"....We would just keep putting parts on, or taking them off, until it felt 'right". Part of being a good musician, is knowing what "right" means...knowing when to stop, knowing what to leave out etc.
I've used so many different amps over the years, I can't remember exactly what I used on that record.
I think I have the "changes" to "Coming Home" written down someplace, but offhand I can't remember what the "progression" was....Oh wait...I just picked up the guitar and its:
Cminor 9th>
F sharpmaj7>
Fsharpmaj7/Eflat>
Aflat7>
Csharp7sus4 >
Fsharp maj7>
F7>
Bflatminor7 >
Aflat 7 >
Csharpmaj7 !
( Sorry...... all you non-musicians , take a snack break).
I think "Bad Loser" sounds like "me", because Mick played one of his "jungle" drum trademark things on it, and he didn't often do that on one of Christine's songs.
The 2 Paris albums are so different in conception, that I really don't have a favorite........
Daniel, I'll just say, I'm sittin' on this planet like all of us are, going ??? BUT, based on some experiences that I think I mentioned in a previous answer, at "The Monroe Institute" in Virginia for example etc and everything I've managed to glean from them, Carlos Castenada, Joe McMoneagle, various out-of-body experiences, the Christian Bible, certain "channeled" and other "UFO' information, Terence McKenna, PD Ouspensky etc etc etc....right now I am convinced that the "purpose" of this "existence" that we are all going through is to develop UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, in the sense of a "power" or "flow" that sustains this "creation", and then to refine and perfect the "modulation" of this unconditional- love- flow-, to the Nth degree......forever, in different forms, and lifetimes.
I think that eventually science and "religion" will become one body of REAL knowledge, NOT just "belief". I don't mean that this will be necessarily any of the world's religions as we know them right now. However, I do think, that each of the world's great religions has a "piece" of, the whole picture. Based on my Monroe Institute, and other experiences, I think I'm beginning to know, not just believe or hope, that our consciousness, ( although not our PHYSICAL bodies,) continues after the physical body dies.
Let's face it... Even SCIENCE says that the physical universe started from a mathematical point, much smaller than an atom,...and became what we see now... But straight physical science doesn't know what came before that tiny mathematical point, let alone what caused it, let alone what it was ! Notice I haven't use the word "God" in any of this ramble so far... That's one of the things I like about the Monroe Inst...., you can just use your own common sense and perceptions, without having to use loaded "buzzwords' like "God" and "Angels" etc. For instance, Monroe uses the neutral term "inspecs"( for "intelligent super-species) for what the old traditions might have called "angels". I think that the 60's broke a lot of taboos, and a lot of people explored the "sexual revolution", and that maybe one of the taboos broken in the next millenium will be a "lets really experiment and really find out something about life after death, is there a god, what IS God etc".

One quick question. Who was in the bogus FM? Thanks. (Edna, Boston Massachusetts, USA)

There was somebody by the last name of "Kirby" that's all I can remember. Evidently they were all English session musicians that Clifford had recruited...Pretty good too, just NOT Fleetwood Mac....

Hi Bob- You have obviously spent a lot of time answering all these questions, but I have just one quick one. There's been a lot of talk about "Hypnotized" but what about "Emerald eyes"? I really liked that song. also, was there a basic theme plan for 'Bare Trees'? It seems to be very bleak lyrically, which works well with Kirwan and yourself. Thanks again for your time! (Mike Paquet, Havertown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Mike, I think I talked about "Emerald Eyes" somewhere back in the previous questions...I don't want to be rude, and I love to ramble, but I'm gonna refer you to that, in the interest of brevity, and my own rapidly developing "carpal tunnel syndrome" ! ;-)
There was no overall plan to make "Bare Trees" sound "bleak"...It just happened..I think a lot of that mood comes from Danny's "angst" in his writing. He was not exactly a" happy go lucky" guy ! ;-)

I was just wondering, given your opinion that Mick sometimes doesn't realize he's just the drummer, what you thought of the way he slammed Lindsey in his autobiography, obviously lying, and justifying it with phrases like "That is what happened to the best of my memory or knowledge" stuff like that and then how Lindsey seemed to have forgiven him pretty easily. I guess Mick realized after the Time band that he couldn't really do it without Lindsey's help? what do you think? (Laura, Virginia, USA)

Laura, the only thing I can say about Mick's book, is that I thought it was pretty accurate about MY time in the band. Mick does take a few liberties like when he said, in the postscript, that I was living in Arizona "writing film scores".....The "Arizona" part was right, the "film scores" thing was not... But that's pretty minor.
Like I've said before, although I was hanging around a lot all during the making of the "White" album, Rumours, and "Tusk", and spent a lot of time at FM's sessions etc., because I wasn't actually IN the band, I can't say if I think what Mick says about Lindsey is accurate...or not... I just don't know, and Lindsey has never talked to me about Mick's book.
As I mentioned in another answer, (it might have been to one of your questions) Lindsey was frustrated by Mick, John, and Chris, right from the beginning...

Hmmmm...ok, I can't resist asking this one.

At the top of "section four" of the Q&A is a really cool photo of what appears to be your Buddhist doppelganger, "Foo-Man-Welch"...could you give some background on that photo. Where? When? Who did the make up? etc. (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Steve, shortwinded for a change are we ? ;-)
I think I explained in another answer that the "Buddhist doppelganger", was a Halloween thing that Wendy did on me ( I'll put up with almost anything !), and then she later realized that what she had dressed me up as resembled her taciturn "guide" at the Monroe Institute in VA.
( I can't believe it, I've actually been brief !;-)

Well, it looks like I've got some competition in the "Essay Question" category! :-) I've trained them well. ;-) (just kiddin')

Must be "synchronicity" or something, when I think I've come up with a question that hasn't been asked and I send it in...VOILA! I read where somebody has sent the same question at pretty much the same time. I'll try this one and see if somebody else is already on the same wavelength.

In a prior question, you said that "Ghost Of Flight 401" came from Mick's drumbeat & Christine's keyboards. You've also stated that French Kiss evolved from what would've been a third Paris album; "China" was intended for Paris. What other songs you've recorded for your solo albums we're originally intended for either Paris or Fleetwood Mac?

Now that your "Labor Of Love"..."Be Bop" is out for us to explore & enjoy, what's next for you?

Since my workload is increasing and my "on-line" time is getting cut significantly (sniff), I may not get a chance to GRILL you anymore this week. (but ya never know! :-))

I just would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU for:

1) all the incredible music you've given to the world already and anxiously await all new arrivals! (that includes "back catalog" reissues as well!)

2) influencing my guitar playing (as well as a lot of other's too, I have discovered over the years). Especially my use of stage footpedal effects.

3) showing us that songs can be about more than happy love & broken hearts...science, the apocalypse, and parapsychology CAN be song lyric topics!! I'll bet Chris Carter is a fan of yours...Night Watch, Hypnotized & Bermuda Triangle (among others) HAD to influence him on at least for a couple of episodes of "X-Files"!! ;-)

4) for "saving" Fleetwood Mac. And I do hope that some sort of reconciliation between "you & them" comes about....the Berlin Wall came down, so who knows?

5) Being so giving of your time & of yourself in answering our questions...letting us get to "know Bob Welch" (and being so patient with my ramblings)

Its been a PLEASURE AND AN HONOR to "converse" with you the past week or so and I hope that you've had as much fun with this Q&A as we have.

Also, I hope that our paths cross in some musical way someday.

Here's wishing you all the best, personally & professionally!

Oh, BTW....do you think Lindsey & Stevie will ever get back together romantically?? (jus' kidding!!) (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Steve, you may well have some competition, but you'll always be "King Of The Essayists" to me ! ;-)
One of the things I like about the internet is that it seems to be bringing back the art of writing, which I think is really cool....It beats sitting in front of the boob tube vegging out on Mayberry RFD reruns !
As to questions...Obviously, "Don't Wait Too Long" on 3 Hearts, was an FM song, that was never used. Sometimes song fragments would hang around for quite a few years, without getting used, and then I would find a way to bring them together for a new song. "Ebony Eyes" actually came about this way. I had a couple fragments and ideas laying around, and one was a melody for maybe some kind of "concept" thing, and the words said, "why-do-they-say-this-man-is-a-christian-just-cause-he's-bearing-a-christian-name"-. Of course, I didn't know what that meant, and I might have tried to "back-engineer" the song with that vague concept, but instead I re wrote the words to say, "well-have-you-seen-that-girl- in-the-corner- (repeat, repeat, repeat) ...-I-would-be-changing-your-life- today-". Then I had some other thing that went, "you're eyes got me dreamin'", and "Ebony Eyes" sprung into noisy little life... I had probably had at least the 1st fragment laying around since the FM days. Had I stayed in FM, "Ebony Eyes" might well have been a Fleetwood Mac song.
I'm going to be working on 'promoting' "Bop", most of '00, and then in in late Spring I'm doing another course at Monroe Institute and may collaborate with some folks there on a music/deep meditation project.
I've got several "live" projects, that I might put out...As far as my next "new" straight music project, honestly I'm not sure yet...
I'm also always "pitching" stuff for TV shows, movies etc.
One thing I do know...I'm not gonna do another CD or anything, that isn't at least to some extent "a labor of love". In other words, I'll never try to "remake" French Kiss or something...
Steve, I've really enjoyed doing this q&a, It's a new experience for me to do something this "in depth", and the questions have all been fun and challenging to try to answer. I feel I know all of you all that have written in....it's getting so I could almost tell who wrote the question even if it wasn't signed !
As far as Stevie and Lindsey go.....well, they actually ARE married to each other, and living in my garage ! ;-) ;-) ;-)

Howdy there, Bob!

Firstly, I must admit that I'm just starting to get into the "pre-Rumours" era of Fleetwood Mac. Of course, I've heard the hits (Hypnotized, Ebony Eyes, etc.), but usually, the best stuff is not released as singles! For a new fan like myself, what would you suggest I start listening to from your stint in FM? Anything in particular I should start with from your solo work?

It seems a lot of folks like your new CD, and I'm seriously considering picking it up.

Finally, I've been following all of the Q&A's here on the Penguin, and yours has been by far the most informative AND entertaining, in my opinion. Great job, and here's to success for the new album. If you do tour again in the future, feel free to stop off in Oklahoma! ;) (Erick Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA)

Erick, my own favorites are things like "Revalation" from the Penguin album, "Future Games" from the "Future Games" album, pretty much the whole "Mystery To Me" album... My 3 favorite albums from my solo stuff are "The Other One", "Eye Contact" and "Bob W Looks At Bop". That's my judgement from a purely musicians perspective... The biggest "commercial" hits were on some of my other albums.
My new CD is very different, and may be an "acquired taste" (like scotch whiskey) for some people...If you want to check it out, play some of the liquid audio files Marty's got up...
If I tour, Ok. City and Tulsa will certainly be stops !

Hey Bob, it's me again. What were the inspirations behind "Somebody", "Safe Harbour", and "Bright Fire"? Also, in "She's Changing Me", you mention "The Sweet Omega". What's that? (Brian Shoop, Cornwall, Pennsylvania, USA)

Brian, the only trouble with song "explanations" sometimes, is they sort of do what music videos do to music, which is screw them up for any other interpretation. Some music should be left open to not be ABOUT anything specific, to leave some "wiggle room" for people's imaginations to work. Unless of course you're writing stuff like "money, cash, "ho's" in which case there ain't much to interpret.
Having said that........... "Somebody" I guess was about then president Richard Nixon, but it could really be about anybody in a position of power over other people, who abuses that power.....
"Bright Fire" was very loosely referring to the Vietnam war, and in general to the terrible suffering that man inflicts upon himself...
The "sweet omega" in "She's Changing Me" makes a (cleverly disguised ;-) reference to Teilhard De Chardins "Omega Point", which is kind of like Terence McKenna's "singularity at the end of history", or the Christian "rapture" and "new heaven and new earth", or the Buddhist "enlightenment", or the Monroe Institutes "reassembling of the cluster" or again, the Christian's "Christ consciousness" Confused enough yet ? ;-)
I used to do this quite a bit with some songs. On one level, they would be about a "girl", but another layer would have to do with all these "mystical" concepts which I was, and still am, interested in..

Ah, HAH!!! Thanks to "bugs" in the NEW computer, I get a chance to ask one LAST question from my old computer before I leave your typing hands to a physical therapist (well, I can't vouch for the rest of the people...they've still got ya for four more days!). ;-)

Since the "bogus band" debacle of '73, have you met or even inadvertently worked with any of the members of the "bogus band"...and has any of them ever apologized, either formally or informally, to you personally?

Once again, Bob, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for all the music you given us and WILL give us, and especially for taking precious time (and typing energy) to give us all more insight into you & your life, your music, and Fleetwood Mac.

PS- Do you find that doing three octave major scales in all keys helps stretch out those sore muscles in your typing fingers?? ;-) (Steve Denison, Long Beach, California, USA)

Steve, no, I've never met any of the "bogus band" guys, and nobody ever apologized. And you're very welcome, as I said, this has been fun ! Really though, typing is a LOT more work than playing the guitar !

Place your order for Welch's solo album, Bob Welch Looks At Bop now ! The supply of these albums is limited and are in stock now. They are autographed by Bob Welch and are priced at $14.25 + $1.75 S/H. You can place your order for this album now in The Penguin Album Corner. Thanks!

Just wanted to say that I received "BOP" and it's something else! Your guitar work is excellent on it -- it reminds me more of your style with Fleetwood Mac than on your previous solo albums -- anything to that? The "Silver Heels" references/update is totally cool -- one of my favorites of your songs. Your voice sounds very different on "BOP." I can't figure out if it's been "electronically enhanced" or what's going on in certain spots. Maybe you're just singing in a lower register. Maybe it's not even you!

By the way, I always thought your work on HEROES ARE HARD TO FIND (the first Mac album I bought) was fantastic. "She's Changing Me" should've been a hit. Take Care. (Rock Stamberg, Riverside, Connecticut, USA)

Rock, I'm very pleased to know that you like "Bop" ! The reason the guitar playing, and everything else on "Bop", is the way it is, is because the cuts on the album just evolved over a period of time, and originally, I had no plans to release any of it...It was something I was doing for me, just for fun and relaxation. So the whole record is very.....relaxed, which may be what you're hearing.
Nothing much has been done to my voice on "Bop", except maybe that I've pretty much stopped smoking, which helps the tone. Don't forget that there are other voices on "Bop" besides my own. Although I'm doing all the "lead" vocals, there are places where I had other people sing a part, or say something, or do a "counterline " to me, etc etc. Also, I tried to make each song as interesting as possible on it's own, like making each cut a "little world into itself". "Solo" albums that sound EXACTLY the same all the way through, tend to bore me, and so my vocal "approach", varies quite a bit. The "super-low" register voices that you sometimes hear, are sometimes me, sometimes somebody else. That "kid" on "Hustler", for example, is obviously not me..., but the "rap section" on "E-Ticket....." is.
Thank you for your other comments about "She's Changing Me"...I also feel it could have been a hit...Oh well.....

Bob, It's fantastic that you're spending so much time answering all of these questions. First, I just want to say that "Heroes" was the first Fleetwood Mac record I remember hearing - "Silver Heels" was playing quite a bit on the radio here back in those days! So it was that version of the band that really defined my perception of Fleetwood Mac.

I was curious as to whether you'd ever consider playing with Peter Green. I know your styles are not similar, but I've always thought they would mesh together well. It sounds as though you feel that Mick has a significant influence over Peter these days though, so maybe playing together would be tough to pull off even if you wanted to.

Are there any musicians in particular that you'd like to play with that you haven't been able to yet? (Ken, Oakland, California, USA)

I'd love to play with Pete Green...I wish life was that simple, but I'm afraid things like that, because of the politics and all the "water under the bridge" will probably never happen. I don't really know if Mick has any "control" over Pete Green....I do think Mick would LIKE to have some control over him though... Like at one time he had emotional "control" over Stevie. Control, is Mick's 'thing'.
It'd be interesting to play with Eddie Van Halen, Phil Collins, Billy Cobham or (saxophonist) James Carter...

Hi again, Bob! Thank you very much for answering all of our questions. It sure is a treat for us fans. We will always love your music and support you 100%. I know you have a lot of questions backed up and time is running out, so I will get right to the point:

1) One of my favorite songs of yours is “Something Strong.” It was only issued as the B-side of the “Precious Love” single and, to the best of my knowledge, no where else. Why was this great song never included on an album? What are your feelings about this song?

2) On the “Bermuda Triangle” live CD from 1974, you talk and tell stories to someone named Boog. Actually some times it sounds like you say Boob, but I doubt that. Who is this person?

3) What was the name of the Kenny Rogers song you co-wrote?

4) Do you still hold rights to the name “Paris?” I think there is a rapper who goes by that name. Does this bother you?

5) Had you heard any of Christine’s songs from the White Album in 1974, before you left the band? Did she use them to motivate you to stay?

6) Who is the song “Church” about?

7) Who is “The Girl Can’t Stop” about?

8) What the heck is a “Danchiva?” (Great song by the way!)

9) In Mick’s book, he referred to being a bit nervous about you hearing them do “Hypnotized” without you. He mentioned a time when you were sitting in the crowd and he hoped you liked it. What would you say about this situation? Did they do a good job?

10) Did you read Mick’s book?

11) If so, were the circumstances surrounding Danny Kirwan’s departure accurate from your point of view?

12) That night where the four of you were on stage and Danny was sitting in the audience after walking away must have been crazy. What are your recollections about the concert that night? It must have been a huge strain on you. How was this more difficult from when you played on stage as the “Heroes” lineup? Did you have to play Danny’s songs without him?

13) You touched upon this before, but I am not sure I understand. Are the drum parts on “Hypnotized” Mick playing very constant or is that just a short recording looped over and over? How did he make those cymbal sounds so constant? I am not a musician, so chances are I won’t understand the technical aspect of it! “Hypnotized” is my favorite FM song and I have always wanted to know.

14) Kind of a silly question: Did it ever bother you that the Cy Young award winning pitcher shared your name? Have you two ever met? It could be like a Paul Simon the senator meets Paul Simon the musician scenario.

Thanks again! You are the BEST!!!! (Rob Hylen, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

Zowie Rob, a 14 parter ! Steve Denison is going to be talking to you about this ! ;-) In order then:
1. I really like the way "Something Strong" chugs along relentlessly...that's me doing my "Motown" thing...the songs went..bam...bam..bam.. I really can't remember why the song was left off the album..
2. "Boob" on the "Heroes..." bootleg would be Bob Hughes, who was the recording engineer on "Heroes ...." and also on that live performance, which was recorded at the Record Plant in Sausalito CA near San Francisco. I could see him through the glass while we were doing the show, and kept trying to make him laugh.
3. The Kenny Rogers song is "Find A Little Grace", on Rogers' CD called "Across My Heart". The co-writer on the song is Jim Weatherly, who wrote "Midnite Train To Georgia" etc etc.
4.Yes, there is a rapper who calls himself "Paris", but no, that name is not owned by me, and probably isn't even "copyrightable".
5. I don't think Chris had completed any of the "white" album songs when I left...I only heard those songs four or five months later, in the studio.
6. The song "Church" is about somebody "unreachable" but not about any specific person, I just liked the "craft" of using "church" references.
7. The girl can't stop is about an ex-girlfriend, who really wanted to "make it" in Hollywood.
8. "Danchiva" is the "Dance of Shiva". "Shiva" is a mythical Hindu god, who is responsible for the creation, and destruction, of the world. 'Shiva" "lives", in the "space behind your eyes", and the "space between the notes", in other words, the "void", which is a Buddhist concept, that places like the Monroe Institute now also uses.
9. FM always did "Hypnotized" great without me... It wasn't really Lindsey's kind of song though...I can't imagine him enjoying doing it....
10. Yes, I read Mick's book.
11. I'd have to re-read the part about Danny to be sure, but I think it was pretty accurate.
12. To do a whole set without Danny was tough, because all the band arrangements depended on him being there for a guitar part, or vocal part or whatever.I was also extremly p---sd off, and the set seemed to drag on forever. I think we told the audience Danny was 'sick'....which, I guess he was in a way...
13. "Hypnotized" is NOT a drum "loop", but is actually Mick playing straight through...Talk about "carpal tunnel", I don't know how he did it ! This was in the days long before anybody thought of using drum loops, and Mick was one of the few drummers who could have pulled off being a "human drum loop". The cymbals etc. are all what Mick played on the spot, not recorded later etc.
14. Yes I have met the pitcher "Bob Welch" several times, once at a wild halloween party.... He's a LOT bigger than me ! But there are "Bob Welchs" all over the place...It's a very common name, like " Bill Smith" or something....

Thanks so much for autographing the CD's! Mine just came - I have always wanted to own something signed by a Fleetwood Mac band member and now I do! I will treasure it always. I have some questions:

I have read Mick's book and he comes across to me as seeming to think Fleetwood Mac is kind of his "child" and that he is the "daddy" - he seems to think Christine's "Oh, Daddy" is about him, and he seems pretty possessive about the band. Do I have the right idea here? This may explain why he seems to think he can control what the band does? He always seems to be the spokesperson - why is that? did (does)nobody else want to be? or he wouldn't let them?

Was Mick managing the band when you were in it? I know he was when Lindsey and Stevie first joined because it was slightly after that that the band "fired" him because of "missing" money..I always call it "Mick's Missing Millions" ...=:-) (Vianna, Alexandria, Virginia, USA)

Vianna....I think your "psychoanalysis" of Mick is pretty "right on"...
Mick is a Cancer, with moon in Virgo. He is VERY possessive, and "nurturing", as you say, like a 'daddy", (or really "mommy') towards Fleetwood Mac, who he thinks of as "his" big extended family. Like (some) families, unhappily, Mick only "nurtures" those members that are USEFUL to him at any given time. Mick thinks of FM his. Any new member post Peter Green, that has been added, is made to feel lucky that Mick has "blessed" them with the Mac Magic Wand. This has been reinforced over the years because Mick has been so incredibly intuitive, and lucky, at making all the right moves for the band at the right time. I WILL say, that if he hadn't been there, Fleetwood Mac would have ceased to exist a long time ago....give him credit, where credit is due. But Mick does not treat other band members as equals, since the Pete Green days. Pete Green, before his problems, I think was Mick's "daddy". When Pete Green got "sick", and left, I think Mick took over Pete Green's role as absolute leader, and will never give that up . Fleetwood Mac, is Mick's whole life, and he'll do anything for it's survival.
Mick was not managing the band when I joined. Mick and I co-managed the band after the Davis lawsuit, and when I left, Mick assumed total control. The decision was made, during the Davis lawsuit, that Fleetwood Mac would never again have an "outside" manager. I must say Mick has stuck to at least THOSE principles !
I don't know too much about the "missing money"... My opinion is that they just spent more than they made, believe it or not !

Hi Bob. Thank you so much for participating in this forum with us. I originally got interested in Fleetwood Mac after your tenure had already ended, but I was very happily surprised to discover you and your music as I learned about the band's history. Just like the Green years, and the Buck-Nicks years, your years in the band have a very distinct attitude and sound. I love the jazziness that you brought. It's wonderful stuff.

This is sort of an icky question, but I gotta ask. Richard Dashut has repeatedly expressed regret that Lindsey didn't get individual production credit on Rumours, or even full credit on Tusk either. I know you weren't in the band then, but knowing what you know about the attitudes of the parties involved, would you be inclined to attribute that oversight to some sort of purposeful action on Mick's part?? Was it "politics" as Lindsey has vaguely intimated in more recent years?

Your comments about the dynamics in the band have made a whole myriad of cryptic comments from Lindsey, Stevie, and even a few by Vito a lot clearer to me, so this has been really fascinating to read your recollections and impressions. Thank you for being so open with us.

I heard an interview with you on a radio show some months ago -- the Kevin Bacon Guitar Show, me thinks. I thought I remembered you mentioning that in addition to your current new album, you were also working on an album, or thinking about making an album of contemporary remakes of some of your Mac material. Was that just a product of my questionable memory, or is that something you are working on? If so, what songs are you thinking about including?

And finally may I just tell you that "Emerald Eyes," vaulted into my list of all-time favorite songs upon first listen. I NEVER get tired of that song. Thank you for writing it. (Les, San Diego, California, USA)

Les, glad to hear you like the "middle period" FM !
I don't know the details of Lindsey's deal, or lack of one on Rumours and Tusk...I do know that Lindsey insisted on having a bigger role in the production of Tusk, and Fleetwood Mac always was "about" intra band politics...so who knows !;-)
Yes, the whole thing about the "vibey" atmosphere in the band has needed to be said,for years...I guess I'm sort of a "senior member" among all the ex-Macs, and I've ALREADY had my "run in" with the "terrible triumvirate" of "MickJohnandChris", so I guess I've been able to say what the others don't yet feel comfortable saying. But they think it !
I haven't done any radio interviews talking about my new CD yet, so I don't know what you heard....I may, at some point do remakes of some of my more "mystical" material, both from the FM days, and after. Thanks for your comments about "Emerald Eyes" !

I love your new CD, Bob. Two of my favorite songs are "Hustler" and "E-Ticket to Fly." I was wondering what (if any) rap or hip hop records you might listen to or any rap influences you may have. Thanks for a great CD!! (Keith, Washington, DC, USA)

Keith, I'm really pleased to know that some of you Fleetwood Mac fans like my new CD ! It lets me know I'm not just "shooting in the dark ! ;-)
Like I mentioned before, I like Wyclef Jean, Limp Bizkit..even Jay Z sometimes. Some of these rappers, even though I might not like the violent and hopeless lyrics, have really had the guts to invent a whole new way of producing music. The "collage" approach, use of "samples" and "quotes" from other peoples material, didn't exist before the rappers started doing it. In some ways, I put the "rappers" with the "boppers" like Charlie Parker etc; i.e. they took chances, a lot of people said it wasn't even "music" etc., nothing else sounded like it etc etc.
I tried to use a little of the hip hop-rap vibe on "BW Looks At Bop"

Hi again Bob. Here are a few more questions for you to ponder.

1) What is the funniest memory that you've had in your long career?

2) What was the thinking behind the very disturbing cover to "Heroes Are Hard To Find?"

3) If you had it to do all over again, what, if anything, would you change?

4) Why not have a one-off "X-Mac" jam at a Nashville club, since I know you, Billy, Rick, and Bekka all live in Nashville. You know, a freebie club show.

5) Finally, I would like to wish you the best of luck with the new and future albums. I do hope that you decide to tour, as I've always wanted to see you in concert. (Steve MacDougall, Columbus, Ohio, USA)

Steve, THE funniest memory I'm saving for my book !;-) But the 2nd funniest, is when the "Seven Souls" truck driver, Melvin, pulled up to the main entrance of the Sands hotel in Las Vegas, and because he wasn't "really" a truck driver, he forgot that the truck was too tall to fit under the entryway, and he knocked the whole front marquee down, lightbulbs were popping, plaster was flying everywhere...... We made a BIG entrance.
Heroes meant, "even a "geek" can be a "hero" to somebody". (Mick playing the "geek" in question.) The little girl is Mick's oldest daughter.
If I had it to do all over, I would have joined the Navy.....and I'm only partly kidding.... I love ships !
An ex-mac jam would be a lot of work, and I think all us Nashville ex Macs don't have the time to spare, cause we're doing other projects.
Hope to play in Columbus someday !

I've noticed that you, Bob Weston, and Delaney Bramlett have all done your most recent projects independently of major record companies and have done most, if not all, of your promotions on the internet. Do think that the advent of inexpensive recording equipment, the internet, and desk-top publishing programs that yield professional looking and sounding CDs and cassettes has the potential to radically change the music business? Do you think that more and more musicians who are disgruntled with the current state of the recording industry will be successful in recording and releasing new, original music. Or, are we all basically screwed?

You, Weston, and Bramlett all have notable histories, which will obviously help you sell CDs over the net. Do you think the net will be as helpful to newcomers? I guess, in short, should the technical revolution scare the big record companies? What do you see the industry looking like in 20 years? (Steve MacDougall, Columbus, Ohio, USA)

Steve, to the 1st part of your question, I'm going to make too easy on everybody, and just say yes, I agree with all your points.;-) I think the only function for some record companies in the future will be as giant pr. or marketing firms. You must realize though, that even a "recognizable" name will not necessarily sell records WITHOUT any marketing or publicity. Or, they might sell a certain # of records over a long period of time. The thing is with all the "major' labels now is, if you don't sell a half a million records within the 1st few months of release, they think you had a "flop" and won't continue to support you ! Their whole thing is, "big money...FAST". In contrast, I plan to keep my new CD out there forever, I don't care if it takes the next 20 years to sell it; I "believe" in it, I think it's good, and I don't EXPECT it to sell a million in the 1st year... Of course if it does, great ..;-)
I'm afraid the "major labels" will eventually take over the internet/music thing, but until then, there's a small "window" for true independents.
As far as 'production" goes, pro quality stuff has gotten so cheap that there's NO excuse for anybody to spend a million on a record anymore. If they do, it's because they want to impress their friends, NOT because they have to !

Oh Bob! I just read your answer about Mick and his need to control and the emotional control he had over Stevie. I know you want to save stuff for your book, but oh please Bob, please tell us more about that now! Did she ever confide in you her feelings about the other three as Lindsey did? How did this "emotional control" figure into the affair she had with Mick? And what kind of control did (does) Mick have over Lindsey, that would make Lindsey continually put aside solo projects whenever Mick came a callin'? Bob, thank you for your music and also for turning us on to some new philosophies. (By the way, the Park West here in Chicago would be a wonderful venue for you.) (Donna, Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Donna, I could go on and on about my "take" on Stevie, Lindsey, Mick, and everybody, but...I have to EAT !;-) I've gotta charge admission next time ;-) Please understand, I'm not trying to be "coy"..Thanks !;-)

Bob, What do you think of the current English music scene and why do you think English bands are finding it so hard to crack the States? (Monty, London, England)

Monty, to be honest, I don't know much about the current English music scene, except that it's supposed to be very dance, rave, trance, electronica etc oriented.......

Hi Bob, All my sympathy for all the typing. Especially if you only use two fingers (sometimes three) like me. Anyway I just wanted to say I've been a fan since I bought the Penguin album way back when. As far as I'm concerned Bob Welch was FM in those days! Revelation was and still is my favorite song. Basically all my questions have been answered previously. Also in reference to who was a guest on the Lindsey Buckingham Trouble video, I believe it was Bob Weston. Thanks for the music! (John Gallo, Rochester, New York, USA)

John, thanks for clarifying who was in the "Trouble " video, it was beginning to "trouble" me, like I had lost even more brain cells that I thought !;-)

Hi, again, Bob! No questions this time; I just wanted to reiterate (as if you didn't know by now!) how admired you are by so many. As a "younger" Mac fan (mid-20's), I have only recently gotten into the members' solo projects. A few years ago I found a cut-out CD of your 1981 RCA album (with a great track by a Canadian rocker who hadn't yet made it big!). That was all I had, though, until this past August, when within a couple weeks, I bought French Kiss, The Other One/ Man Overboard, and the two compilations (I love the Avenue M track!). All this great music convinced me that not many musicians can compose a catchier melody than you, and your arrangements are always interesting as well. The one downside to really getting into you, though, was that it seemed as though you had fallen off the face of the earth. And then "Bop" came along, followed by this Q&A. Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this for us, for continuing to create great, original, exciting music, and for being "Bob Welch, who just released....." rather than "Bob Welch, who used to be in Fleetwood Mac"! Good luck and happiness to you! (Jonathon Donahue, New York City, New York, USA)

Jonathan, what can I say to that but thank you ! ;-)

What was your first impressions of Stevie and Lindsey as people/a couple/musicians? Were Stevie's talents recognized at all by the band? (LauraTN, Morristown, Tennessee, USA)

Laura, when I first met Stevie and Lindsey it was in a working situation, at Sound City studio, and from what I heard on the playbacks, I could tell they were tremendously talented..... I'm sure the rest of the group thought the same.
Stevie was very outgoing, Lindsey more reserved but still likable. I never really saw them doing thing that 'couples' do, holding hands, cuddling etc., but of course I wasn't there all the time either...

Hello again.....upon reading the Q & A you mentioned saving stories for a book,are planning to writing book in the near future? What would you name your book? And my last question, Is there any current female artist that you would like to duet with? Take Care and Thanks for everything!!!!! (Christa, West Haven, Connecticut, USA)

Christa, yes I'm (slowly) working on a book about my life in music... I don't know what the title would be...
I'd like to do a duet with the singer in "Sixpence None The Richer", I don't know her name, or maybe Chrissie Hynde.

Bob, what is your fondest memory of Stevie, did you like her right from the start, Did Stevie or Lindsay ever talk about each other to you, did you catch any of Stevie's concerts last year for Enchanted and if so what did you think? Why didn't you and Stevie ever get together romantically? Has Stevie discussed her new album with you, and what do you think about Stevie working with people like Sheryl Crow and Dallas Austin? Thanks. (Melissa, Hemet, California, USA)

Melissa, I think I talked about what is MY fondest Stevie memory earlier in the q&a, which was when she "came to my rescue" at a horrible gig in LA... Please look at that...
Yes, I liked Stevie right away...She was very talkative, outgoing and friendly, always with a slight gleam in her eyes, fun loving. I don't remember either Stevie or Lindsey talking about each other to me..... I went and said hi to Stevie when she played here in Nashville last spring....I thought she looked and sounded better than ever, and that her band was real good !
I think Stevie had enough problems going on back then without ME trying to "hit" on her !;-) Being friends was enough !;-)
I haven't talked to her about her new album, but I think Stevie and Sheryl Crow might be a good musical match-up. Stevie probably needs to go a little more "raw", musically, for the 2000's, and I think Sheryl Crow can probably get that.....

What do you think of Warren Cuccurrullo as a guitarist? (James, England)

James, he's a fabulous player !