Fleetwood Mac

i read about a big controversy over how bob welch (among the numerous fm guitarists) was singled out for exclusion when fm was enshrined in the hall of fame. he speculated first that it was because he had filed a breach of contract suit against other band members and later that it was because the hall of fame voters didn't like his style of music. seems a bit cruel to me--granted "sentimental lady" should never be heard again, but "bare trees" and future games" were great 70s albums.

I agree with Loomisjohnson that "Future Games" was a great album and I hope that someone will re-master and release this on 180G vinyl. That was the debut of Christine McVie and just a good collection. FM is kinda like the band Yes in that they have had many incarnations of structure from the early days to the current reunion of the "pop" years.
I thought I read last year that Peter Green had passed? But like Yes' Chris Squire, I think Mick Fleetwood is the only member that has been on every album. SOmething to be said for copyrights.

Ahhh...my favorite band is back!

To some of the above thoughts/questions:

Peter Green is TTBOMK still alive and making blues records (as is Jeremy Spencer, the slide guitarist who was in the original FM line-up). Bob Welch committed suicide not too long ago, which may explain the confusion. I also read of bad feelings re: Welch's omission from the RR Hall of Fame, but I'm not sure what the exact deal was.

Personally, I feel that BW's highpoint with FM was "Mystery To Me", to which he contributed the track Hypnotized, among others. I also agree that this middle period Mac, with Welch and Christine McVie writing most of the songs, was a great period for the band - tho I personally think she was the more important influence on the band's ultimate direction. Nonetheless, IMO Welch was certainly a significant figure in that band's history.

Danny Kirwan, who joined after Brunning departed/John McVie arrived was the band's third guitarist. Both Green and Spencer have had fairly serious mental issues, Kirwan is - I believe - presently homeless, and Welch, as noted, met a sad end. Lindsey Buckingham should proceed with caution, as life has not been kind to FM's guitar players.

BTW, per the above speculation, I also believe that Mick Fleetwood is the only cradle to present day member of FM. The band's original bassist (John McVie initially refused to leave John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to join FM, even tho Peter Green had named FM partially after him) was Bob Bruning who IIRC also died a few years ago.

Since I'll be there anyway, I'm hoping to catch opening night of the new tour next month in Minneapolis. I understand that there'll be new songs, including several from McVie, so I'm champing at the bit.

I saw them last summer, 2013. They were fantastic! I believe you will be in for a treat.

I'm a huge fan of the original band. I've never had any use for the later, post-Peter Green versions but I understand the appeal. It's weird to me that the original blues band could have ever morphed into the final version simply because the styles are so very different.