Are Fleetwood Mac really finished? BOB MEHR asked MICK FLEETWOOD.
FOR MICK FLEETWOOD – the one constant figure and unwavering force during the entire 57-year journey of Fleetwood Mac – the last few years have been, by his own admission, a personal and professional challenge.
When the most recent incarnation of Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks, aided by Neil Finn and Mike Campbell – played the last show of a year-long world tour in November 2019, the drummer didn’t think it would be a final farewell.
“There was a full intention, without waiting too long, that we’d go and pick things back up,” says Fleetwood. “That we’d play stadiums, big shows and festivals… and then at that point it was heading towards us saying goodbye.”
However, in early 2020 – just after Fleetwood led an all-star concert tribute to late Mac founder Peter Green at the London Palladium – lockdown scuttled further touring plans. An even bigger blow to the future of Fleetwood Mac came in November of 2022, with the death of Christine McVie.
Though Fleetwood is open to the idea of adding a final chapter to the band’s story (see main piece), he is mostly resigned to the fact that Fleetwood Mac, or as he puts it “the mothership”, may be harboured permanently.
“It’s been a strange time for me,” admits Fleetwood. “Losing sweet Christine was catastrophic. And then, in my world, sort of losing the band too. And I [split] with my partner as well. I just found myself sort of licking my wounds.”
Then, last summer, Fleetwood’s adopted home of Maui, Hawaii – specifically the city of Lahaina – was ravaged by a series of wildfires that killed over 100 people, and destroyed some 80 per cent of its homes and businesses, including his long-running restaurant, Fleetwood’s, on Front Street.
“It was a hardcore hit for everyone on this lovely little island,” says Fleetwood. “I mean, we’re just lucky to be here –
