Fleetwood Mac: The Story Behind Christine’s Live Return

Stevie Nicks has talked to MOJO about Christine McVie's on-stage return to Fleetwood Mac last night at London's O2 Arena. Speaking in an interview to be published in MOJO 241 (UK shelf date October 29) the diminutive Mac singer confirmed that while McVie, who left the group in 1998, has “just returned to do one song” it could have been “a few songs” if it hadn’t been for one particular stumbling block.

“I think Lindsey’s words were ‘She can't just come and go’.”

“Lindsey [Buckingham] is very funny about that,” Nicks told MOJO’s James McNair. “I think his words were ‘She can't just come and go’. That's important to him, but it's not quite so important to me. Much as Lindsey adores her; and he does – she’s the only one in Fleetwood Mac he was ever willing to listen to – he doesn’t want the first night reviews to be all about Christine’s one song, rather than the set we rehearsed for two months.”

McVie was met with rapturous applause last night when she joined her old band to play keyboards and sing Don’t Stop, and she will be appearing with the group again at their final O2 show tomorrow. But, while the route to the stage hasn’t necessarily been a smooth one, Nicks also added that “it will be wonderful to have her back up there with us. And from there who knows.”

In a candid, funny and emotional interview, Nicks goes on to discuss her childhood, her solo career (“Fleetwood Mac weren’t that impressed") the "unresolved" aspects of her and Buckingham's relationship, and the bizarre night she slept on the floor of Prince's purple kitchen.

Here’s a grab from last night’s performance...

A new and expanded version of the Peter Green-era Mac’s Then Play On and a 1969-1972 vinyl box set are out now on Rhino.