Stevie Nicks has confirmed that Fleetwood Mac will not reunite following the death of Christine McVie. The iconic band, known for its tumultuous history and timeless music, has reached the end of its journey, according to Nicks.
In a recent interview with Mojo, Nicks expressed her belief that Fleetwood Mac is now defunct. The passing of McVie in 2022 has left a void that Nicks feels cannot be filled. “Without Christine, no can do,” she stated. “There is no chance of putting Fleetwood Mac back together in any way. Without her, it just couldn’t work.”
McVie, who was a vital part of the band for over three decades, passed away unexpectedly. Her contributions to Fleetwood Mac were immense, with her voice and songwriting helping to create hits like “Everywhere” and “Don’t Stop.”
Nicks shared her emotional experience of losing McVie, describing it as “stunningly strange” due to the suddenness of her passing. She had planned to visit McVie upon learning of her illness but was advised against it by McVie’s family. “Her family said, ‘Don’t come, because she may not be here tomorrow.’ And the next day, she passed away,” Nicks recounted. “I wanted to go there and sit on her bed and sing to her, but I needed to be with her. And I didn’t get to do that. That was very hard for me. I didn’t get to say goodbye.”
Beyond McVie’s death, other factors contribute to the improbability of a Fleetwood Mac reunion. Long-standing tensions between Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, another key member, have made collaboration difficult. Additionally, the band members are now focused on their solo careers and personal lives.
Fleetwood Mac’s last major tour, “An Evening with Fleetwood Mac,” took place in 2018 and 2019. The tour featured Mike Campbell and Neil Finn, who stepped in after Buckingham’s departure. Their final performance was a benefit concert in San Francisco in November 2019.
Mick Fleetwood, the band’s drummer and founder, had hoped for a possible reunion with Buckingham. However, Nicks dismissed this idea, citing Buckingham’s health issues and the demanding nature of touring. “Even if I thought I could work with Lindsey again, he’s had some health problems,” Nicks said. “It’s not for me to say, but I’m not sure if Lindsey could do the kind of touring that Fleetwood Mac does, where you go out for a year and a half. It’s so demanding.”
Since McVie’s passing, Nicks has focused on her solo career, performing Fleetwood Mac classics during her shows. “When I walk on stage, I couldn’t be prouder of my band,” she said. “I mean, I would rather not be freed up from Fleetwood Mac, because of Christine. But I’m in a place where I can concentrate on my solo work. I can do anything I want now, and not have to worry about stopping and going back to Fleetwood Mac.”
Nicks remains committed to keeping the music of Fleetwood Mac alive through her solo performances. “Fleetwood Mac is all over my set. Now that there is no more Fleetwood Mac, that opens the door for me to do other songs, like ‘The Chain,’ that I’ve never done [solo]. I will keep the music of Fleetwood Mac alive, for as long as I can.”
Fleetwood Mac, formed in London in 1967, released 18 studio albums and sold over 120 million records worldwide. Their 1977 album “Rumours” alone sold more than 40 million copies and continues to be a staple in music history.
While the band’s journey has come to an end, the legacy of Fleetwood Mac and its members will continue to resonate with fans around the world. Stevie Nicks’ dedication to preserving their music ensures that the spirit of Fleetwood Mac will live on, even if the band itself does not.
