Rolling Stone Bekka Interview

[Mr Scarrott]

Originally Posted by Penguin Emeritus

Bekka didn't mention it, maybe she didn't know but John was against that song also. On ebay awhile back there had been a letter from Mick to John written on hotel stationary asking him to rethink why he (Mick) who had always supported what others in the band wanted to do could not have the chance to maybe put out an idea of his own, something along those lines.

Apparently John objected to the mention of God in that song, and Mick was trying to explain how it was all about his individual struggles and journey, not supposed to be any sort of religious preaching by using that word. (I wonder if chris felt the same as john...?)

it was like 3/4 of the letter and i remember i felt kind of bad for mick, having to
beg to get one of his ideas on the album. it was actually a nice letter.

but i guess in the end he won everybody over.

--Lis

Oh, that is interesting, thanks Lis. The "God is nowhere, God is now here" thing is a bit banal, I think, however. If you look at the credits for "These Strange Times" only Mick and Bekka from the band are listed as performing on it- no John so maybe that tells us something. I had always wondered why that was.

[Macfan4life]

This was a great interview. I did not realize what a mover and shaker she was. She dated Ritchie Sambora at his prime in the late 80s is all you need to know. Ritchie dated Heather Locklear in the 90s and they were the power couple. For her to date him when he could have any woman in the world tells you everything you need to know.

A few themes keep popping up. The drinking was really bad. It was shocking to learn from Billy that the Beach Boys fired Fleetwood Mac from their tour because of Mick and Billy's drunken antics. But she says she was drunk most of the time too. Mick puking in buckets says much.

Everyone still walking on eggshells with Stevie. Chris personally gives her permission and encouragement to do her songs live. Yet Christine warns her about doing some Steive signature songs. For the love of GOD, here we go again. It almost feels like Buck/Vie not calling their album Fleetwood Mac.

Mick treats everyone as disposable for his personal monetary gain. He needed her but then saw bigger bucks without her and fired her. Sounds like Lindsey's firing too.

There was a Dance interview with Stevie where she is asked about Bekka and Stevie puts on the record she was concerned they were going to perform her songs.

Stevie accusing someone of over singing is funny. Bekka should have responded that at least she remembers the lyrics to her songs

Good that Pat Benatar was so nice to her. Sadly Stevie was not.

I wish we still could get the context of that photo of Stevie on stage with her in Nashville posted here years ago.

A few interesting tid bits in her repeatedly referring to Stevie not being well. Was the band just making time (pardon the pun) until Stevie was well enough to come back. Was the Dance delayed because of Stevie's well being? Is this the reason Chris warned Bekka about Stevie songs because she knew they would all have to deal with Stevie again. Hmmmm.

What Chris wanted to say:

Chris: Look Bekka, Stevie is very sensitive and psycho just like Lindsey said. Its not smart to sing Stevie songs. You look better than her and can sing better than her. Mick needs her back so he can get out of bankruptcy again.
Bekka: I am sorry, I will not offend anyone. I just want to sing.
Chris: Yes darling but we are the ones that will have to deal with the aftermath. Sing my songs all you want and sing them with heart.
Bekka: Thanks Chris. That means so much to me.
Chris: Please watch playing that tambourine. Just make sure to always play the beat and not off beat otherwise Stevie will accuse you of copying her trademark.
Bekka: God help me. What did I get myself into.

[jmn3]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Apparently, the ENTIRE WORLD hates Dave Mason.

I think it's awesome that Christine was so nice to her.

LOL yeah I caught that too. She despised him. EVERYONE does!

[Villavic]

Four years to record Rumours? I never knew they started to record it before meeting Stevie and Lindsey.

[HomerMcvie]

Originally Posted by Villavic

Four years to record Rumours? I never knew they started to record it before meeting Stevie and Lindsey.

Exactly. That's some Stevie Nicks School of Mathematics stuff.

I'm sure it felt like 4 years, though.

[aleuzzi]

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Exactly. That's some Stevie Nicks School of Mathematics stuff.

I'm sure it felt like 4 years, though.

I got the sense Bekka was remembering the exact words Richard said, but that he said them as hyperbole. She rambles a lot and some context gets lost for sure. Or: maybe she stinks at math!

[aleuzzi]

My overall impression is that Bekka is an authentic person—an honest, often messy, sometimes dysfunctional person. I believe what she says about Mick, Billy, Christine, and Stevie. And I believe that her impression of Bob Welch at that time is accurate.

The Jani story was brutal. In fact, Bekka can claim to have lived through and witnessed some pretty rough times.

Belinda Carlisle as a mean girl—I’m not surprised. Pat and Neil as down-to-earth and warm. No surprises there, either.

I felt her sadness when she quietly confirmed that she lost the house. How devastated she must have felt.

[Street_Dreamer]

Originally Posted by aleuzzi

I got the sense Bekka was remembering the exact words Richard said, but that he said them as hyperbole. She rambles a lot and some context gets lost for sure. Or: maybe she stinks at math!

She mentioned being the 13th member of FM which she wasn't. At best she would have been number 15 to that point. She probably didn't know Bob Brunning was the original bassist and forgot about Dave Walker or Bob Weston. It's a minor nitpick though.

This article was reaffirmation for me why I love Bekka. Of everyone who's been in the band, she's probably the most genuine, authentic and down to earth. I don't see how anyone could read this article and end up not liking her.

Stevie's comments about Bekka "oversinging" are obviously laughable and quite rich considering the source. Her REO Speedwagon comment may have been out of pocket but at the same time, I can't blame her. Who wants to be around constant in-fighting and nit-picking all the time especially when you're going on stage night after night. It has to be draining for someone like her who is so energetic when performing.

I'm so glad that like Billy, Bekka has a very positive perspective about her time in Fleetwood Mac when I think most people wouldn't had they faced similar criticism and been treated the same way. I really hope she can get some more music out. She has to have enough connections in Nashville for someone to release her material on an independent label.