Rolling Stone

December 25, 1997

Fleetwood Mac

Imagine my shock when I opened my mailbox and found Rolling Stone with Fleetwood Mac on the cover ["Back on the Chain Gang," RS 772]. Hmmm . . . they aren't trendy; they weren't showing skin; they didn't have their underwear labels showing; they didn't look like they hate the world and everything it stands for. Could it be that they were on the cover because they were, and still are, one of the most provoking, sensual, innovative bands of our time? Why, yes! I think that's it. A classic rock band on the cover of Rolling Stone. I am amazed and pleased, and I absolutely loved the piece.

Melissa D. Fry
Meadville, Pa.

Aging, and in some cases broke, the members of Fleetwood Mac put their personal battles on hold to rake in millions for what is essentially a greatest-hits tour. Nostalgia carries a huge price tag. How ironic that a lot of their money went up their noses and now people will pay through the nose to see them.

Rich Brown
Richmond Heights, OH

You airbrushed Fleetwood Mac right back into the '70s. Let the band members show their age! A wrinkle is nothing to be ashamed of.

Angie Pacotti
Minneapolis, Minn.

Before there was Alanis, Fiona or Sarah . . . there was . . . Stevie Nicks!

Mike Downing
Crown Point, Ind.

I recently read your story; then I listened to Rumours, and I quickly added Fleetwood Mac to my running list of artists who were at their musical best when their lives were the most fucked-up. Thanks for the article; it made me feel quite healthy.

Kristen Connor
Cheshire, Conn.

After seeing your cover featuring the "druggingest band," Fleetwood Mac, it struck me that your magazine has had a preoccupation (or obsession) with drugs lately. I've been a reader of Rolling Stone for 15 years, and the emphasis on cannabis, needles and rocks is becoming sad. There are many positive things going on in entertainment that merit attention; why glorify addiction so consistently? No matter what anyone says, drugs aren't cool, and the people who use them are not heroes.

Eric W. Nelson
Mankato, Minn.