RAY LINDSEY’S DELIGHTFUL MEMOIR, 'THE CARE & FEEDING OF FLEETWOOD MAC AND OTHER SPECIES' GIVES AUDIENCES A MUCH-NEEDED PEEK BEHIND THE WIZARD’S CURTAIN
Ray Lindsey has made a name for himself after decades of often thankless work as a roadie, and now we are all lucky enough to have his memoir, which details what his life was like traveling the world with famous rockstars. His book, ‘The Care & Feeding Of Fleetwood Mac And Other Species’ is a rare treat; before his memoir, honest and accurate glances behind the wizards’ curtain were more difficult to come by.
His efforts on the job were, thankfully, appreciated by those around him (usually); but, in a bustling music industry full of shapeshifting figures and timelines, holding your own is nothing short of impressive. This is especially true of the Fleetwood Mac era, in which the band and their team solidified their spot as a key component of the culture at large. Even the most contrarian hipster you know wouldn’t dare pretend they’ve never heard or enjoyed a Fleetwood Mac song.
The perspective provided by Ray Lindsey throughout his memoir captivates audiences not only through earnest retellings of his most cherished memories, but also by the way he accurately and tactfully describes the likes of Stevie Nicks, his mentor Lindsey Buckingham, and Prince. His narrative encourages fans and audio nerds alike to see these artists as three-dimensional people, despite them often being presented to us as something other than human. These nuances, preserved forever within Lindsey’s book, allow their art to transcend time, creeping into new playlists for budding generations of fans. This is especially true of the physical work he had done on the road and in studios with Fleetwood Mac. The most iconic performances in music history would not have been made possible without the help of roadies like him who do their job for the sheer passion for it.
This articulate memoir showcases the truth within the adage, “It takes a village” in show business. Lindsey certainly came from humble beginnings, but his open-mindedness allowed him to withstand the test of time as the music industry evolved, leaving him capable of sharing his story with the rest of the world–and I, for one, am so glad he did.
Writers tend to develop a voice to convey their story’s meaning in one way or another…from experience! At the end of the day, the goal is to authentically showcase what you’re trying to say while doing enough to keep your audience interested. Lindsey does both extraordinarily well; reading his memoir felt a lot like listening to my dad and his friends reminisce. They all raised themselves in the biz shortly after Lindsey did. Familiar venues and faces line the pages of “The Care & Feeding Of Fleetwood Mac And Other Species”.
I did not expect this to be such a comforting read, but I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself walking over to my dad’s room in our shared apartment, knocking on his door asking questions with the same attitude as Stewie from “Family Guy” begging for Lois’ attention. He answered some of my questions hesitantly, but I believe that after reading the book himself, he will become much more enthusiastic about each inquiry because he will be prompted to remember the good ol’ days.
I feel a deep, personal connection to Lindsey’s story for a multitude of reasons, but one stands out. For fear of spoilers, I will keep the coming descriptions vague. One chapter detailed a major event for Fleetwood Mac, a festival near my hometown called Day On The Green. This festival, hosted by promoter Bill Graham, generated flocks of Bay Area music lovers to one spot, enjoying sets by some of the most iconic acts of all time. My parents enjoyed many, many Day On The Green events before they even knew each other.
Bill Graham was my mom’s first boss, and a long-term family friend of ours that I did not get to meet because our timelines did not intersect. Lindsey’s recollection of his time spent with my grandpa’s buddy and initiator of mom’s first big-girl job was a real treat for me to read. Everything he said about Graham’s personality seemed to align with anecdotes shared by my family, rendering him a reliable narrator.
Overall, I feel honored and humbled to have been given access to this unique, deeply important perspective. His narration was earnest, engaging, and often humorous, acting as an entertaining, informative time capsule. Plus, in a nice full-circle moment, a genuine and heartfelt foreword by Conan O’Brien immerses audiences into Ray Lindsey’s world post-Mac. As the industry continues to evolve, we need more Ray Lindseys to tell their stories and keep history alive. None of us would be here without the Roadie of the Year.
Purchase a copy of ‘THE CARE & FEEDING OF FLEETWOOD MAC AND OTHER SPECIES’ by clicking HERE now!
