I want to talk breakups
Band breakups
Or rather splits
Estrangements
Fissures
Departures of key members
For reasons
Expressed in phrases oblique
Sometimes cryptic
Either to confound fans
Or because of
Legal or emotional restrictions
They cannot say what it is they want to say

I was inspired by Dead & Company
Dead & Company for those that don’t know
Is the latest post-Jerry Garcia iteration of the Grateful Dead
Formed in 2015 with John Mayer augmenting
Original Deadheads
Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzman
They have performed a number of successful tours
Mostly in the US

Earlier this year they announced their next tour
Would be the last
It was billed
“Dead & Company - The Final Tour”
Then on Saturday 22nd of April, 2023
There came the following announcement

“Every day, things change.
After many long discussions
and some good old-fashioned soul searching,
we are letting you know that our brother Bill Kreutzmann
will not be joining us on our final summer tour.
Bill wants you to know that he is in good spirits, good health and he is not retiring.”

So…

“Every day, things change”
this is true, but after 58 years in a band one might hope it was a job for life
“Some good old-fashioned soul-searching”
Translation: arguments
“Bill wants you to know that he is in good spirits”
which sounds to me like Bill’s a hostage

The statement continues:

“This is the culmination of a shift in creative direction
as we keep these songs alive and breathing
in ways that we each feel is best
to continue to honor the legacy of the Grateful Dead.
The final tour will go on as planned
with Bill’s full endorsement and support.”

That phrase
“This is the culmination of a shift in creative direction”
Is ecstasy for the fan of band split statements
“A shift in creative direction”
…
“A shift in creative direction”
After 58 years
What are the chances
That that creative direction
Is about dollar signs and zeros
Or
Am I being cynical
And is it that
On the path to artistic enlightenment
They have come to a fork in the road
After 58 years
“A shift in creative direction”
After 58 years
Can you imagine being in a job for that long?
Therefore I want to explore these later-in-life breakups
Breakups that strike a band at a time
When you’d hope they’re old enough to know better
Or at least know that life is short
And there isn’t time for another fallout
Another breakup, amicable or otherwise
Another hiatus of 5, 6, 7 years

Teenage Fanclub
Formed in 1989
29 years later
Issued the following statement
Announcing the departure of founding member
Gerard Love

“Following discussions within the band going back several months
there is a continuing and sadly unresolvable difference of opinion
on whether the band should proceed with proposed touring plans
So after that London show, Gerry will be separating from the band,
and Teenage Fanclub will be continuing without him.
The band wish Gerry all the best in his future musical endeavours.”

That kiss off:
“The band wish Gerry all the best in his future musical endeavours.”

It’s the kind of line you get in a job rejection email

We had an extraordinarily strong selection of candidates,
and after careful consideration
we regret to inform you that on this occasion
we are unable to offer you the position.

We wish you all the best in your job search.
And
“The band wish Gerry all the best in his future musical endeavours.”

In an interview with Gerard Love in The Scotsman
The writer Fiona Shepherd
Described this as “a rather phlegmatic statement issued by the band”
I looked up the word phlegmatic
“having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition.”

Yes
Phlegmatic describes perfectly the tone of these statements

Here’s how Fleetwood Mac fired Lindsay Buckingham in 2018:
“Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour.
The band wishes Lindsey all the best.”

All the best all the best all the best

The band wishes Lindsey all the best
In his future job search.

In 2019 when Lindsey Buckningham had a heart attack
Fleetwood Mac and its members issued the same statement across the platforms
“We are saddened by this news.
Our thoughts and love go to Lindsey and his entire family.
We are hopeful for his speedy recovery.
- Fleetwood Mac”

Phlegmatic, indeed

These are of course divorces
Separations mired in financial and artistic rancour
But their curt, brusque statements
Nonetheless manage to contain enigmatic kernels
Suggestive of a larger story

Tony Hadley in 2017 said the following:
“Due to circumstances beyond my control,
it is with deep regret that I am required to state
I am no longer a member of the band Spandau Ballet.”

“Circumstances beyond my control”
“Deep regret”
“I am required to state”

Who is requiring Tony to state?

Spandau Ballet
Fleetwood Mac
These are bands that have gone through the ringer
Of fallouts, breakups and legal actions
You’d think that with age and massive pay cheques
They would be able to move on but no

Most surprising of all was when
Marti Pellow announced he was leaving Wet Wet Wet
Again
Having already left before in 1999
They reformed in 2004
And all seemed well
Every year or so
They would take the band on tour
Play the hits
Keeping the fans happy
One would think that all was well in the world
But then in 2017
The news broke
I remember the moment I heard it on the radio
It left me winded

Marti Pellow has left wet wet wet
There’s something i don’t think I’ll ever truly
Get get get
Am I hurt angry confused
You bet bet bet
Friends telling me I should just
Let let let
It go
But no
Nee nein
Nyet nyet nyet
Marti Pellow is the voice
Smile and soul
Of Wet Wet Wet

Maybe I was joking
When I wrote that poem
But as my mother used to say
Many a true word said in jest

Because when a band member leaves
After years if not decades
Their soul leaves with them
And the cosmic and accidental meeting
And merger of souls
That is a band
Becomes something
A little more mercenary

However
However long life is
It’s not long enough that one should be trapped
Either in toxic relationships
Or the dreams of youth

“Every day, things change”
said Dead & Company

And after this long discussion
And good old-fashioned soul-searching
All that is left for me to say is

All the best,

Paul Haworth