Fleetwood Mac ‘fire’ Lindsey Buckingham and unveil two replacement band members
Lindsey Buckingham has parted ways with Fleetwood Mac following an apparent dispute over the legendary band’s upcoming world tour.
Fleetwood Mac have confirmed in a statement that Crowded House’s Neil Finn and Mike Campbell, former lead guitarist of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, will now replace Lindsey for their yet-to-be-announced tour dates.
An initial statement from the band simply read: “Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour. The band wishes Lindsey all the best.”
A more expansive statement later issued to Rolling Stone reads: "We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the caliber of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family.
“With Mike and Neil, we’ll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs. Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honoring that spirit on this upcoming tour."
In a separate statement, Mick Fleetwood said: "Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents.
“We jammed with Mike and Neil and the chemistry really worked and let the band realize that this is the right combination to go forward with in Fleetwood Mac style. We know we have something new, yet it’s got the unmistakable Mac sound."
Speaking to Rolling Stone about joining Fleetwood Mac, Neil Finn said: "Two weeks ago, I received a wonderful invitation to be a part of a truly great band.
"A few days later, I was standing in a room playing music with Fleetwood Mac. It felt fresh and exciting, so many great songs, a spectacular rhythm section and two of the greatest voices ever. Best of all, we sounded good together. It was a natural fit. I can’t wait to play."
Although the band haven’t officially confirmed that Lindsey was fired, Rolling Stone magazine says it has confirmed that he was dumped from the band following the disagreement.
It’s currently unclear when Fleetwood Mac’s new tour will kick off, however, Christine McVie told BBC’s The One Show in June 2017: "We're going to start rehearsing in March, next year. The tour is around June. It will be global."
Speaking to Planet Rock’s Wyatt last November, Mick Fleetwood confirmed the tour will be a lengthy jaunt.
“Our full intention is next year’s gonna be the beginning of a massive trek around the planet. Late summer and back at it!,” Mick told us.
Fleetwood Mac last toured the UK in the summer of 2015 playing 15 arena shows and headlining Isle of Wight Festival as part of their sprawling 120-date worldwide tour.
Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac as lead guitarist, vocalist and songwriter alongside his then girlfriend Stevie Nicks in the mid-70s and was a core member of the band during their commercial peak.
He wrote or co-wrote some of the British-American group's defining songs including ‘Second Hand News’, ‘Go Your Own Way’, ‘The Chain’, ‘Tusk’ and ‘Oh Diane’.
Lindsey exited Fleetwood Mac in 1987 on the eve of the Tango in the Night tour but rejoined nine years later in 1996 for The Dance reunion tour.
Last June he released the aptly-titled album with Christine McVie – ‘Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie’ – that also featuring contributions from Mick Fleetwood and John McVie.