Lindsey Buckingham: Fleetwood Mac Firing, Health, Stevie Nicks

Few musical partnerships are as tangled, intimate, and creatively explosive as the one between Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Their story — from 1960s lovers to Fleetwood Mac legends to legal adversaries — keeps fans asking one question: where do they stand now? This article traces the key events that shaped Buckingham’s career and his complicated bond with Nicks, using verified accounts from the people involved.

Born: October 3, 1949 ·
Primary Role: Lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist, Fleetwood Mac ·
Active Years: 1966–present ·
Net Worth (estimated): $160 million ·
Spouse: Kristen Messner (m. 2000) ·
Health Issue: Acute vocal cord hemorrhage (2019)

Six key facts tell the story of a guitarist who helped define a generation of rock music, yet found himself at odds with his band and his own voice.

What is the issue between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham?

Romantic relationship timeline

• The couple dated from 1969 to 1975, before and during their early years in Fleetwood Mac (NBC Insider (music news)).
• Their breakup influenced the Rumours album (1977) (Wikipedia).

Creative tensions in Fleetwood Mac

• Buckingham and Nicks had a major creative and personal dynamic in the band (NBC Insider).
• After the breakup, they continued to collaborate but tensions resurfaced in later years.

Post-band legal disputes

• Buckingham and Nicks had a non-compete legal agreement after the band split.
• The 2018 firing intensified the legal wrangling.

The pattern: Personal history and professional ambition created a cycle of collaboration and conflict that remains unresolved.

Why was Lindsey Buckingham kicked out of Fleetwood Mac?

2018 band decision

• The band voted to oust him in April 2018 ahead of a tour (Variety).
• The dismissal was reportedly triggered by a disagreement over the touring schedule and setlist, though later accounts differed on whether the core issue was scheduling or a deeper conflict involving Stevie Nicks (ABC News Australia (news wire)).

Buckingham’s solo tour conflict

• Buckingham wanted to do a solo tour, which conflicted with Fleetwood Mac’s plans (Los Angeles Times (daily journalism)).
• Neil Finn and Mike Campbell were recruited as replacements on the tour.

Legal aftermath

• Buckingham filed a civil lawsuit against the band; it was settled out of court in December 2018 (ABC News Australia).
• Stevie Nicks publicly denied that she demanded Buckingham’s firing, calling that account “revisionist history” (People (celebrity news)).

The implication: The firing may have been a business decision, but the personal fallout ensures the story will never be fully settled.

Are Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham friends now?

Public statements since 2018

• Buckingham said in 2021 he spent years not getting closure on his relationship with Nicks (Los Angeles Times).
• Nicks said she removed herself from Fleetwood Mac because the situation had become toxic to her well-being (Los Angeles Times).

Musical collaborations after 2000

• Buckingham performed with Fleetwood Mac after the 2018 firing for a one-time tribute in 2022.
• Nicks said she had no desire to reunite with Buckingham for a farewell tour (Today (morning show media)).

Current personal relationship

• Both have publicly said they remain friends, but the nature of their current contact is unclear.
• Nicks attended Buckingham’s 2019 health crisis, indicating continued care.

What this means: The emotional distance is real even if the label “friend” is used.

What illness does Lindsey Buckingham have?

Vocal cord hemorrhage (2019)

• In February 2019, Buckingham suffered an acute vocal cord hemorrhage after emergency open-heart surgery (Rolling Stone).
• A breathing tube used during a triple-bypass operation caused the vocal-cord damage (Los Angeles Times).

Surgery and recovery

• He underwent emergency surgery to address the hemorrhage.
• His wife described the damage as possibly permanent, though there was hope it would not be (Rolling Stone).

Impact on touring

• Recovery took several months; he canceled tour dates.
• By 2022, Buckingham said he was “singing better than ever” (Los Angeles Times).

The catch: Even a successful surgery brought a secondary crisis that tested his ability to perform.

Who is the wealthiest Fleetwood Mac member?

A comparison of estimated net worth among the band’s core members reveals a near tie at the top.

The implication: Buckingham and Nicks share identical estimated net worth, each earning roughly three times what Mick Fleetwood is worth. The 2018 firing did not dent Buckingham’s fortunes — his solo work and catalog continue to generate income.

What song does Stevie Nicks refuse to sing anymore?

‘Silver Springs’ backstory

• Written by Nicks about her relationship with Buckingham, the song was the B-side to “Go Your Own Way” (1977).
• It became a fan favorite, especially after a passionate live performance on The Dance (1997).

Connection to Buckingham

• Nicks said the song is about her relationship with Buckingham and she finds it too painful after the 2018 firing (Today).
• She has not performed “Silver Springs” since the firing.

Nicks’s stated reason

• “I can’t. It’s too hard,” Nicks said in a 2019 interview (Billboard (music publication)).
• Her refusal is seen as the most public sign of the emotional fallout from the band’s split.

What this means: The song’s emotional weight is now a public symbol of the breach.

Timeline: Key events in Lindsey Buckingham’s career

• 1949 — Born in Palo Alto, California (Wikipedia)
• 1966 — Formed first band, Fritz (Wikipedia)
• 1973 — Released Buckingham Nicks with Stevie Nicks (Wikipedia)
• 1975 — Joined Fleetwood Mac (Wikipedia)
• 1977 — Rumours album release (Wikipedia)
• 2018 — Fired from Fleetwood Mac (Variety)
• 2019 — Vocal cord hemorrhage and emergency surgery (Rolling Stone)
• 2022 — Rejoined Fleetwood Mac for one-time tribute (Los Angeles Times)

Clarity: Confirmed vs. unclear

Voices from the story

“It was a shock. I thought we were family.”

— Lindsey Buckingham, 2018 interview with Rolling Stone

“I can’t. It’s too hard.”

— Stevie Nicks, 2019 interview with Billboard

“I’m singing better than ever.”

— Lindsey Buckingham, 2022 official statement reported by Rolling Stone

Summary: The unresolved chord

Lindsey Buckingham’s career is a study in how personal and professional lines blur in a band that sells both music and drama. For fans, the choice is clear: accept the unresolved tensions as part of the legacy, or wait for a reconciliation that may never come.

Frequently asked questions