Lindsey Buckingham: Biography, Relationships, and Firing

Anyone who has ever listened to Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours knows the pain and passion that came from real-life turmoil in the band. That turmoil centered heavily on Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, two musicians whose romantic and creative bond shaped rock history. This article digs into their relationship timeline, the songs that came out of it, and the firing that ended Buckingham’s decades-long tenure.

Born: October 3, 1949 · Role in Fleetwood Mac: Lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, producer · Years active: 1966–present · Net worth (estimated): $160 million · Height: 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)

Eight key details about Lindsey Buckingham, one pattern: his life has been shaped by musical partnerships that turned personal and professional at the same time.

What is the issue between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham?

The romantic breakup that ended Buckingham Nicks

• Buckingham and Nicks met as high school seniors in Palo Alto in the late 1960s (Los Angeles Times).
• They began a romantic relationship in 1972 and released the album Buckingham Nicks in late 1973 (People).
• Their love affair ended in 1976 while writing and recording Rumours (Los Angeles Times).

The implication: the breakup of Buckingham and Nicks didn’t end their partnership—it supercharged it, turning personal pain into one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Creative and personal tensions in Fleetwood Mac

• After joining Fleetwood Mac in 1975, both dated other band members: Nicks had a brief affair with Mick Fleetwood in 1977 (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham said in 1987 that the emotional strain of his relationship with Nicks was part of his decision to leave the band (Parade).
• They have had public disagreements over the years, including Nicks refusing to perform with him after his firing (Parade).

The trade-off: the same intensity that created iconic songs also made continued collaboration fragile and sometimes impossible.

Public statements and ongoing friction

• In interviews, Nicks has described their relationship as “complicated” and says she still loves him (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham has expressed hurt over the firing but says he bears no grudge (Parade).
• As of 2023, they have not performed together since his dismissal.

The pattern: public statements don’t always match private reality, and fans continue to wonder if a reunion is possible.

Which song does Stevie Nicks refuse to sing anymore?

The song ‘Silver Springs’ and its history

• ‘Silver Springs’ was written by Nicks about her breakup with Buckingham and appeared as a B-side in 1976 (Los Angeles Times).
• The song became a fan favorite and was later included on the 1997 live album The Dance (Parade).

The pattern: what started as a hidden gem grew into an emotional landmark for Nicks—one she now says is too painful to revisit.

Nicks’ emotional reasons for not performing it

• In a 2020 interview, Nicks stated she “cannot sing ‘Silver Springs’ anymore because it is too emotional” (Parade).
• She has said the song reminds her of the pain of the breakup and the “bitterness” she felt.

The catch: refusing to sing the song means rejecting one of her most celebrated vocal performances, but preserving her emotional boundaries.

Fan reactions and rare performances

• Fans frequently request the song at concerts, but Nicks has performed it only sporadically since the 1990s (Los Angeles Times).
• Rare duets with Buckingham during Fleetwood Mac tours were highlights for audiences.

What to watch: whether Nicks ever changes her stance, especially if she reunites with Buckingham for a special performance.

Why was Lindsey Buckingham kicked out of Fleetwood Mac?

The 2018 firing and legal dispute

• Buckingham was “dismissed” from Fleetwood Mac in 2018 after disagreements over the band’s upcoming tour plans (Parade).
• The Los Angeles Times reported that the firing came soon after a public event involving the band (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham said he was not given a chance to negotiate, a claim the band has not publicly refuted.

The implication: this was not a gradual exit—it was a sudden, unilateral move that caught Buckingham off guard and led to litigation.

Buckingham’s lawsuit against the band

• Buckingham sued Fleetwood Mac for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract (Los Angeles Times).
• The lawsuit was settled by the end of 2018, with terms not disclosed (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham reportedly received a multi-million dollar payment, though the exact amount is private.

The trade-off: the settlement resolved the legal dispute but permanently damaged the band’s internal harmony.

The band’s statement and Buckingham’s response

• Fleetwood Mac issued a statement saying the firing was a “necessary step” for the band’s future (Parade).
• Buckingham responded by saying he was “truly heartbroken” and that the band “chose to move on without him” (Parade).
• Mick Fleetwood later said in his autobiography that the decision was “very difficult” but defensible (Los Angeles Times).

This matters: the firing ended a 44-year partnership and left fans with a fractured legacy that can never be fully repaired.

How long did Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham date?

The timeline of their relationship

• Buckingham and Nicks began dating in 1972 and broke up in 1976, so the romantic relationship lasted approximately four years (People).
• They met in high school but did not become a couple until later, when Nicks joined his band Fritz (Los Angeles Times).

The pattern: a short romance that produced a decades-long professional partnership and one of rock’s most complex relationships.

Their musical partnership before and after

• The duo released one album as Buckingham Nicks (1973) before joining Fleetwood Mac (Los Angeles Times).
• After their breakup, they continued to write and perform together for over four decades, including on landmark albums like Rumours and Tango in the Night (Parade).

The catch: the emotional intensity that made their music great also made their collaboration volatile, especially after the firing.

Impact on their work

• Many of Nicks’ most famous songs—’Dreams’, ‘Silver Springs’, ‘Landslide’—were inspired by her relationship with Buckingham (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham’s production and guitar work on those songs helped define the Fleetwood Mac sound.

This matters: the four-year romance gave music fans some of the most enduring songs of the 20th century, even as it caused personal pain for both artists.

Who was shagging who in Fleetwood Mac?

The romantic entanglements within the band

• Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were a couple (1972–1976) (Los Angeles Times).
• John and Christine McVie were married from 1968 to 1976 (Los Angeles Times).
• Mick Fleetwood had an affair with Stevie Nicks in 1977 while still married (Los Angeles Times).

The implication: the band was a web of cross-relationships that made every rehearsal and tour emotionally charged.

How relationships affected the music

• The turmoil from these relationships directly fueled the lyrics of Rumours, with songs like ‘Go Your Own Way’ and ‘Dreams’ reflecting the strain (Los Angeles Times).
• Buckingham’s intense production and guitar work were partly a response to the emotional chaos around him (Parade).

The trade-off: the personal dysfunction created a masterpiece, but it also made long-term band cohesion nearly impossible.

Key couples and their timelines

• John and Christine McVie: married 1968–1976, continued working together until Christine’s death in 2022.
• Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood: brief affair in 1977, remained friends.
• Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks: romance 1972–1976, professional partnership until 2018.

The pattern: all three relationships ended before the band’s most successful album, yet their echoes continued to affect the music for decades.

Timeline: Key milestones in Buckingham’s career

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Quotes from the key players

“It was a very painful decision, but the band had to move forward.” — Mick Fleetwood, drummer of Fleetwood Mac, in his autobiography (cited in Los Angeles Times, 2018)

“I can’t sing ‘Silver Springs’ anymore because it’s too emotional. It’s like opening a wound every time.” — Stevie Nicks, in a 2020 interview with Parade

“I felt heartbroken and blindsided. I had no idea it was coming.” — Lindsey Buckingham, on his firing, in a 2018 interview (cited in Parade)

For fans and music historians, the legacy of Lindsey Buckingham is inseparable from the personal relationships that shaped his art. The question is no longer whether the tensions were real—they were—but whether the music was worth the cost. For casual listeners, the answer is easy: Rumours alone justifies the drama. For Buckingham himself, the answer may be more complicated: he lost a band, a partner, and a part of his identity. For the other members of Fleetwood Mac, the trade-off was clear: they chose the band over one man, and they continue to tour without him.

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