Go Your Own Way! Lindsey Buckingham leaves Fleetwood Mac ahead of tour

They’ve enjoyed decades of success at the top of the charts, and recently announced they’ll be touring again within a matter of months.

But longtime band member Lindsey Buckingham has now sensationally left Fleetwood Mac just before the live gigs, with two musicians taking his place. According to multiple reports, the band announced in a statement that “Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour”, adding that “the band wishes Lindsey all the best”.

He will be replaced by Mike Campbell, best known as a guitarist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Crowded House star Neil Finn. It’s unclear if the two will be a permanent fixture in the band at this stage.

“Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents,” Mick Fleetwood added in a statement he released separately. “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.”

The band collectively added that it was “thrilled” to welcome the new members, and confirmed they’ll be performing all the hits “that the fans love”, as well as “surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs.”

The band’s Facebook page has replaced its main image from one of the band, which included Buckingham, to an illustrated image instead.

Read more: This is what ‘Dreams’ are made of: Fleetwood Mac in action after all these years

Meanwhile, Finn added in a statement: “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.”

Rolling Stone has claimed in what is says is an exclusive story that the band actually fired Buckingham after a disagreement over the upcoming tour, but there was no confirmation of this from Fleetwood Mac itself.

Buckingham joined the band in 1975 and played with them until 1987, alongside Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks. He then rejoined in 1997, and they last performed together as a group in January at an event honouring Fleetwood Mac as MusiCares’ Person of the Year. 

Over the years Buckingham has also released six solo albums, and last year duetted with McVie.

His fans rushed to share their sadness at the news on the band’s Facebook page, with one writing: “No Lindsey=no Fleetwood Mac. Is the guy from the Heartbreakers going to sing ‘Never Going Back Again’? lol give me a break.” Another added: “It’s not fleetwood mac anymore without Lindsey shame on you rest of the band to big for your boots!”

Are you sad to hear he has left the band? Are you a fan?