Lindsey Buckingham: Life, Relationship, and Fleetwood Mac Firing

There’s something about a band whose internal drama sells as many records as its music. For Fleetwood Mac, that tension was often embodied by two people: Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. This article traces their creative partnership and falling-out, the 2018 firing that fractured the band, and where things stand now.

Full name: Lindsey Adams Buckingham ·
Born: October 3, 1949 ·
Known for: Lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Fleetwood Mac ·
Spouse: Kristen Messner (m. 2000) ·
Estimated net worth: $10 million

Ten facts about Lindsey Buckingham, one pattern: his life and career are defined by creative brilliance entangled with personal conflict.

What is the issue between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham?

Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were in a romantic relationship from 1972 until around 1976–1977, depending on how their separation is framed (People magazine). They were never married (Parade). After their personal breakup, they continued working together in Fleetwood Mac, a dynamic that fueled some of the band’s most iconic music but also years of friction (Los Angeles Times).

What did Lindsey Buckingham say about Stevie Nicks?

Buckingham has repeatedly described their relationship as complicated (Rolling Stone). In a 2018 interview, he stated that Nicks had told the band she would leave if he stayed, a claim she later denied (AOL).

Who did Stevie Nicks say was love of her life?

In a 2020 interview, Nicks said that Lindsey Buckingham was the love of her life (The Guardian). Despite the sentiment, their personal and professional relationship has remained strained ever since.

The implication: the romantic tension that gave the band its emotional depth also made any separation explosive.

Why was Lindsey Buckingham kicked out of Fleetwood Mac?

The band fired Buckingham in 2018 after a dispute over touring plans (Los Angeles Times). Buckingham wanted to delay the band’s tour to promote a solo album (The Times via FleetwoodMac-UK). He said he was told by manager Irving Azoff that he was being ousted because Nicks issued an ultimatum — a claim Nicks has rejected (Rolling Stone). Nicks said she removed herself from the band rather than demanding he be fired (The Guardian).

Buckingham filed a lawsuit against Fleetwood Mac in October 2018, which was settled in December 2018 (Parade). The exact terms of the settlement remain private.

Are Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham friends now?

After the firing, the relationship between Nicks and Buckingham has been strained. They have not performed together since 2018 (Los Angeles Times). Both have expressed regret over the situation, but public statements indicate they are not currently friends (The Guardian).

The catch: Buckingham and Nicks have re-litigated their decades-old conflict in public interviews, each framing the other as the source of the breakdown.

What illness does Lindsey Buckingham have?

In 2020, Lindsey Buckingham underwent emergency surgery for a vocal cord issue (Biography.com). He has recovered and continues to perform (Official site).

What this means: the throat surgery was a serious health scare, but Buckingham has resumed his touring activity without reported complications since.

Who is Lindsey Buckingham’s wife?

Lindsey Buckingham married Kristen Messner in 2000 (Biography.com). Messner is a photographer and former model (Wikipedia). The couple have three children together (Biography.com).

What is Lindsey Buckingham’s net worth?

Buckingham’s estimated net worth is $10 million (Biography.com). This figure is based on public estimates and has not been independently verified.

Timeline

• 1949 — Born in Palo Alto, California (Wikipedia)
• 1973 — Forms Buckingham Nicks with Stevie Nicks (AllMusic)
• 1975 — Joins Fleetwood Mac (Rolling Stone)
• 1976–1977 — Breakup with Stevie Nicks (People)
• 1977 — Rumours album released (Wikipedia)
• 1987 — First solo album Go Insane (AllMusic)
• 1997 — Reunites with Fleetwood Mac for The Dance (Wikipedia)
• 2018 — Fired from Fleetwood Mac; files lawsuit (Rolling Stone; Parade)
• 2020 — Emergency throat surgery (Biography.com)

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

• Confirmed facts
  • Buckingham was fired from Fleetwood Mac in 2018 (Los Angeles Times)
  • He married Kristen Messner in 2000 (Wikipedia)
  • He underwent throat surgery in 2020 (Biography.com)
  • His romantic relationship with Nicks ended in the mid-1970s (People)
• What’s unclear
  • Exact terms of the lawsuit settlement (Parade)
  • Whether Nicks delivered an ultimatum (conflicting accounts from both parties)
  • Prospect of reconciliation between Nicks and Buckingham

Lindsey was the love of my life.

— Stevie Nicks, 2020 interview (The Guardian)

I was blindsided and hurt.

— Lindsey Buckingham, after his firing (Rolling Stone)

It’s like Trump and the Republicans — they create revisionist history.

— Stevie Nicks, on Buckingham’s account of the firing (AOL)

The story of Lindsey Buckingham is one of a singular musician whose creative drive shaped one of the best-selling albums of all time — and also cost him his place in the band he helped define. For fans of Fleetwood Mac, the choice is clear: enjoy the music, or keep waiting for a reconciliation that may never come.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Fleetwood Mac · Stevie Nicks