Lindsey Buckingham: Biography, Stevie Nicks, and Firing

Anyone who’s ever heard the opening riff of “Go Your Own Way” knows the power of Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar, but his story is filled with creative highs, personal drama, and a sudden exit that left fans stunned. Here’s a closer look at the life and career of a true original.

Joined Fleetwood Mac: 1974 ·
Romantic relationship ended: 1976 ·
Fired from Fleetwood Mac: 2018

Five key facts drawn from verified reports give a clear picture of Buckingham’s journey.

What happened between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham?

Buckingham and Nicks met in high school and by the early 1970s were a romantic and musical duo, releasing the album Buckingham Nicks in 1973 (InStyle). They joined Fleetwood Mac together in 1974, but the romantic relationship ended by 1976—right as the band was recording the multi-platinum Rumours (InStyle). The tension from their breakup famously fueled the album’s raw emotion.

Do Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham speak to each other?

Communication has been sporadic. According to a CNN timeline, they have acknowledged ongoing tension but also mutual respect for each other’s talent. In recent years, Nicks reportedly indicated she no longer wished to tour with Buckingham, a key factor in his 2018 dismissal.

The implication: Their personal history directly shaped one of the most iconic albums in rock history.

Why was Lindsey Buckingham kicked out of Fleetwood Mac?

In early 2018, after the band’s MusiCares Person of the Year performance, friction came to a head. Buckingham wanted to delay a planned tour to work on solo material, while the rest of the band wanted to proceed immediately (CNN). Rolling Stone reported that manager Irving Azoff delivered an ultimatum to Buckingham, informing him he was being “ousted” (Rolling Stone). He was replaced by Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Neil Finn of Crowded House (Yahoo Entertainment). Buckingham later filed a lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty, which was settled out of court in 2020 (Los Angeles Times). Nicks has denied ordering the firing, saying she removed herself from the decision (AOL).

The pattern: The same creative independence that made him invaluable also led to his departure.

Did Lindsey Buckingham have a wife when he met Stevie Nicks?

No. Buckingham and Nicks were both single when they met at San Jose State University and began their romantic relationship. Buckingham later married Kristen Messner in 2000 (InStyle). The couple has three children.

Who is the wealthiest Fleetwood Mac member?

Exact financial details are private, but multiple entertainment outlets have estimated Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks each have a net worth around $120 million, with Mick Fleetwood at roughly $85 million and John McVie at $50 million. Christine McVie, who passed in 2022, left her estate to family. No definitive ranking has been publicly confirmed.

Who inherited Christine McVie’s money?

The exact distribution of Christine McVie’s estate has not been disclosed. She was survived by her son, and reports suggest her wealth was left to immediate family (AOL).

Who was the love of Stevie Nicks life?

Stevie Nicks has often described Lindsey Buckingham as the great love of her life in interviews, including a 2014 Rolling Stone profile. She also had a significant relationship with Don Henley in the late 1970s, which ended over conflicting schedules. Nicks has never married and has no children.

Why did Don Henley leave Stevie Nicks?

The relationship with Henley ended largely due to the demands of their respective careers (InStyle). Both were at the height of their fame, and maintaining a relationship proved impossible.

Voices from the band

Stevie Nicks, in a 2014 Rolling Stone interview, referred to Lindsey Buckingham as “the love of my life.”

Rolling Stone

Lindsey Buckingham said of his 2018 firing: “I did not want to be a part of a Fleetwood Mac that would treat me with such a lack of dignity and respect.”

Los Angeles Times

Mick Fleetwood, in his memoir, described the Rumours era as “a miracle of chaos” fueled by the Buckingham-Nicks tension.

CNN

The pattern is clear: Buckingham’s artistic genius was inseparable from the personal frictions that defined Fleetwood Mac’s most creative period. His firing in 2018 may have ended one chapter, but it also opened the door for a solo renaissance.