FLEETWOOD MAC: Lindsey Buckingham quits
Fleetwood Mac have confirmed that Lindsey Buckingham has left the group and that he'll be replaced by not one, but two guitarists -- Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Neil Finn from Crowded House.
Mick Fleetwood says, “Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents. 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."
Mick adds that they'll play "all the hits that fans love," plus some deeper catalog cuts, when they hit the road.
And he leaves no doubt about the lineup. “Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour. The band wishes Lindsey all the best.”
The tour will be announced shortly. All of this explains why the Mac's 2018 tour, which they talked about last year, has yet to be announced.
Variety confirmed this following a tweet by guitarist Billy Burnette, who took over when Buckingham quit in 1987. He wrote, "Lindsey Buckingham is out but I’m not in. A little pissed, but I'll get over it."
Buckingham performed with the band during Grammy week in January when they were honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year, and at their only two shows last year -- Classic West and Classic East.
He spent the bulk of last year touring with Christine McVie in support of their self-titled debut album.
More on this story as it develops.