Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks Both Note 50th Anniversary of Their Duo Album
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The September 5, 2023 post on Lindsey Buckingham’s Facebook page
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, estranged from Fleetwood Mac since the former was ousted from the band in 2018, surprised their fans today (September 5, 2023) when their social media accounts simultaneously acknowledged the 50th anniversary of their 1973 duo album in a coordinated effort. The verified Facebook accounts of both Buckingham and Nicks placed the same post of three photos: the album cover in which the then-romantic couple posed topless together, as well as the gatefold with lyrics and credits. The posts were accompanied by the identical, single sentence, “Happy 50th anniversary to Buckingham Nicks, released on this day in 1973.”
That would not normally be such a remarkable occurrence. But their relationship is far from ordinary. After Buckingham’s 2018 departure, he filed a lawsuit in which he accused the band of breach of fiduciary duty and other charges. It was settled sometime that fall.
When asked by CBS This Morning‘s Anthony Mason if it felt he “had been kicked out of the family,” the musician said: “I do.” In measured words, he added: “I don’t feel that it was something that was my doing. It hurt for a while.”
Buckingham pointed the finger at Nicks: “It appeared to me that she was looking for something to hang on me in order to instigate some kind of a coup. Either I had to go or she was going to go. None of it makes sense to me.”
Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac in Las Vegas, 2014
Buckingham did a solo tour towards the end of 2018, that coincided with the start of Fleetwood Mac’s own tour in which they added the Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell and Crowded House’s Neil Finn. In February 2019 came the shocking news that Buckingham had open heart surgery. (Buckingham and Nicks have both had subsequent solo tours.) And in November 2022, came the devastating news that Christine McVie had died. In a February 2023 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Mick Fleetwood acknowledged that with the beloved Songbird’s death, the band was likely done. (Several weeks earlier, Fleetwood, Nicks and Buckingham attended a celebration of McVie in Malibu.)
Months went by and then entertainment blogger Roger Friedman wrote an item published on July 20 headlined, “Fleetwood Mac Could Reunite with Lindsey Buckingham for One Last Reunion Tour.” The focus of the story was on the farewell tours from many of classic rock’s biggest stars including Elton John, Eagles, Paul Simon, Aerosmith, and others. Wrote Friedman, “There is even talk, sources say per Mick Fleetwood, of reuniting with Lindsey Buckingham, who was fired from the group a couple of years ago. But with the passing of Christine McVie, it makes sense to get Buckingham back in the fold. He and Stevie Nicks can fight once the tour is over and they’re in nursing homes, frankly.”
Buckingham turns 74 on October 3. Nicks turned 75 on May 26. John McVie, who turns 78 in November, has previously announced his retirement. And Fleetwood turned 76 on June 24, and is now dealing with the devastation of the loss of his restaurant from the Lahaina fires.
So could their be a Fleetwood Mac – Buckingham reunion? A 1977 live Rumours album, coming September 8, would have required a sign-off from all involved. Noted Friedman, “A Mac attack in 2024 would be an easy sell out, too, for arenas.”
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10 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationI think the band (the remaining 4) will tour. If for no other reason than to honor the late, great Songbird. Someone’s passing often is the catalyst to the most unlikely of reunions. My fingers are crossed as my wishful thinking becomes contagious!
This album has never seen an official digital release. Not streaming anywhere and it’s never even been on CD.
It’s somewhat of a ignominiously sad end to a once mighty band. I often wish these long running acts wither slowly and dissipate with grace, rather than crash and burn, ending with fits and bitterness.
R.I.P Fleetwood Mac
Mystery for decades why Buck/Nicks will not be mastered and re released. We want it and no answer has EVER been given why? Is it label, linds or Stevie ? Come on people your fans deserve this. Yes, deserve this!
I still have the original LP…as good or better than anything Fleetwood Mac put out!
They need to get back together one more time. If only Christine was still here.
Who’s gonna do Christine’s vocals and harmony parts, not to mention her keyboards (although that would be easier to duplicate) on a reunion tour?
I think Vanessa Carlton could master this for Christine!
It’s been 50 years and this STILL isn’t on CD or digital. Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac are two of the most popular artists in music history and yet STILL not officially released. How is that possible?
What a great story, I’ve lived in the valley all my life and in 1973 I had two copies of the Buckingham Nicks’ album I was at celebrity theater in 1973 I believe to see fleetwood mac when Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie nicks just joined the band. I remember the theater played the entire album before the band took the stage.