Lindsey Buckingham calls current Fleetwood Mac line-up a 'cover band'

'Look, it's Fleetwood Mac, anything's possible. Maybe they'll get it out of their system'

Former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsey Buckingham has branded the current lineup "a cover band", though he says he'd be open to a return.

The guitarist recently settled his lawsuit with the band after previously accusing them of breach of contract. Buckingham was cut from their North America tour earlier this year and replaced by Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House. They joined original members Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, and Stevie Nicks.

Buckingham told Stereogum: "Look, it's Fleetwood Mac, anything's possible. Maybe they'll get it out of their system. If they ask me to come back, would I? Sure, because to me I think the lack of a proper farewell tour, if that's what we're doing, that doesn't undercut, like I say, the legacy that we have so carefully built as the five of us, which they're not doing right now."

"I don't know what they're doing. It's a cover band kind of deal, and Stevie [Nicks] may be enjoying that, and that's fine. If she is happy doing that, there is no one outcome that I think is going to be okay."

 

According to the legal documents, the guitarist said he was informed by his manager in January that the band would proceed with its upcoming tour without him. He claimed plans were in place the Rumours-era lineup to perform 60 shows across North America when he was let go without warning. 

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Appearing on CBS This Morning, however, Buckingham said a settlement has now been achieved. “We’ve all signed off on something,” he said “I’m happy enough with it. I’m not out there trying to twist the knife at all. I’m trying to look at this with some level of compassion, some level of wisdom.” 

He went on to discuss how he recently spoke with bandmate Christine McVie – the two released their Buckingham/McVie album in 2017.

“I have had, only in the last couple of weeks, I have gotten an email, which I expected to get, from Christine McVie,” Buckingham said. “She wrote me an email and basically said, ‘Dearest Lindsey, just know that I had nothing to do with any of this. Know that I miss you so much.’ She said, ‘I believe deep in Stevie’s heart that she would like you to come home.’”

 

Buckingham joined the group in 1975 before leaving in 1987. He rejoined in 1997 and performed with them until January. Fleetwood Mac was founded in London in 1967 and the band have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups ever. Their best-known songs include “Dreams”, “Go Your Own Way” and “Everywhere”.

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