What Happened to Buckingham Nicks?
Buckingham Nicks refers to the musical duo of Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, and their sole 1973 eponymous album, released before they joined Fleetwood Mac. Initially a commercial failure, the album gained cult status over decades of unavailability, finally receiving a highly anticipated official re-release on CD, vinyl, and streaming platforms in September 2025. This re-release has coincided with a significant thawing of the long-strained relationship between Buckingham and Nicks, sparking speculation about future collaborations.
Quick Answer
The musical duo Buckingham Nicks, featuring Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, released one self-titled album in 1973 which was a commercial flop. They subsequently joined Fleetwood Mac, achieving global superstardom. For over 50 years, the *Buckingham Nicks* album remained largely unavailable, but it was officially remastered and re-released on CD, vinyl, and streaming services on September 19, 2025, charting successfully worldwide. As of August 2026, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks have reconciled after years of estrangement, are reportedly 'talking all the time now,' and have hinted at potential future collaborations, fueled by the album's re-release and an upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham Meet
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham meet at a high school party in California, beginning their musical and romantic relationship.
Formation of Buckingham Nicks Duo
After their band Fritz disbands, Nicks and Buckingham continue as a musical duo, recording demo tapes in Daly City, California.
Release of 'Buckingham Nicks' Album
Their self-titled debut album, 'Buckingham Nicks', is released by Polydor Records. Despite its quality, it is a commercial failure due to lack of promotion.
Dropped by Polydor Records
Following the album's commercial failure, Polydor Records drops the duo, leaving them in financial hardship.
Invited to Join Fleetwood Mac
Mick Fleetwood, impressed by Lindsey Buckingham's guitar work on 'Frozen Love' from their album, invites Buckingham to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham insists on a 'package deal' to include Stevie Nicks.
Officially Join Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks officially become members of Fleetwood Mac, marking the beginning of the band's most commercially successful era.
Fleetwood Mac's Self-Titled Album Released
The first Fleetwood Mac album with Buckingham and Nicks is released, featuring a re-recorded version of Nicks' song 'Crystal' from their duo album.
Lindsey Buckingham Fired from Fleetwood Mac
Lindsey Buckingham is controversially fired from Fleetwood Mac, leading to a period of renewed estrangement and public tension with Stevie Nicks.
Christine McVie Passes Away
Long-time Fleetwood Mac member Christine McVie passes away, further impacting the band's future and leading to a brief reconciliation between Nicks and Buckingham at her memorial.
Teasers for 'Buckingham Nicks' Re-release
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham post cryptic, coordinated lyrics from their song 'Frozen Love' on social media, teasing an upcoming project. Mick Fleetwood also posts a video listening to the song.
'Buckingham Nicks' Album Re-released
The remastered 'Buckingham Nicks' album is officially re-released on CD, vinyl, and streaming services for the first time in over 50 years.
Album Charts Globally
The re-released 'Buckingham Nicks' debuts at No. 6 on the UK Album Charts and is projected to enter the Billboard 200 at No. 11, and No. 1 on Top Rock Albums in the US.
Nicks Confirms Reconciliation
Stevie Nicks confirms a thaw in her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, stating they started talking about their early days together.
Buckingham Hints at Future Collaborations
Lindsey Buckingham posts a video hinting at a "resurgence of connection" with Stevie Nicks and suggests "something good" is in the air for 2026, also mentioning an upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary.
Buckingham Confirms Ongoing Communication
Lindsey Buckingham states in an interview that he and Stevie Nicks are "talking all the time now" and that the upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary has been a "circular healing process" for them.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Buckingham Nicks began as the musical partnership between guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks, who met in high school in California in the mid-1960s. After their band Fritz disbanded in 1972, they continued as a duo, recording demo tapes and eventually securing a deal with Polydor Records. Their self-titled debut album, Buckingham Nicks, was released in September 1973. Despite its artistic merit, the album was a commercial failure, largely due to a lack of promotion from Polydor, leading to the duo being dropped by the label.
The pivotal turning point for Buckingham Nicks came in late 1974. While scouting studios for Fleetwood Mac's next album, drummer Mick Fleetwood heard the Buckingham Nicks track "Frozen Love" at Sound City Studios. Impressed by Buckingham's guitar work, Fleetwood offered him a spot in Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham famously insisted that Nicks be included as a "package deal," and on New Year's Eve 1974, they officially joined the band.
Their integration transformed Fleetwood Mac from a British blues-rock band into a pop-rock powerhouse, leading to immense global success with albums like 1975's Fleetwood Mac (which included a re-recorded version of the Buckingham Nicks song "Crystal") and the iconic 1977 album Rumours.
For five decades, the Buckingham Nicks album remained out of print and largely unavailable on modern formats, becoming a highly sought-after cult classic and a popular bootleg. However, in July 2025, after cryptic social media teasers from both artists, it was officially announced that the album would be remastered and re-released. The re-release occurred on September 19, 2025, on CD, various vinyl editions, and for the first time, on streaming services.
Upon its re-release, Buckingham Nicks achieved significant commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Rock Albums chart, No. 3 on the Top Album Sales chart, and No. 11 on the Billboard 200. It also charted in several other countries, including reaching No. 6 on the UK Album Charts. This unexpected success marked a long-overdue recognition for their foundational work.
CURRENT STATUS (as of 2026-08-24): The re-release of Buckingham Nicks has played a crucial role in mending the long-strained relationship between Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, which had been particularly acrimonious after Buckingham's 2018 departure from Fleetwood Mac. In March 2026, Buckingham hinted at a "resurgence of connection" with Nicks, suggesting "something good, and something wonderful, and something needed and something extremely appropriate" might be in the air for 2026. More recently, in August 2026, Buckingham confirmed that he and Nicks are "talking all the time now" and that the process of working on an upcoming Fleetwood Mac documentary, expected in early 2027, has been a "circular healing process" for all involved. While a full Fleetwood Mac reunion remains uncertain, especially after Christine McVie's passing in 2022, the improved dynamic between Buckingham and Nicks has fueled considerable speculation among fans about potential future collaborations, whether as a duo or in other capacities.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Buckingham Nicks made different choices?