What Happened to Lindsey Adams Buckingham?

Lindsey Buckingham's career is defined by his innovative guitar work and complex songwriting, particularly during his two tenures with the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. He first joined the band in 1975, bringing along his musical and romantic partner, Stevie Nicks. This lineup achieved massive commercial success with albums like 1977's 'Rumours', which sold over 40 million copies worldwide. However, internal conflicts, often stemming from his relationship with Nicks, led to his first departure in 1987 to focus on his solo career.

Buckingham rejoined Fleetwood Mac in 1997 for 'The Dance' tour and album, continuing with the band until a highly publicized and contentious dismissal in April 2018. The reasons cited included disagreements over tour schedules and Buckingham's desire to include newer or less well-known material. Stevie Nicks reportedly gave the other band members an ultimatum, leading to his ouster. Buckingham subsequently filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates, alleging breach of contract, which was later settled out of court.

In February 2019, Buckingham underwent emergency open-heart surgery, which, while successful, resulted in damage to his vocal cords. His wife, Kristen Buckingham, shared updates on his recovery, expressing hope that the damage would not be permanent. He made his first public performance post-surgery in May 2019, playing 'Landslide' at his daughter's high school graduation.

Despite these challenges, Buckingham has remained creatively active. He released his seventh solo studio album, 'Lindsey Buckingham,' in September 2021, and also guested on Halsey's 2021 album. In May 2024, a vinyl boxed set titled '20th Century Lindsey' was released, compiling his first three solo albums and rarities.

As of early 2026, Buckingham is poised for a busy year. He has revealed that a new solo album, which he has been working on for a couple of years, is 'one song away from being finished.' Additionally, a long-anticipated Apple Original Fleetwood Mac documentary, directed by Frank Marshall, is in the works. Perhaps most notably, a significant thaw in his relationship with Stevie Nicks has occurred. Following the reissue of their 1973 'Buckingham Nicks' album in 2025, the two artists have reconnected and are now on speaking terms. Buckingham has hinted at a potential future creative collaboration with Nicks, stating that the 'energy' and 'resurgence of connection' between them could 'translate to something good, and something wonderful, and something needed and something extremely appropriate.' While no specific tour dates for 2026 are officially listed on major ticketing sites like Live Nation, some independent ticket brokers mention a potential 30-date solo tour.