Fleetwood Mac have fired guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, according to a new report by Rolling Stone.
The magazine says Buckingham was dismissed following a disagreement over the band's upcoming tour, which has yet to be announced.
"Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour,” said the group in a statement. “The band wishes Lindsey all the best."
In Buckingham’s place, Fleetwood Mac are bringing in Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House to handle guitar duties.
"We are thrilled to welcome the musical talents of the caliber of Mike Campbell and Neil Finn into the Mac family,” announced the band. “With Mike and Neil, we’ll be performing all the hits that the fans love, plus we’ll be surprising our audiences with some tracks from our historic catalogue of songs. Fleetwood Mac has always been a creative evolution. We look forward to honoring that spirit on this upcoming tour."
"Fleetwood Mac has always been about an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents,” adds founder Mick Fleetwood. “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."
Buckingham and then-girlfriend and musical collaborator Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 before their recording debut with the group for the self-titled 1975 album – of which an expanded reissue was released in January.
The pairing propelled Fleetwood Mac to new commercial heights with 1977’s “Rumours”, which went on to sell more than 40 million copies worldwide. Buckingham originally left the lineup in 1987 before returning a decade later for his second stint with the band.
Last year, the guitarist and Fleetwood Mac keyboardist Christine McVie toured in support of their self-titled album debut.
At press time, there’s been no official statement issued by Buckingham over the breaking news headlines regarding his departure.
See also:
VIDEO: Former AC/DC singer Brian Johnson performs with Mick Fleetwood in Maui
AUDIO: Fleetwood Mac stream unreleased version of Monday Morning
AUDIO: Fleetwood Mac stream unreleased version of Landslide
Fleetwood Mac to release expanded 1975 self-titled album reissue
Search Stevie Nicks at hennemusic
Search Fleetwood Mac at hennemusic
