Lindsey Buckingham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lindsey Buckingham
Buckingham performing in 2018
Background information
Birth name	Lindsey Adams Buckingham
Born	(1949-10-03) October 3, 1949 (age 75) Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Genres	Rock
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter record producer
Instruments	Guitar vocals
Years active	1966–present
Labels	Reprise Polydor Mercury Elektra Asylum Columbia Buckingham Records

Lindsey Adams Buckingham (born October 3, 1949) is an American musician and record producer. He is best known as the lead guitarist and co-lead singer for the rock band Fleetwood Mac. He was part of the band from 1975 to 1987 and again from 1997 to 2018.

Besides his work with Fleetwood Mac, Lindsey Buckingham has released seven solo albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" in 2011. Buckingham is famous for his unique fingerpicking guitar style.

Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975. He replaced guitarist Bob Welch. He also convinced the band to invite his musical partner and girlfriend, Stevie Nicks, to join. Buckingham and Nicks became very important members of Fleetwood Mac. This was during the band's most successful time. Their album Rumours (1977) sold over 40 million copies worldwide.

Even with great success, the band often had creative and personal disagreements. Buckingham left the band in 1987 to focus on his own music. Some hit songs he wrote and sang for Fleetwood Mac include "Go Your Own Way", "Never Going Back Again", "Tusk", and "Big Love".

The band reunited for a special performance in 1993 for President Bill Clinton. This helped them become friends again. Buckingham sang on one song for their 1995 album Time. He then rejoined the band full-time in 1997 for their tour and album The Dance. In 2018, Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac again. He was replaced by Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Lindsey Adams Buckingham was born on October 3, 1949, in Palo Alto, California. His parents were Morris H. Buckingham and Rutheda Elliott. His father was a football star and later ran a coffee company. Lindsey had two older brothers, Jeffrey and Gregory. They grew up in Atherton. Their parents encouraged them to be competitive swimmers.

Lindsey stopped swimming to focus on music. His brother Gregory won a silver medal in swimming at the 1968 Summer Olympics. Lindsey attended San José State University, but he did not graduate.

Buckingham first played guitar on a toy Mickey Mouse guitar. He played along to his brother Jeff's collection of 45s (small records). His parents noticed his talent and bought him a $35 Harmony guitar.

Lindsey Buckingham never took guitar lessons. He also does not read music. By age 13, he became interested in folk music. He was influenced by banjo players and practiced the energetic style of the Kingston Trio.

Music Career Highlights

From 1966 to 1971, Buckingham played bass and sang in a high school rock band called Fritz. He invited his friend Stevie Nicks to join Fritz as a backing singer. Their romantic relationship started after they both left Fritz five years later.

Buckingham Nicks Duo

In 1972, Buckingham and Stevie Nicks recorded seven demo songs. They used a special recorder at his father's coffee plant. In 1973, Polydor Records signed them. Their album, Buckingham Nicks, was released in September 1973. However, Polydor dropped them soon after because the album did not sell well. To earn money, Buckingham toured with Don Everly's band.

Joining Fleetwood Mac and Huge Success

Buckingham in 1977

In 1974, Mick Fleetwood heard a song called "Frozen Love" from the Buckingham Nicks album. He was very impressed with the guitar playing. Fleetwood was looking for a new guitarist for his band, Fleetwood Mac. He contacted Buckingham and offered him the spot. Buckingham told Fleetwood that he and Nicks were a team. He said he would not join without her. Fleetwood agreed to hire both of them without an audition.

Fleetwood Mac released their self-titled album in 1975. It reached number one in the American charts. Buckingham wrote two songs for the album: "Monday Morning" and "I'm So Afraid". He also sang lead on "Blue Letter" and Nicks' song "Crystal".

Their next album, Rumours (1977), made the band superstars. It became one of the best-selling albums ever. Buckingham's song "Go Your Own Way" was the first single and a Top Ten hit in the US. Other Buckingham songs on the album included "Second Hand News" and "Never Going Back Again".

After Rumours, Buckingham wanted to try new musical ideas. The result was Tusk (1979), a double album that Buckingham mostly guided. He wrote the lead single, the title track, which reached No. 8 on the charts.

Solo Career and Law and Order

While working on Tusk, Buckingham also produced albums for other artists. He also started working on his own solo album.

In 1981, Buckingham released his first solo album, Law and Order. He played almost all the instruments himself. Bandmates Mick Fleetwood and Christine McVie also made guest appearances. The album had a unique, experimental sound. It included the hit single "Trouble", which reached No. 9 in the US and No. 1 in Australia.

Mirage and More Solo Work

After a big world tour in 1980, Fleetwood Mac took a break. They reunited in 1982 to record Mirage. This album was more pop-friendly and brought the band back to the top of the US album chart. However, band members were also having success with their own solo music.

In 1983, Buckingham wrote and performed "Holiday Road" for the movie National Lampoon's Vacation. This song became a modest hit. In 1984, he released his second solo album, Go Insane. The title song was also a hit.

Buckingham also contributed to other projects. He performed on the charity single "We Are the World" in 1985. He also wrote "Time Bomb Town" for the movie Back to the Future (1985).

Tango In the Night and Leaving Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac's album Tango in the Night was released in 1987. Buckingham had already released two solo albums. He used many songs he had planned for his third solo album for Tango in the Night. These included "Big Love" and the title track. "Big Love" became a top ten hit.

Tango in the Night was a huge success, like Rumours had been. But after its release, Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac. He wanted to focus on his solo career and needed a break from the band. He said it was hard to be around Stevie Nicks after their breakup. Fleetwood Mac continued without him, with new guitarists Rick Vito and Billy Burnette.

Out of the Cradle and Solo Touring

After leaving Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham spent five years working on his third solo album, Out of the Cradle, released in 1992. Many songs on the album were about his relationship with Nicks and his decision to leave the band. He described the album as a way to deal with past feelings.

Out of the Cradle received good reviews. Buckingham toured as a solo artist for the first time in 1992–93. He had a band of seven other guitarists, and he taught them all the music for the concerts.

Returning to Fleetwood Mac

Stevie Nicks and Buckingham on the Say You Will Tour in 2003

In 1993, President Bill Clinton asked Fleetwood Mac to perform "Don't Stop" at his inauguration. Buckingham agreed, but it was a one-time event. The band members were still not fully reunited.

In the mid-1990s, Buckingham was working on a new solo album. He asked Mick Fleetwood for help with a song. Their collaboration grew, and they decided to invite Stevie Nicks, John, and Christine McVie to join. In 1997, the Rumours-era lineup of Fleetwood Mac toured together again for The Dance. This tour was very successful and helped heal old wounds. However, Christine McVie left the band in 1998.

Buckingham had recorded a solo album called Gift of Screws. But the record company convinced him to use some of those songs for a new Fleetwood Mac album instead. In 2003, the reunited band released Say You Will. Buckingham's song "Peacekeeper" was the first single. The band then went on a world tour for almost a year and a half.

Continuing Solo Work

On his 57th birthday, October 3, 2006, Buckingham's fourth solo album, Under the Skin, was released. It was mostly an acoustic album. He played almost all the instruments, except for two songs that featured John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. He toured to support the album. A live album and DVD, Live at the Bass Performance Hall, documented a show from this tour.

In 2008, the Gift of Screws album was finally released. It included some songs from the original planned album and new recordings. Buckingham toured briefly to promote it.

Fleetwood Mac toured again in 2009 for their "UNLEASHED" Tour. Christine McVie was not part of this tour.

Seeds We Sow and One Man Show

In 2010, Buckingham announced he was working on a new solo album. Seeds We Sow was released on September 6, 2011. He filmed a concert for a DVD to support the album. He then started the Seeds We Sow Tour.

Buckingham performing at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina, 2012

In 2012, Buckingham began a "solo" tour without a backing band. He released a live album called One Man Show in November 2012. This album was recorded during one night in Des Moines, Iowa.

Fleetwood Mac EP and Christine McVie's Return

The "Live World" tour for Fleetwood Mac started in April 2013. On April 30, the band released new music for the first time since 2003. It was a four-song EP with three new songs from Buckingham.

Buckingham performing with Fleetwood Mac in 2013

In 2014, Mick Fleetwood announced that Christine McVie was rejoining Fleetwood Mac. This was confirmed by the band's publicist. The band then started the "On with the Show" tour in September 2014.

In 2015, Buckingham suggested that the new album and tour might be Fleetwood Mac's last. He said it would be a "beautiful way to wrap up this last act." However, Mick Fleetwood said the new album could take a few years.

Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie Album

Buckingham and Christine McVie performing in 2017

In 2016, Fleetwood mentioned that Buckingham and Christine McVie had many new songs. He thought they could make a strong duet album.

Buckingham and Christine McVie announced a collaborative album called Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie. Mick Fleetwood and John McVie also played on it. This album was originally planned as a Fleetwood Mac album. Stevie Nicks did not join because she preferred to tour solo. The album was released on June 9, 2017. A tour followed, lasting until November.

Leaving Fleetwood Mac Again and Solo Work

Following a performance in January 2018, Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac. The band said it was due to disagreements about the tour, especially about including newer or less-known songs.

Buckingham and his solo band in 2018

Mick Fleetwood explained that Buckingham would not agree to the planned tour. He said they reached a "huge impasse." Fleetwood stated that they did not use the word "fired" because it was "ugly." He added that Buckingham would always have respect for his work with Fleetwood Mac. In October 2018, Buckingham filed a lawsuit against the band. The lawsuit was settled in December of the same year.

Buckingham said he learned about leaving the band from their manager. He was told that Stevie Nicks "never wants to be on a stage with you again." Nicks had issues with Buckingham's behavior at a recent event. Buckingham admitted he was particular about how things should be done. He was told that Nicks gave the other band members an "ultimatum": either he left, or she would. They chose for him to leave. Mike Campbell and Neil Finn replaced him. Buckingham has said he would be open to rejoining Fleetwood Mac, but he does not expect it to happen.

In August 2018, a new solo collection called Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham was announced. It focused on his solo career since 1981. The collection was released on October 5, 2018. A solo tour followed. In 2020, Buckingham played guitar on "Caution" for The Killers' album Imploding the Mirage. In 2021, he played guitar and sang on a new version of "The Past Is the Past" by Brandy Clark.

On June 8, 2021, Buckingham announced his seventh solo album, Lindsey Buckingham. The first single was "I Don't Mind". The album was released on September 17, 2021, and he started a tour to support it.

Buckingham also appeared on Halsey's 2021 album If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power. In August 2022, he joined The Killers on stage in Los Angeles. He performed his guitar solo from "Caution" and a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". He also played "Mr. Brightside" with The Killers and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.

Personal Life

Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were in the same high school, though he was a year younger. Their romantic relationship began after their band Fritz broke up. Their breakup in 1977 was reflected in songs they wrote, like "Silver Springs" and "Dreams" by Nicks, and "Go Your Own Way" and "Second Hand News" by Buckingham.

Buckingham had his first child with Kristen Messner in 1998. He married Messner in 2000. They have two daughters. Kristen Messner is a photographer and interior designer. They have developed homes in Los Angeles. Buckingham and Messner filed for divorce in 2021 but later decided to work on their relationship.

In February 2019, Buckingham had emergency open heart surgery. His wife said the procedure caused damage to his vocal cords, but he eventually recovered.

Musical Style and Influences

Lindsey Buckingham plays guitar differently from most rock guitarists. He does not use a pick. Instead, he almost always plays fingerstyle, using his middle and ring fingers to strum.

When he first joined Fleetwood Mac, he used a Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar. Before that, his main guitar was a Fender Telecaster. In 1978, he worked with Rick Turner to create the Model One guitar. He has used this guitar a lot since then, both with Fleetwood Mac and for his solo music. For acoustic performances, he uses a Taylor Guitar or a Rick Turner Renaissance RS6. He uses a custom-made Gibson Chet Atkins guitar for "Big Love" live. In the past, he also used an Ovation Balladeer. In the 1980s, he also used the Fairlight CMI sampling synthesizer.

His musical influences include Brian Wilson and Phil Spector. Buckingham has also worked a lot as a producer for Fleetwood Mac and his solo projects. He sees himself as a "stylist," meaning he focuses on how the music sounds and is put together in the studio.

Buckingham believes that guitar playing should support the song, not just show off the player. He said that great guitarists like Chet Atkins used their guitar skills to make good records, where the guitar parts were a key part of the song's sound. He explained that he started playing fingerstyle because of the musicians he listened to when he was young, like Scotty Moore and Chet Atkins, who used their fingers. He also listened to classical guitar and folk music, which influenced his style. He learned on his own and found that playing with his fingers felt natural.

Discography

Studio Albums

Live Albums

Compilation Albums

Singles

Soundtrack Appearances

Other Appearances

Music Videos

• "Trouble" (1981)
• "It Was I" (1981)
• "Holiday Road" (1983)
• "Go Insane" (1984)
• "Slow Dancing" (1984)
• "Countdown" (1992)
• "Wrong" (1992)
• "Soul Drifter" (1992)
• "Don't Look Down" (1993)
• "Show You How" (2006)
• "It Was You" (2006)
• "Shut Us Down" (2006)
• "Stars Are Crazy" (performance clip, 2011)
• "In Our Own Time" (performance clip, 2011)

See also

In Spanish: Lindsey Buckingham para niños