Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lindsey Buckingham
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lindsey Buckingham made an impact.
Lindsey Buckingham is an American musician, renowned as the lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Fleetwood Mac from 1975-1987 and 1997-2018. Beyond his significant contribution to Fleetwood Mac, marked by a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1998, Buckingham has cultivated a solo career, releasing seven studio albums and three live albums. He is celebrated for his distinctive fingerpicking guitar style, earning him a spot on Rolling Stone's '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time' list.
1966: Performed with Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band
From 1966, Lindsey Buckingham performed psychedelic and folk rock with the high school rock band originally named the Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band, where he played as a bassist and vocalist.
1967: Stevie Nicks joined Fritz
In 1967, Lindsey Buckingham invited friend Stevie Nicks to join Fritz as a backing vocalist.
1971: Left Fritz
In 1971, Lindsey Buckingham left Fritz with Stevie Nicks. Their romantic relationship began after both left Fritz five years later.
1972: Recorded Demos with Stevie Nicks
In 1972, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks recorded seven demos on a half-inch 4-track Ampex recorder, kept at his father's coffee-roasting plant, and then drove to Los Angeles to pursue a recording contract.
September 1973: Buckingham Nicks album release
In September 1973, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks released their studio album Buckingham Nicks, produced by Keith Olsen; however, Polydor dropped the duo soon after due to poor sales.
December 1974: Offered Guitar Slot in Fleetwood Mac
In December 1974, after Mick Fleetwood heard "Frozen Love", he contacted Lindsey Buckingham after Bob Welch left Fleetwood Mac and offered him the vacant guitar slot in his band, leading to Stevie Nicks also being hired.
1975: Fleetwood Mac album release
In 1975, Fleetwood Mac released their eponymously titled studio album, which reached number one on the American charts. Lindsey Buckingham contributed two songs to the album: "Monday Morning" and "I'm So Afraid".
1975: Joining Fleetwood Mac
In 1975, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac after recording a studio album together.
1977: Rumours Album Release
In 1977, Fleetwood Mac released Rumours, which became one of the best-selling studio albums of all time. Lindsey Buckingham's song "Go Your Own Way" was the lead single. Buckingham also sang co-lead vocal on two of the band's biggest live staples: "The Chain" and "Don't Stop".
1978: Creation of the Model One Guitar
In 1978, Lindsey Buckingham collaborated with Rick Turner to create the Model One guitar. Buckingham has used it extensively since then, both with Fleetwood Mac and for his solo work.
1979: Tusk Album Release
In 1979, Lindsey Buckingham primarily directed Fleetwood Mac's experimental double studio album Tusk. The title track, written by Buckingham, peaked at No. 8 in the US and No. 6 on the UK singles chart and featured the USC Trojan Marching Band.
1980: End of Fleetwood Mac World Tour
In 1980, Fleetwood Mac concluded a large world tour and subsequently took a year-long break.
1981: Law and Order Album Release
In 1981, Lindsey Buckingham released his debut solo studio album, Law and Order, playing nearly every instrument. The album featured the single "Trouble".
1982: Mirage Album Release
In 1982, Fleetwood Mac released their studio album Mirage, which was a more pop-friendly work that returned the band to the top of the US album chart.
1983: Wrote Songs for National Lampoon's Vacation
In 1983, Lindsey Buckingham wrote and performed the songs "Holiday Road" and "Dancin' Across the USA" for the film National Lampoon's Vacation. "Holiday Road" was released as a single.
1984: Released Go Insane album
In 1984, Lindsey Buckingham released his second solo studio album, Go Insane. The title track became a modest hit. He also played guitars and sang harmony vocals on the track "You Can't Make Love" from Don Henley's second solo studio album Building the Perfect Beast.
1985: Soundtrack Work for Back to the Future
In 1985, Lindsey Buckingham did soundtrack work, including the song "Time Bomb Town" from Back to the Future. Buckingham played all of the instruments on the track except drums.
1986: Co-wrote 'Since You've Gone'
In 1986, Lindsey Buckingham co-wrote "Since You've Gone" for Belinda Carlisle's debut solo studio album, Belinda.
1987: Departure from Fleetwood Mac
Following his departure from Fleetwood Mac in 1987, Lindsey Buckingham spent much of the next five years working on his third solo studio album.
1987: Tango in the Night album release
In 1987, Fleetwood Mac released their fifth studio album, Tango in the Night. Lindsey Buckingham gave up much of the material intended for his third solo studio album for the project.
1992: Out of the Cradle Album Release
In 1992, Lindsey Buckingham released his third solo studio album, Out of the Cradle. Many of the songs deal with his relationship with Stevie Nicks and his decision to leave Fleetwood Mac.
1992: Solo Tour
In 1992, Lindsey Buckingham toured for the first time as a solo artist with four guitarists, a bassist, keyboardist, and three percussionists.
January 20, 1993: Fleetwood Mac Performance at Clinton's Inauguration
On January 20, 1993, Fleetwood Mac, including Lindsey Buckingham, performed "Don't Stop" at President Bill Clinton's inauguration.
1993: Reunion at Inauguration Ball
In 1993, Lindsey Buckingham participated in a one-off reunion at the inauguration ball for President Bill Clinton with Fleetwood Mac, initiating some rapprochement between the former band members.
1995: Vocals on 'Time' album
In 1995, Lindsey Buckingham performed some vocals on one track of Fleetwood Mac's studio album, Time.
1997: The Dance Reunion Tour
In 1997, Lindsey Buckingham and his Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac bandmates embarked on a reunion tour titled The Dance, marking their first time on the road together since 1982.
1997: Rejoined Fleetwood Mac
In 1997, Lindsey Buckingham rejoined Fleetwood Mac after a one-off reunion in 1993.
1998: Christine McVie Left Fleetwood Mac
In 1998, Christine McVie left Fleetwood Mac due to her fear of flying and wanting to be with her family in the UK, leaving Fleetwood Mac as a four-piece band.
2003: Fleetwood Mac Release 'Say You Will'
In 2003, Fleetwood Mac, including Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, released their first studio album in 15 years, titled 'Say You Will'. Buckingham's song "Peacekeeper" was the first single from the album, leading to a world tour lasting almost a year and a half. Seven songs from Buckingham's unreleased solo album 'Gift of Screws' were included on 'Say You Will'.
October 3, 2006: Release of 'Under the Skin'
On October 3, 2006, which was his 57th birthday, Lindsey Buckingham released his fourth solo studio album, 'Under the Skin'. Buckingham played almost all instruments on the album, except for two tracks featuring John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. The album also features a cover of The Rolling Stones' "I Am Waiting".
June 2007: End of 'Under the Skin' Tour
In June 2007, Lindsey Buckingham concluded his tour in support of his album 'Under the Skin', which had begun three days after the album's release. A live album and DVD, 'Live at the Bass Performance Hall', documenting the Fort Worth, Texas show was released from this tour.
2008: Release of Gift of Screws Album
In 2008, Lindsey Buckingham's album 'Gift of Screws' was finally released, featuring three tracks from the original planned album and seven new recordings. To promote the album, Buckingham commenced a short tour in September and October, starting in Saratoga, California, and concluding in New York City.
March 1, 2009: Fleetwood Mac's UNLEASHED Tour Begins
On March 1, 2009, Fleetwood Mac's "UNLEASHED" Tour commenced at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. Christine McVie was not involved in this tour.
November 3, 2010: New Album Announcement
On November 3, 2010, Lindsey Buckingham's website announced that he was working on a new, as yet untitled, studio album planned for release in early 2011.
April 22, 2011: Filming a Concert for DVD Release
On April 22, 2011, Lindsey Buckingham filmed a concert for DVD release to support his new studio album, 'Seeds We Sow', which he had finished recording earlier that month.
September 6, 2011: Release of 'Seeds We Sow'
On September 6, 2011, Lindsey Buckingham released his studio album, 'Seeds We Sow'.
May 3, 2012: Solo Tour Begins
On May 3, 2012, Lindsey Buckingham began a solo tour of the United States in Solana Beach, California. The tour featured Buckingham performing without a backing band.
November 2012: Release of 'One Man Show'
In November 2012, Lindsey Buckingham released a completely solo live album titled 'One Man Show' via digital download on iTunes. The album was recorded from a single night in Des Moines, Iowa, and was released on Buckingham's own label, Buckingham Records LLC.
April 4, 2013: Live World Tour Commences
On April 4, 2013, Fleetwood Mac's "Live World" tour commenced in Columbus, Ohio.
2013: Contribution to Nine Inch Nails' 'Hesitation Marks'
In 2013, Lindsey Buckingham is credited for three songs on 'Hesitation Marks', the eighth studio album by Nine Inch Nails.
January 11, 2014: Christine McVie Rejoins Fleetwood Mac
On January 11, 2014, Mick Fleetwood announced that Christine McVie was rejoining Fleetwood Mac.
September 30, 2014: On with the Show Tour Begins
On September 30, 2014, Fleetwood Mac's "On with the Show", a 33-city North American Tour, opened in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
January 2015: Buckingham Discusses Fleetwood Mac's Future
In January 2015, Lindsey Buckingham suggested that a new studio album and tour could be Fleetwood Mac's last activities and that the band might cease operating in 2015 or shortly after. However, Mick Fleetwood mentioned that the new album could take years to complete, pending contributions from Stevie Nicks.
June 2015: UK Arena Dates of 'On With The Show' Tour
In June 2015, Fleetwood Mac played a series of arena dates in the United Kingdom as part of their "On With The Show" tour. The tickets went on sale on November 14, 2014, and sold out in minutes.
August 2016: Fleetwood Discusses New Music
In August 2016, Mick Fleetwood mentioned that Fleetwood Mac had a significant amount of recorded music, but virtually none featured Stevie Nicks. Buckingham and Christine McVie contributed multiple songs to the new project, potentially enough for a strong duet album.
June 9, 2017: Release of 'Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie' Album
On June 9, 2017, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie released their collaborative studio album, 'Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie', which also features Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. The album was originally intended as a Fleetwood Mac album, but Stevie Nicks did not participate.
June 21, 2017: Tour Begins for 'Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie'
On June 21, 2017, Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie began a 38-date tour to support their collaborative album.
January 2018: Buckingham Dismissed from Fleetwood Mac
Following Fleetwood Mac's performance at the MusiCares Person of the Year event in January 2018, Lindsey Buckingham was dismissed from the band due to a disagreement about the nature of an upcoming tour and the inclusion of newer or less well-known material.
April 25, 2018: Fleetwood Mac Discusses Buckingham's Departure
On April 25, 2018, Mick Fleetwood and the band appeared on CBS This Morning and stated that Lindsey Buckingham would not sign off on a tour that had been planned for a year, leading to an impasse. Fleetwood avoided using the word "fired" but acknowledged the situation.
August 2018: Announcement of 'Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham'
In August 2018, Reprise issued a press release for a new solo anthology titled 'Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham', which focused on Buckingham's solo career since 1981.
October 5, 2018: Release of 'Solo Anthology' and Start of Solo Tour
On October 5, 2018, Lindsey Buckingham's 'Solo Anthology: The Best of Lindsey Buckingham' was released, followed two days later by the start of a solo tour throughout North America.
October 2018: Buckingham Files Lawsuit Against Fleetwood Mac
In October 2018, Lindsey Buckingham filed a lawsuit against Fleetwood Mac for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of oral contract, and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, among other charges.
2018: Dismissed from Fleetwood Mac
In 2018, Lindsey Buckingham was dismissed from Fleetwood Mac and replaced by Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.
2020: Collaboration with The Killers
In 2020, Lindsey Buckingham collaborated with The Killers on their studio album 'Imploding the Mirage', playing guitar on the first single "Caution".
June 8, 2021: Announcement of new studio album 'Lindsey Buckingham'
On June 8, 2021, Lindsey Buckingham announced his seventh solo studio album, titled 'Lindsey Buckingham', with the release of the single "I Don't Mind".
July 23, 2021: Release of 'On the Wrong Side'
On July 23, 2021, Lindsey Buckingham released "On the Wrong Side", the second single from his upcoming album 'Lindsey Buckingham'.
September 17, 2021: Release of 'Lindsey Buckingham' and Tour Start
On September 17, 2021, Lindsey Buckingham released his self-titled album 'Lindsey Buckingham', and his tour to support the album started the same month.
2021: Guest appearance on Halsey's Album
In 2021, Lindsey Buckingham guested on Halsey's studio album 'If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power'.
2021: Collaboration with Brandy Clark
In 2021, Lindsey Buckingham played on a new version of "The Past Is the Past" by Brandy Clark, which was issued as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of her album 'Your Life Is a Record'.
August 27, 2022: Performance with The Killers and Johnny Marr
On August 27, 2022, Lindsey Buckingham joined The Killers on stage in Los Angeles to perform his guitar solo from "Caution" live, along with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Go Your Own Way". Buckingham and The Killers were also joined by Johnny Marr of The Smiths to perform "Mr. Brightside".
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