Lindsey Buckingham sues over dismissal from Fleetwood Mac

Buckingham’s lawsuit disputes his dismissal from the band, claims drama between band members are to blame.One of Fleetwood Mac’s greatest achievements is their longevity- despite their constant drama, bickering, and breakups the band is celebrating its 50th anniversary tour. But notably missing is Lindsey Buckingham, lead guitarist and long-time fixture in the iconic band. Buckingham was fired from Fleetwood Mac in April this year, just weeks before the band set out on tour.

The band issued a statement about the dismissal, blaming it on schedule conflicts due to Buckingham’s solo tour (which is happening the same time as FM’s).

But now Lindsey is coming forward and saying that’s not the case. He claims that after MusiCares he was shunned by all the band members, who wouldn’t answer his calls or emails. After learning of his dismissal, Buckingham filed a lawsuit suit against the band for damages and expected tour income. One of the documents in the suit include an email from Buckingham to Mick Fleetwood a month after his dismissal (and a month before his replacements were announced).

“Hi Mick,” it begins. “In the month since MusiCares, I’ve tried to speak to both you and Stevie, to no avail. I’ve only gotten radio silence this whole time. (I haven’t tried Chris as I thought she might be feeling a bit fragile.) I even emailed John, who responded that he couldn’t have contact with me…  All of this breaks my heart… After forty-three years and the finish line clearly in sight,” he wrote in the email — suggesting that there might have been thoughts of this as a farewell tour, or maybe just intimations of mortality — “it’s hard to escape the conclusion that for the five of us to splinter apart now would be doing the wrong thing. Wrong for the beautiful legacy we’ve built together. Wrong for our legions of loyal fans who would hate to see the final act be a breakup. Wrong for ourselves, and all that we’ve accomplished and shared together… If there is a way to work this through, I believe we must try. I love you all no matter what.”

It seems that schedule conflicts were an excuse to fire Buckingham who more likely was let go due to the drama and in-fighting within the band.

You can catch Fleetwood Mac in Kansas City or St. Louis this week!

See all the shows coming to Missouri on our Concert Calendar.

More lawsuit details from Variety.