Fleetwood Mac were discussing returning to the studio to work on new music before the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

According to Neil Finn who, alongside former Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers star Mike Campbell, stepped in as a replacement for the outgoing Lindsey Buckingham in 2018, the group were ready to record together. 

Speaking to Rolling Stone, he teased: “We had the idea of going into the studio with the band. Everyone was like, ‘It could be great!’ 

“But there’s a big journey from ‘it could be great’ to actually going in the studio,” he offered.

The group, also starring Stevie Nicks, Christine and John McVie, and Mick Fleetwood, hit the road in 2018/2019 with their ‘An Evening With’ Tour, and had shows booked for 2020 before coronavirus hit. 

While they didn’t have plans for a “full tour”, Neil added: “There was a huge will when we left it to do more things.”

Fleetwood Mac last released an album together – their 17th overall – in 2003 with ‘Say You Will’, featuring the singles Peacekeeper and Say You Will. 

Since then, the group has focussed on touring, and briefly returned with a handful of tracks in 2013, including the single Sad Angel. 

Prior to his departure, Lindsey and Christine released their eponymous duets album, which saw the pair backed by John and Mick, however Stevie sat out to focus on her solo career. 

The Stand Back star previously suggested the band would never release a new album, admitting: I don’t think we’ll do another record. 

“If the music business were different, I might feel different,” she added. “I don’t think there’s any reason to spend a year and an amazing amount of money on a record that, even if it has great things, isn’t going to sell.”