Stevie Nicks has hit out at former Fleetwood Mac bandmate Lindsey Buckingham over comments he made about his departure from the group.
The Go Your Own Way star was ousted from the band in 2018 and replaced by Crowded House’s Neil Finn and former Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers star Mike Campbell.
Since his exit, Lindsey has maintained his ex-girlfriend was behind his axing from the band and, in a new interview, he doubled down on the claims.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he insisted: “It would be like a scenario where Mick Jagger says, ‘Either Keith (Richards) goes or I go.’
“No, neither one of you can go. But I guess the singer has to stay. The figurehead has to stay…
“I think she saw the possibility of remaking the band more in the Stevie Nicks vein.
“More mellow and kind of down, giving her more chances to do the kind of talking she does onstage.”
Following the claims, Stevie issued a statement addressing the situation for the first time, insisting Lindsey’s version of events is simply “revisionist history”.
“His version of events is factually inaccurate and while I’ve never spoken publicly on the matter, certainly it feels the time has come to shine a light on the truth,” she stated.
“To be exceedingly clear, I did not have him fired, I did not ask for him to be fired, I did not demand he be fired. Frankly, I fired myself.
“I proactively removed myself from the band and a situation I considered to be toxic to my wellbeing. I was done. If the band went on without me, so be it.
“And after many lengthy group discussions, Fleetwood Mac, a band whose legacy is rooted in evolution and change, found a new path forward with two hugely talented new members.”
Lindsey, who is due to release his self-titled solo album, claimed the situation arose because Stevie is “alone” and finds it hard to accept she isn’t the performer she used to be, but Stevie slammed his comments and insisted she’s “proud” of her personal and professional choices.
“Those are my decisions that I get to make for myself. I’m proud of the life choices I’ve made and it seems a shame for him to pass judgment on anyone who makes a choice to live their life on their own terms.”
Lindsey also hit out at the band’s manager, Irving Azoff, and claimed the businessman was “driven by the money” when it came to kicking him out – allegations he’s also refuted in a subsequent statement.
“I have historically declined comment on artists, but in the case of Lindsey Buckingham, I will make an exception,” said the mogul.
“While I understand it’s challenging for Lindsey to accept his own role in these matters and far easier to blame a manager, the fact remains that his actions alone are responsible for what transpired.
“Frankly, if I can be accused of anything it’s perhaps holding things together longer than I should have.
“After 2018 when Fleetwood Mac evolved with their new lineup, my continued work with the band was due entirely to the fact I’ve been aligned with Stevie Nicks in thought and purpose from the earliest of days.
“While financial gain was not a motivator for me, it was a delightful bonus that the band scored their highest grossing tour ever without Lindsey.”
In a recent interview, the Second Hand News singer insisted that “pretty much everyone” in Fleetwood Mac wanted him to return to the band.
“We love each other and we reinforced each others’ sensibilities in the band,” he mused, adding, “It’s my sense that pretty much everyone would love to see me come back”.
