Backstage (Lindsey Buckingham – ..And The Rumors Are Flying)

Welcome Backstage. I’m Damian DeadLove. Tonights artist is somebody special to my musical journey. In my honest opinion he is often overlooked as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Well that changes tonight. We’re talking about the one and only, Lindsey Buckingham.

You probably know him better as the Lead Guitarist & Co-lead vocalist of Fleetwood Mac. But he also has a solo career and is still currently active at the age of 75. He’s often overshadowed by the success of his former girlfriend and bandmate, Stevie Nicks. 

But I’m putting the cart before the horse, folks. We will cover the Fleetwood Mac era, but the focus will remain on, Mr. Buckingham. So lets get this party started, shall we?

Lindsey was born in Palo Alto, California, on October 3rd, 1949. His introduction to the guitar was a Mickey Mouse Toy Guitar that he learned to play on, strumming along to his older brothers record collection of 45’s. 

His parents saw he had talent and bought him a proper instrument, a $35 Harmony guitar. He never took a lesson or learned to read sheet music. He done it all by ear. 

At age 13, he got heavily influenced by the Kingston Trio, and folk music. It was then he started incorporating banjo picking styles. Tending to strum with his middle and ring finger instead of using a guitar pick.

In 1966 at age 17 while still attending high school, Buckingham joined a band called: Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band playing bass and singing for the group. After going through member changes the band regrouped in 1967 and shortened the name to: Fritz. 

It was at this time that he asked his friend, Stevie Nicks, to join the band as a backing vocalist. Their romantic relationship would start five years later after they both left, Fritz. 

In 1972 the duo now officially dating, recorded seven songs to demo, on a half inch 4-Track Ampex recorder. Then they headed to Los Angeles in search of a record deal. 

By 1973, the pair had signed with Polydor records. In September of that same year they released their self-titled debut album: “Buckingham Nicks.” They were later dropped by the label over poor record sales.  

It was during this time he toured with, Don Everly’s Backing Band, singing Glen Everly’s parts. Mainly because the couple was broke and it was a paying gig. 

Then in 1974 fate would intervene. Mick Fleetwood, drummer, and cofounder of the band Fleetwood Mac had heard the song, “Frozen Love,” which was off the Buckingham Nicks album being played at a California studio called, Sound City, he was scouting for his band. 

Fleetwood, was impressed and asked who the guitarist was on the record. By chance it happened that Lindsey and Stevie were in one of the other studio’s laying down some more demos. Fleetwood and Buckingham were introduced that day.

In December of that same year, Bob Welch, Lead Guitarist of Fleetwood Mac leaves the band. First person Mick thinks of is Lindsey, after making contact he offers him the job. Lindsey replies he and Stevie are a package deal.

I wanna interject here for a second. This is a ballsy move to be making counteroffers with a man who is offering you a paying gig in a band that has some musical credibility. 

Especially, the lead guitarist spot, that goes back to late great Peter Green. It’s a spot that allows you to sing and play guitar, but most of all you get to be a songwriter. Fleetwood Mac at it’s core has always been the rhythm section of Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. 

That’s why there’s been so many lineup changes. Fleetwood & McVie were cool with hiring both Buckingham & Nicks. But the decision ultimately comes down to one person if this deal goes through.

That person is the bands keyboardist and singer, Christine McVie, who is a songwriter herself, and John’s better half. It’s been implied in many stories that she’s a no nonsense kinda person. Luckily for everybody involved, Christine, ended up being cool with it.

By the way neither Buckingham or Nicks ever had to audition. They just met and talked music, I think it took place in a restaurant even. 

In July of 75 Fleetwood Mac releases it’s 10th album. The first with Lindsey and Stevie. The self-titled record shot up to number one on the charts.

For Lindsey’s part he wrote two songs on the record. Which were: “Monday Morning” and “I’m So Afraid.” he also sang lead on, “Blue Letter” which was the only song no one from the band wrote. Also he sang on a song penned by Nicks called “Crystal.”

But Nothing could prepare the band for the masterpiece that would vault them into superstardom. One of the best selling albums of all time dropped in 1977. “Rumours” 

The album was a game-changer. Selling over 40 million copies worldwide. It was during making this record that Lindsey and Stevie broke up. They had been on and off again during the tour for the first record. 

Also, Christine and John had gotten divorced after the tour from the first record. It’s amazing anything was accomplished, but the songwriters of the group brought their best.

Also I should point out that, Mick Fleetwood the odd man out who doesn’t have a romantic interest in the band. Has his own problems his wife cheated on him with a friend of his. So, he has distractions as well.

Here’s the thing folks, you know I’m going to discuss this one. Without this album there are no solo careers, no freedom to make an album like “Tusk” which is the album after “Rumours.”

This is the whole ball of wax, literally. Here’s the thing, the timing of personal lives falling apart couldn’t have come at a worse time. Especially when you have to work with your ex in a band setting, and are under contract to make an album.

First off I guess I should start with getting the official lineup on record here. Fleetwood Mac is: Stevie Nicks – Vocals, Lindsey Buckingham – Vocals & Guitar, Christine McVie – Vocals & Keyboards, John McVie – Bass, & Mick Fleetwood – Drums.

 This album was made under copious amounts of drugs and alcohol, mainly a lot of fucking cocaine. Arguments, and chaos somehow orchestrated into brilliance.

The songs were raw and real and mostly pointed at one another. For Mr. Buckingham’s part he got the ball rolling with the first single off the record titled, “Go Your Own Way.” Guess who that songs about? It broke the top 10 on the charts. 

That was followed by, “Dreams.” a Stevie Nicks song. Which is the only number one song in the history of the band. 

The third song released was, “Don’t Stop.” Which was a, Christine McVie song. Where Lindsey sings the first verse, and Christine the second verse. 

The last single off the record was, “You Make Loving Fun.” another Christine song. By the way who writes the song in this band is who sings lead. Except where indicated otherwise.

By the way fun fact, Christine McVie, is the only member in the band that was classically trained. Her and Lindsey literally jammed on just guitar and piano and kinda laid out the albums music structures. Before a note was recorded. 

The band was even able to write one song where they all contributed to the write. It was a live favorite I’m talking about, “The Chain.” 

Which came from an old Christine McVie song called, “Keep Me There.” Lindsey re-wrote the intro, and took pieces from a song he wrote, Stevie donated a bulk of the words. Lindsey would sing the lead though, although they all sing on it.

Lindsey wrote, “Second Hand News, Never Going Back Again, & Go Your Own Way.” Stevie wrote, “Dreams, Gold Dust Woman, & I Don’t Wanna Know.”

Christine wrote, “Don’t Stop, Songbird, You Make Loving Fun, & Oh Daddy.” On later issues of the album “Silver Springs.” was added. Which was a Nicks song. 

Now that the facts have been stated, this album was written out of pain and hurt. Keep in mind, Mr. Buckingham essentially co-produced the record with Richard Dashut. Lindsey had to produce, Stevie’s songs. Mix them, communicate and work together, folks.

I’m going the paraphrase a quote from Lindsey: “It’s really difficult to produce and mix songs, when you’re pissed and hurt by the person who wrote them.” 

These lyrics are full of barbs, folks. Reminders, of everything that’s falling apart round him in his personal life. He was a professional folks, he treated her songs with the same care he did his own.

The tension in that studio had to be thick, and heavy. It’s been claimed that Lindsey and Stevie would sometimes argue between takes. Christine wouldn’t talk to John, unless it pertained to the music being worked on. 

Then you still got to go on a world tour afterwards. Even staying apart as much as possible, they still had to share the stage together. If that wasn’t enough pressure on the situation.

During the tour Stevie and Mick would have an affair. Being Mick was still technically married at the time. And they would hide it from Lindsey. 

Even after Lindsey was told by Mick, who supposedly couldn’t lie about it any longer. Buckingham claimed he was so numb by that point it took it a while to register.

Another footnote, Lindsey would leave the band once, and way later down the road he would be fired. I bring that up for one reason. 

I said at the beginning he was an underrated guitarist. Both times the band had to hire two guitar players to replace him. That says a lot about how good he is in my opinion.

That’s our show for tonight. Remember music is the soundtrack of our lives. Peace, Love, and Lennon. I’m Damian DeadLove