Ex 'Fleetwood Mac' Star Lindsey Buckingham Slams Band In Shocking Lawsuit: 'I've Only Gotten Radio Silence!'
Feb. 25 2019, Updated 11:37 a.m. ET
Lindsey Buckingham said he was heartbroken when he was suddenly cut off from Fleetwood Mac, and now the former lead guitarist is suing his former bandmates for breach of contract after he was dropped from the band's North American tour, according to court documents obtained exclusively by RadarOnline.com
In a suit filed at Los Angeles Superior Court, Buckingham, 69, said he and other members — Christine McVie, John McVie, Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood — signed with Live Nation for a 60-show tour over the next two years, with each member poised to make about $12 to $14 million.
Buckingham claimed everyone in the band wanted to start the tour in August 2018, but he asked to push it to November because he wanted to work on his solo album. Nicks reportedly only wanted to do three shows a week, which meant the band's North American tour would take even longer.
The star said he and the other members agreed to Nicks' request, and the band managers negotiated with LiveNation for 60 shows in North America, which included Buckingham.
In the affidavit, Buckingham said from December 2017 to January 2018, he also was exploring his options on whether he could embark on a small tour to promote his solo album.
Buckingham claimed he made it clear he considered the Fleetwood Mac tour as a priority and would do "whatever was necessary" to participate on the tour. However, about a week after the band performed at the Jan. 28 MusiCares event, Buckingham said he was suddenly dropped not only from the planned tour, but also from the band he helped create.
Buckingham said he has repeatedly reached out to members of the band. In an email to Christie McVie, Buckingham wrote:
"After forty-three years and the finish line clear in sight, it's hard to escape the conclusion that for the five of us to splinter apart now would be the wrong thing. Wrong for the beautiful legacy we've built together. Wring 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."
Buckingham said after he sent the email, he also offered to fly to Maui to meet with Nicks and Fleetwood, but his offer was rebuffed by both.
Buckingham said while continued to make efforts to keep the band together, the other members allegedly "secretly, and unceremoniously, moved on without him, including hiring contract players to replace Buckingham's iconic vocals and guitar parts on the live performances of the recordings" he created.
"On information and belied the other Partners, by wrongful excluding Buckingham, have sought to enrich themselves at Buckingham's expense. Buckingham brings this lawsuit in order to assure his rights to the usurped Fleetwood Mac Partnership opportunity."
In an interview on the CBS show "This Morning" on April 25, 2018, Fleetwood said, "This team wanted to get out on the road and one of the members did not want to get out on the road for a year."
Buckingham is suing for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty and intentional interference with prospective economic advantage.
In an email to Fleetwood dated February 28, 2018, Buckingham wrote he wondered whether the rift between him and the other band members was possibly caused by attorneys and management.
"In times past, the band has always relied on it's center, it's heart and soul to work through difficulties when they arose. But now, those around the edges — attorneys, management — have stepped in and rendered that center silent and impotent. Because of this, the only info and insights I've been able to get about things have come from those on the edges. And consequently, I wonder if there hasn't been an undue amount of intrigue and misinformation thrown into the mix. All of this breaks my heart."
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