Vicious Vendetta: Stevie Nicks' Long Feud With Ex-Lover Broke Up Fleetwood Mac Years Before Christine McVie's Death

The '70s music-making machine unceremoniously dumped longtime guitarist and singer Lindsey Buckingham in 2018, four years after Christine reunited with the band on the On with the Show tour.

"Lindsey felt blindsided," a source said at the time. "Over 40 years ago, he kept the band going when it was ready to self-destruct. Now, they've kicked him to the curb without a second thought."

Sources behind the scenes said Lindsey's exit was fast-tracked by his former lover and bandmate Stevie Nicks. The two had a bitter breakup in the '70s when she ditched him for drummer Mick Fleetwood.

Though the band reunited after an icy 10-year split, bad blood lingered.

Despite the happy faces they put on while selling out two massive world tours, their fragile truce quickly crumbled. "Lindsey wanted to make a new album, and Stevie wouldn't make time in her schedule saying 'albums don't sell anymore,'" snitched the insider. "He considers himself a leader in the band and was livid."

When Stevie asserted her dominance and demanded the group launch another tour, Lindsey flat-out refused to hit the road.

Instead, he asked for a one-time break from stage shows — and rubbed Stevie's nose in her solo status by saying he wanted to spend the time with his wife and kids.

Furious Stevie gave the others an ultimatum: "It's my way or the highway." Fearing Stevie would take her legion of fans with her, the band told Lindsey to go his own way.