https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fleetwood-mac-fires-lindsey-buckingham-w518925

"Fleetwood Mac has fired Lindsey Buckingham after a disagreement over the band's upcoming tour, Rolling Stone has confirmed. The band announced Monday that Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and Neil Finn of Crowded House will replace him."

Neil Finn? Really?

I really don't care about any new music Fleetwood Mac makes any more, but as a fan of Buckingham and Finn this just seems like a weird fit to me. Can't quite picture him singing "Second Hand News" or "I'm So Afraid." But I'm guessing (hoping?) he won't be.

Considering that this is allegedly their farewell tour, I bet money will talk and Buckingham will be back by the time the tour starts.

Anyone in Fleetwood Mac whose name isn't Mick Fleetwood or John McVie has no reason to think he/she has lifetime tenure. Buckingham has left and been replaced before. (And as I recall, it took a pair of guitarist to fill his role that time, too.)

I hope Neil Finn is getting a nice paycheck from this tour. Artistically, at least, Fleetwood Mac needs him more than he needs them.

I bet they are bringing Neil on exactly because he can sing "Second Hand News" and "I'm so Afraid". I certainly don't want to hear Mike Campbell or John McVie singing those songs and you need a male vocalist to play off of Stevie and Christine's vocals. Neil has a great voice and a similar tenor range to Lindsey Buckinham. I buy it and any musician who didn't get a fat contract in the early 90's (looking at you R.E.M.) certainly can use the money and the exposure.

I have the impression Buckingham probably long hated some of his Mac bandmates but kept on working with them for the money (while doing some very interesting solo projects that a label like Drag City might release if he submitted them under a pseudonym with someone else singing.)

It all puts me in mind of the story Steve Kilbey told the audience, about meeting Joe Walsh in rehab. When asked for an update on the Eagles, Walsh groaned and grumbled and answered, "Man, ever since I sobered up, I realize just how much I hate those fuckers." Perhaps Lindsey (whether as a result of sobriety or some other newfound clarity) has come to a similar realization about his bandmates in Mac, or at least some of them.

It all puts me in mind of the story Steve Kilbey told the audience, about meeting Joe Walsh in rehab. When asked for an update on the Eagles, Walsh groaned and grumbled and answered, "Man, ever since I sobered up, I realize just how much I hate those fuckers."

. . .

That's a great story.

The fact that I immediately heard Buddy Cole telling it to me was just so much icing on the cake!

I'm fairly certain all these types of tours are more about the $$ and less about artistic integrity. Maybe Lindsay sensed that?

Loved split enz and crowded house but I'm having a hard time hearing Finn do the Lindsay parts (though I'm sure he's capable). HOWEVER, in my head I keep envisioning the Mac singing the "hey now, hey now" part in 'don't dream it's over'!!

I drove by a local theater today which advertised a Fleetwood Mac tribute band called Tusk which is playing tonight. Perhaps Mr. Buckingham can find employment w/them

Big-money concert tours take out insurance to cover the cost of canceled shows. As with any insurance, those policies always list exceptions. Could the departure of a key member fall into that category?

That's why The Who continued with their 2002 tour when John Entwistle died the day before the first show. According to Pete Townshend, they had insurance to cover the cost of cancellations, but it excluded any shows missed because of drug abuse by any band member. Townshend and Daltrey would've been on the hook for nine figures if they'd cancelled the tour.

I followed some comments on FB, regarding this tour and Buckingham's firing/replacements. Oh jeez, the whining and carping ... My favorite was: "I saw them at Tacoma Dome on their last tour. Sound quality was awful ... and Stevie Nicks doesn't even twirl onstage anymore!"

Yeah, where the hell does she get off, not maintaining her twirling ability as she pushes 70? Sad, I tell ya.