Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham have long been synonymous with the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac, a partnership that catapulted the group to unprecedented heights, both commercially and artistically. However, for Nicks and Buckingham, this collaboration marked the inception of the decline of their romantic relationship. Their tumultuous love affair, which began in the early 1970s, ended just two years into their time with Fleetwood Mac, yet even after nearly fifty years apart, the tension between them remains palpable and often overshadowed by their contributions to the music world.
Buckingham reflects on their first meeting in a 2009 BBC documentary, recalling that he met Nicks when he was only sixteen. Their long and complex relationship has been characterized by both deep admiration and significant animosity. Despite decades of performing heartfelt ballads on stage, their mutual disdain has become as legendary as the music they produced together. In an unexpected shift, both artists seemed to have put their ongoing feud on pause, as they announced the re-release of “Buckingham Nicks,” their collaborative album from 1973. However, the nature of their future interactions remains uncertain, leaving fans curious about the possibility of further joint promotions or performances.
The journey of Nicks and Buckingham is filled with rich history that dates back to their high school days in California in 1966. Though they initial played guitar together, their formal musical collaboration began at San Jose State University when Buckingham invited Nicks to join his band, Fritz. Romantic feelings gestated amid their professional alliance after the disbandment of Fritz in the early 70s. Reflecting on their connection, Nicks admitted in a 1977 interview with Cameron Crowe that she sensed a deeper bond between her and Buckingham, but noted that her fierce ambition deterred others in the band from desiring a romantic relationship with her.
Their romance flourished while they were working on the “Buckingham Nicks” album, yet the record struggled commercially, except in Birmingham, Alabama, where it developed a small cult following. Buckingham later remarked on the enduring quality of their album, noting that it caught the attention of Mick Fleetwood during a challenging time for Fleetwood Mac when the band was losing members. Fleetwood’s discovery would pave the path for Buckingham and Nicks to join Fleetwood Mac, leading to a formidable partnership that would produce the band’s very first No. 1 album in the U.S.
However, while their professional success soared, their personal relationship was crumbling. Nicks candidly described the pressures of their close working relationship contributing to their disintegration. Their breaking point came during the recording sessions for “Rumours,” Fleetwood Mac’s most celebrated album, which became a commercial juggernaut, landing at the top of the charts for 31 weeks. The songs on the album became emblematic of their tumultuous relationship, with hits like “Dreams” capturing the essence of Nicks’ heartache and Buckingham responding with the raw emotional depth of “Go Your Own Way.”
In the years that followed, both Buckingham and Nicks continued to navigate their complicated dynamic while pursuing solo careers and reforming Fleetwood Mac multiple times over the decades. Despite shared accolades, their personal connection remained distant and fraught with tension, leaving behind a legacy marked by both musical triumphs and emotional struggles.
In more recent years, tensions resurfaced as Buckingham was ousted from Fleetwood Mac, citing that Nicks had never wanted to perform with him again. Nonetheless, following the death of Christine McVie in 2022, Nicks expressed doubts about the future of Fleetwood Mac without their key player, suggesting that the band became a microcosm of their complicated interpersonal relationship. Fast forward to today, Buckingham and Nicks appear to have mended their differences just enough to celebrate the re-release of their shared album, a poignant reminder of their intertwined past. Their narrative continues to captivate fans, interlacing themes of love, rivalry, and creative genius across decades of rich musical history.
