As the BBC celebrates Fleetwood Mac’s most successful performances with a special dedicated show, the Mirror takes a look at where the big stars of the band are now…
The big stars of Fleetwood Mac have experienced lots of highs and lows over the last 50 years.
The British blues band was formed in 1967 by guitarist and singer Peter Green, who recruited drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie. A few years later, John married Christine McVie and she joined the group as a singer and keyboardist, followed by folk-rock duo and lovers Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks .
Together, their self-titled 1975 album hit number one before 1977’s Rumours went on to become one of the biggest records of all time. But what’s happened to them all since? Over the last five decades, there’s been painful break-ups, sad health woes and only one original member remains, the legendary Mick. As BBC Two celebrates Fleetwood Mac’s finest performances with a dedicated show tonight, The Mirror takes a look at where they all are now…
Mick Fleetwood
At the age of 76, Mick Fleetwood has spent most of his life in the band. The drummer, who now lives in Hawaii, last performed with his Fleetwood Mac bandmates in 2019. Since, he has released his seventh solo album, Mick Fleetwood and Friends Celebrate the Music of Peter Green, in 2021.
Mick has been married four times and has four daughters, Lucy, Amy, Ruby and Tessa. In 2015, his 20-year marriage to Lynn Frankel ended and the couple parted ways.
After taking his twins, Ruby and Tessa, to a Harry Styles concert in 2014, Mick struck up a friendship with the former One Direction singer and in 2022, he became the face of Harry’s beauty brand, Pleasing.
Christine McVie
Christine McVie joined her husband John in Fleetwood Mac in 1970 and stuck with the band until 1998, citing that she’d developed a fear of flying. In that time, she divorced John and remarried, before separating from her second husband in 2003. In 2014, singer Christine officially rejoined the band for their On With the Show tour and went on to release a duets album with Lindsey.
Sadly, on November 30, 2022, Christine died at the age of 79 following a stroke. In a statement after her death, the band said: “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”
Stevie Nicks
Lead singer Stevie Nicks, now 74, joined the band as a package deal with Buckingham, but they split a few years later. She famously had a brief affair with Mick while he was married to his first wife, Jenny Boyd. Stevie went on to marry Kim Anderson in 1983 and sparked a solo career.
After having a dispute with Mick in 1991, Stevie quit Fleetwood Mac. She later said on the radio: “I loved being in a band. Until 1981, I was not the least bit interested in having a solo career.”
Nicks returned to the group in 1997 and has been with them ever since. Though, she has made huge moves on her own. In 2019, Nicks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking the first time a woman received the honour twice. Since then, she has collaborated with the likes of Miley Cyrus and Billy Joel.
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham, now 74, joined Fleetwood Mac with Stevie in 1975 as a lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist, but left the band 12 years later. He said it was because he didn’t want to tour anymore and needed some distance and closure from his ex.
He reflected: “When you break up with someone and then for the next 10 years you have to be around them and do for them and watch them move away from you, it’s not easy.”
In 1993, Lindsey returned to the group for a one-off performance, and then in 1997, he officially rejoined the band. But in 2018, he was kicked out after Stevie gave them an ultimatum. He told PEOPLE : “Stevie basically gave the band an ultimatum that either I had to go or she would go.”
A year later, Lindsey suffered a heart attack, and life-saving surgery caused vocal cord damage. But he has since performed, and in 2023, he joined Killers in a Los Angeles concert.
