Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s on-again, off-again relationship has long been the stuff of rock and roll legend.
Their volatile romance was the inspiration for some of Fleetwood Mac’s most iconic songs, with the drama between them playing out in the music they created together.
Although the couple broke up in 1976, the tension between them still sparks interest, especially as newer generations, like Gen Z, discover the story through TikTok.
The emotional performance of Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac in 1997 continues to captivate fans, particularly because Stevie Nicks directed her heartfelt lyrics toward her ex in front of a live audience.
The Emotional Backdrop of ‘Silver Springs’ and Its Impact on Modern Fans
The song Silver Springs was born from Nicks’ heartbreak after her breakup with Buckingham.
She came up with the title after driving past a sign for Silver Springs, Maryland, and reflecting on what could have been.
Though the song didn’t make it onto the Rumours album, it became a centerpiece of the band’s 1997 performance in Burbank, California.
In that performance, Nicks didn’t hold back, pouring all her feelings into the song as she sang directly to Buckingham, who was playing guitar.
One TikTok user captured the drama, writing: “Don’t just write a song about your ex, make him play lead guitar and sing it to his face,” while another praised Nicks’ bold move as the “ultimate power move.”
From Early Days to Fleetwood Mac’s Success: The Rise of Buckingham Nicks
Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham’s musical journey began long before Fleetwood Mac.
The pair met in high school in California and bonded over their shared love for music.
Nicks was a senior, and Buckingham, a junior, when they first performed together in a Christian youth music group.
Their connection led them to form the band Buckingham Nicks in 1971.
Nicks supported them by working odd jobs, while Buckingham spent his time hanging out with his friends, a dynamic that would later spark tension between the two.
Fleetwood Mac and the Growing Tensions Between the Couple
In 1975, Fleetwood Mac’s drummer Mick Fleetwood invited Nicks and Buckingham to join the band, marking the beginning of a new chapter.
While Buckingham initially had a dominant role in the band, Nicks soon became the frontwoman, and the band’s fame skyrocketed.
As Fleetwood Mac’s popularity grew, so did the jealousy between the couple.
Buckingham was particularly upset that songs like Nicks’ Rhiannon and Landslide were gaining more attention than his own work.
This friction eventually led to their breakup just before the recording of Rumours, the album that would solidify their legacy.
The Aftermath of Their Breakup and the Birth of Iconic Songs
Their breakup served as the inspiration for some of Fleetwood Mac’s most famous tracks, including Second Hand News and Go Your Own Way.
Buckingham’s Go Your Own Way was particularly controversial, with lyrics that seemed to directly criticize Nicks.
“Packing up, shacking up is all you want to do,” the song’s lyrics claimed, which deeply upset Nicks.
In interviews, she explained that she resented Buckingham for spreading these false accusations about her personal life.
Tensions and Disputes Continue Amid Fleetwood Mac’s Success
Despite their personal differences, the band soldiered on, but the tension between Nicks and Buckingham didn’t subside.
In interviews, Nicks admitted that she and Buckingham’s relationship was poisoned by the pressures of fame, drugs, and the chaotic atmosphere of the 1970s rock scene.
She later had an affair with bandmate Mick Fleetwood, but Buckingham didn’t appear to hold it against either of them.
“I’d have been surprised if it hadn’t happened,” Buckingham said in a later interview, reflecting on the affair.
Physical Confrontations and Allegations of Abuse
Their volatile relationship reached a new low in 1987, according to Stephen Davis’ biography of Nicks.
The book recounts an incident where Buckingham allegedly manhandled Nicks, slapping her and choking her during an argument.
The altercation, which took place in front of the other band members, led to an intervention from their fellow musicians.
Buckingham never repeated this behavior, and Nicks confirmed that the incident didn’t escalate further, but it left a lasting impact on their relationship.
The Enduring Chemistry and 2009 MTV Interview
Despite all the turmoil, the chemistry between Nicks and Buckingham remained undeniable.
In 2009, Nicks spoke to MTV about their “electric crazy attraction” that never went away, even though their relationship was over.
“It means that the love is always there, but we’ll never be together, so that’s even more romantic,” she said, hinting at the tragic yet undeniable bond between them.
Looking Back at Their Past and Reflecting on What Could Have Been
Nicks later reflected on their relationship in an interview with The Guardian in 2011, revealing that had it not been for the pressures of fame and drugs, the couple might have stayed together.
“We would have married and had children,” Nicks said, imagining a different life for them away from the chaos of the music industry.
The Fallout From Buckingham’s Departure and Legal Disputes
The saga between Nicks and Buckingham didn’t end there. In 2018, Buckingham was abruptly removed from Fleetwood Mac, a decision that he later blamed on Nicks.
Buckingham filed a lawsuit for lost wages but ultimately settled the case.
However, he continued to accuse Nicks of orchestrating his firing, claiming she wanted to remake the band in her image.
Nicks, on the other hand, rejected his version of events, calling it “revisionist history” and explaining that she had left the band voluntarily because she felt it had become toxic to her wellbeing.
Ongoing Tensions and Personal Remarks About Nicks’ Life Choices
In the wake of his departure, Buckingham continued to criticize Nicks’ creativity and personal choices.
He claimed that she was lonely and judgmental about others’ lives, a sentiment that Nicks dismissed.
“Those are my decisions that I get to make for myself,” she said in response, proud of her independence and life choices.
Their rivalry continues to play out in the public eye, proving that the complex history between Nicks and Buckingham still shapes their lives today.