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Fleetwood Mac’s iconic guitarist Lindsey Buckingham is marking his 77th birthday today. Born on October 3, 1949, in Palo Alto, California, Buckingham has been a key creative force behind some of the band’s most beloved songs, such as “I’m So Afraid” and the enduring classic “Go Your Own Way.”
Buckingham played a pivotal role in the monumental success of the 1977 album Rumours, which dominated the Billboard 200 chart for 31 non-consecutive weeks. He contributed as a writer and vocalist on tracks like “Second Hand News,” “Never Going Back Again,” and “Go Your Own Way,” and co-wrote the iconic “The Chain.” This album not only became the best-selling record of 1977 but also cemented Buckingham alongside bandmates Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and John McVie as rock legends.
Nearly five decades on, Buckingham remains celebrated as one of classic rock’s greatest guitarists-and he shows no signs of slowing down. Earlier this year, he shared on Instagram that he’s nearing completion of a new solo album, revealing, “I am still very, very grounded in my creative life. I’ve been working on a new solo album for the last couple of years, which is one song away from being finished.”
Buckingham’s musical journey began early, inspired by his brother’s collection of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Little Richard records. His first instrument was a plastic Mickey Mouse guitar, and from there, he developed a unique approach to playing.
Unlike many musicians, Buckingham never learned to read music or practiced scales regularly. In a 2011 interview, he explained, “I don’t play every day.
I don’t sit and practice scales. I don’t even know scales.
… It’s always been about songs.”
One breakthrough moment in his career came with the song “Big Love” from Fleetwood Mac’s 1987 album Tango in the Night, which he performed live as a stripped-down guitar-and-voice piece. This approach, he said, became “a touchstone” that expanded how he uses the guitar to carry an entire track.
Buckingham’s most recent solo album dropped in 2021, showcasing his willingness to blend pop sensibilities with more artistic expressions. Reflecting on his evolving style, he said, “I wanted to make a pop album, but I also wanted to make stops along the way with songs that resemble art more than