Thread by @fleetwood_memes

THREAD:

Ok, here we go...

This will be an attempt to lay out the timeline of Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks & Lindsey Buckingham's relationship since they met in High School, up until today ❤️✨❤️‍🩹

DISCLAIMER: This thread will include alleged events that are not 1000% confirmed, even Stevie & Lindsey have clearly lied/been vague/told multiple different stories about certain happenings. And DO NOT use this thread as an excuse to send hate to anyone mentioned.

In 1965, Stevie (17) and Lindsey (16) first met at a Christian youth gathering. Lindsey was performing "California Dreamin'," and Stevie joined him on vocals. They were both students at Menlo Atherton High School in the Bay Area. Stevie was a senior and Lindsey a junior.

Although they didn't speak much in the following years, Stevie described this first meeting as "love at first sight".

Here are some cute pics of them from around this time, including Lindsey on the school swim team (his brother would later become an Olympic swimmer!) & Stevie at prom with her High School boyfriend Dave Young.

By 1967, Stevie & Lindsey were both attending nearby California State University in San Jose. Lindsey was studying Fine Art, while Stevie was studying communications. For context, San Jose is v close to San Francisco which had a popping rock music scene in the late 60s.

This year Stevie joined Lindsey’s band, The Fritz Rabyne Memorial Band after their previous singer left.

Stevie says Lindsey called her, having remembered their brief duet a couple years earlier, and asked her to join.

Things already begin to get a little murky in terms of the "official" timeline of their romance here. Both have said they both were dating other people during Fritz (Stevie w/Dave & Linds w/his High School gf Sally Durbin).

Stevie has given the years 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970 as times when they started dating, but when Stevie finally told the truth about the song "Gypsy" in 2009, she confirmed they’d co-habited Los Gatos in 1969. buckinghamnicks-ff.tumblr.com/post/912553917…

My guess would be that the public vagueness about the timeline from both Stevie & Lindsey is possibly out of respect for ppl they may have had overlap with & because they had lied to their bandmates & tried to hide the romance - so it didn't cause tension with the others!

There were certainly a lot of arguments within Fritz-personally & professionally- & low and betide when they visit LA they want Stevie & Lindsey not the other bandmates.

Bye bye Fritz, hello Buckingham Nicks 👋

“It was just Lindsey and me against the world," Stevie said of their relationship & musical partnership during their 1971 move to LA.

Here are some adorable pics of them performing at a wedding that year 🎤✨

During this time Stevie worked cleaning jobs and as a waitress while they worked on their 1973 album Buckingham Nicks. Though not commercially successful, it showcased their unique sound and paved the way for Fleetwood Mac.

Both Stevie, Lindsey & their friends at the time have described their live-in relationship (which seems to have extended from around 1969 to 1976) as a tumultuous but passionate & loving one.

I think it's also important to note that, due to whatever reason (likely their financial constraints prior to Fleetwood Mac) hard drugs weren't really a part of their life at this stage-despite being v common in the LA music scene.

At some point, Lindsey & Stevie are fighting (as per usual) and Stevie sleeps with a restaurant manager...Also named Lindsey! But she is forgiven by Lindsey number 1.

Stevie has said of this era: “Living w/Lindsey was like living with the other half of my mind. It was intense & sometimes v painful.”

“It was like a tug-of-war every day. He was my musical partner, my best friend, & my greatest love. And all of that was also the hardest part.”

During this period the dynamic definitely seems to be that while they are a SOLID musical partnership, Stevie works during the day to bring money in as she WANTS Lindsey to keep honing his craft, and thinks he is too talented/special to work a normal job.

Stevie is an incredible singer, songwriter and story-teller and a magnificent stage presence. Lindsey is a singer-songwriter, producer & musical genius. Their creative & professional worlds are synonymous-not in an entirely healthy way.

They were both crucial to each other's success. If you love Stevie's work you love Lindsey's. If you love Lindsey's work you love Stevie's and her influence in some way. You can do this without even realising it.

OK, so back to the timeline...

In 1974 Stevie allegedly has a miscarriage which inspires "The Tower" demo. This later becomes "Goodbye Baby" on FM's 2003 album, the recording of which was a "private matter" between Stevie & Lindsey.

On New Year's Eve 1974, Stevie & Lindsey join Fleetwood Mac. The story of how this happened has been done to death so I won't repeat it here.

Once again, there are lots of ups and downs. They became almost instant millionaires so their financial issues were over. But things began to go south again, after a while. tumblr.com/buckinghamnick…

I think at the moment people are really keen to read more about their dynamic in the 1990s onwards until 2018 so I will probably create a separate thread for the 70s/80s later but in summary...Stevie & Lindsey had a fair few relationships and affairs with other people.

There definitely seems to be a lot of evidence of Stevie & Lindsey continuing to occasionally sleep with each other etc throughout this period, regardless of who they may have been "official" with.

Stevie has said her & Lindsey “...never really broke up" until he dramatically exited the band in 1987-there are conflicting accounts of how that happened which we will return to.

Stevie had a hugely traumatic time in the 1980s, as her cocaine addiction spiralled and she lost her best friend Robyn Anderson to cancer days after she had given birth. Stevie essentially had a breakdown and married Robyn's widower Kim.

While I am sure they were both insane with grief, there are rumours Kim wasn't exactly kind to Stevie and she essentially had to escape the marriage after he locked her in the house (this is ALLEGED). I think they lived together for about 6 weeks and divorced after 6 months.

Let's return to the details of the 70s and 80s later...

After working on Tango in the Night, Lindsey quits the band and the HUGE argument at Christine's house takes place. Lindsey and Stevie both seem to admit to having been violent and incredibly harsh with their words on this occasion.

Lindsey later said that he left in 1987 because he was scared to see Stevie die.

Stevie had now became more heavily addicted to drugs (first to the cocaine & after rehab for that, to Klonopin which she said an awful therapist put her on and "ruined her life" for 7+ years).

A couple years later Stevie said her and Lindsey had patched up their friendship despite the huge fight. They were pictured at Sara and Mick Fleetwood's wedding in 1988.

By the early 1990s, communication had stopped. Stevie shared, “I tried to call him... he wouldn’t come to the phone. That really hurt.”

This era seemingly marked the most significant separation between them prior to 2018.

Lindsey made a few appearances at Fleetwood Mac shows at the end of '90.

In Oakland, Stevie made a teary dedication to Buckingham Nicks, stating she hoped "one day he’d find it in his heart to spend time with her & work with her again".

In 1991 Stevie makes conflicting remarks on the state of their relationship:

I imagine this is because the relationship at this point IS very conflicted & in disrepair. Sometimes they may have the odd chat, but mostly, they are estranged.

Re Stevie's addiction, the early 1990s seemed to be a VERY dark time for her. Prior to her 1994 rehab when she finally got clean of hard drugs, she gained a lot of weight, seemed to experience depression, isolation, & carried baby dolls in public. ❤️‍🩹

Lindsey was also having a rough time. He had been in a relationship with actress Cheri Caspari-with a break here and there- & seemingly had alcohol issues. Their relationship seems to have finally ended after a traumatic car accident involving them both. buckinghamnicks-ff.tumblr.com/post/122909571…

My heart really hurts for them during this period, esp. seeing how tough things got for Stevie and how the press were snapping her carrying these dolls, probably at her lowest moments. Even looking at these old pics makes me sad about how bad her addiction got.

Early 1994: Stevie goes on a 45-day rehab detox for Klonopin Rehab. Lindsey is allegedly involved in helping her, along with trying to tackle his own drink issues. We have no confirmation of this, although a reliable source has claimed it is true.

"Love Is" from Stevie's 2001 album may be about this period.

Stevie gets herself back on track, releasing "Street Angel" and staying clean.

Details of her and Lindsey's relationship at this time are very murky but that record "Twisted" as a duet in 1994, which they said they filmed in one night, leaving the studio at 8am after some "great two part harmonies"...*wink, wink*

Stevie was also spotted at some of Lindsey’s "Gift of Screws" recording sessions around this time.

For context...GoS album began recording in the mid 90s but was put on hold because of the Fleetwood Mac reunion tour in 1997...Which we will get to soon...

The "Twisted" lyrics really speak for themselves...The 1996 film itself is about a tumultuous divorcing couple torn apart by their dangerous & demanding vocations, who eventually find their way back to each other due to their strong bond🌪️

FYI, Twisted was recorded (I think) in 1996 NOT 1994 as stated before.

Let's continue...

It's now 1997...FM has essentially been on a downward spiral since Linds left in '87 and Stevie followed a few years later.

Somehow they decided it was time for a relaunch. Once again the details are unclear.

There are claims S & L discussed it over🌹dinner.

"The Dance" live concert was recorded in LA in May 1997 and the tour began later that summer. The famous viral "Silver Springs" performance took place during this recording.

The TikTok narrative about this performance seems to be "Stevie has hated Lindsey since their break up & she was pouring her anger out", including claims Lindsey cheated on Stevie in the 70s (this never happened!).

While it is clearly a passionate & INTENSE performance, there was likely so MUCH more going on in 1997 & so MUCH more to their relationship than hate, take the rumoured "Valentine's" dinner and so many sus quotes/interactions/testimonies around this period.

Take this infamous interview from the 1997 rehearsals. They are quite obviously flirting in front of everyone (including the interviewer) and appear to be in their own little world at certain parts of the recording...

Before I carry on I just want to re-emphasise that Stevie, Lindsey & their families/friends are REAL PEOPLE. We will likely never know the EXACT truth because it is highly personal. I am just attempting to compile facts & rumoured context for those interested in their art.

“Maybe when Lindsey and I are 60 years old, we'll look around and say, 'You know what, there just isn't anybody better around. Maybe we'll just get married or something.'"

- Stevie Nicks, July 1997

Some more conflicting quotes from the 1997 press rounds.

A cute little radio interview also from this period seems to imply that, despite his famous song (about the 70s break-up w/Stevie) Lindsey had indeed "gone back again"...

We should now mention that Lindsey seemed to be in an official relationship with 26/7 year old Kristen Messner at this point.

She was either separated or divorced from Warner Bros exec Gary Briggs when they met- who would certainly have known Lindsey & Stevie to a degree.

The Dance tour took place Sept 17th - Nov 30th.

Whatever exactly was going on with Lindsey x Kristen & Lindsey x Stevie around this time, it seems Lindsey's eldest child was conceived around Oct. 8th (Lindsey's birthday) this year, with KM.

Once again...This is ALL alleged BUT, there are claims that Lindsey was not initially v pleased re the pregnancy, esp. given the rumours that him & Stevie were approaching some kind of reconciliation. There were some v emotional performances at this time.

There are also rumours that KM deliberately tried to get pregnant & LB was angry about this due to the delicate situation w/Stevie + rumours that KM was keen to get in with the rich/celeb scene, which her prev. marriage could also be seen as evidence of?

IF TRUE Lindsey is obviously still responsible for his actions lol. We all know what s*x can lead to!!! Especially at age 48.

Moving on...Despite Stevie later saying Lindsey's fatherhood had doomed any chance of their romance, this does not exactly seem to have been the case...

In early 1998 FM travel to Europe to do a few shows and receive some accolades. During one SS performance for German TV Stevie is too busy staring at Lindsey to lip-synch properly (lol).

May 27 - Aug 14: Stevie’s "Enchanted" boxset solo Tour. Lindsey was spotted around A LOT, despite the fact KM was pregnant and Will was born on June 8th. There is a specific (ALLEGED) anecdote about S+L snuggling in front of The Simpsons on her tour bus.

Let's assume the "snuggling" anecdote is baseless gossip, which it may well be, is it likely that ALL the other sightings of Lindsey hanging around at this time are fake? I doubt it.

Moving on...Stevie gave a ravishing & intense performance at Woodstock in August, and did her VHS "Storytellers" show in September. The same month Lindsey and Stevie are allegedly spotted making out at an Andre Agassi benefit.

Ok I’m going to take a brief break now as I’ve been working on this for almost 3 hours! Back soon ☕️

OK, I'm back!

Sadly, on Jan 2nd 1999, Lindsey's mom Rutheda passes away. It seems Stevie may have attended the funeral w/him (unclear). In any case, Lindsey had gone through A LOT in the past year or so.

There are some theories that this passing could have prompted either S or L to suggest it was time to cut romantic ties and give "family life" a proper shot. Lindsey's second child is certainly conceived later that year.

Stevie apparently goes on a vacation with girlfriends after calling off things w/Lindsey again because of the second pregnancy.

Possibly, this is when Bombay Sapphires is written?

Now, we're finally @ the millennium...⏰

On Feb 15: Kristen and Lindsey are married in Hawaii.

It seems like a rather rushed affair with no family and friends...In a sugar cane field? 🌴

Stevie is recording her Trouble in Shangri-La album at some point this year, Lindsey is helping with some songs, including an early demo of Thrown Down (written in 1997). He later lies in the 2003 album documentary that he hasn't heard the song before...

Stevie has said Thrown Down is about her relationship with Lindsey in '97...& it pretty much speaks for itself. Falling back in love "night by night" and then something ("him") being a "barricade".

There also vague quotes from Stevie & others about Lindsey casually hanging out at her house during TISL (despite only being involved in guitar on 'I Miss You').

What a normal thing to do at your ex's house when you have two kids and a wife at home. Nothing to see here!!!!

On Sept 23 2000 Lindsey is a guest at Stevie's Arizona
Heart Benefit (FYI Stevie was born in Phoenix & had family there until her mom passed away in 2011). They gave an emotional performance together and Lindsey gave a teary speech about "eternal return".

Hello 2001...

Apr 21-Dec 9: TISL Tour with interruptions in Aug due to Stevie having issues with vocals.

Sadly some September dates are cancelled due to 9/11. Lindsey allegedly visits her at some point to encourage her to continue touring, possibly in Atlanta. Presumably she writes "Illume" around then.

Fleetwood Mac's Say You Will album era (2002-04) is honestly a WHOLE other level of INSANE drama, which I have done a partial thread on before. Tomoz I will add more detailed info on this period to THIS thread. But feel free to read this in the meantime.

@_cruella_davila So bothered about your election but you have time to respond to a random Twitter thread? If you don’t like it you know where the block/mute button is.

OK so a few more *context* tweets before we delve into psychological rollercoaster of 2002-04...

Stevie has not been in any public relationship since 1997 (still true as of 2024). In the Dance rehearsals she broke up with a younger guy+later told Sandra Bernhard that she "couldn’t possibly be with anyone while on road w/Lindsey."

Since 1990s Stevie has had a live-in assistant, Karen Johnston. Her sister prev worked for Stevie & was allegedly fired for trying to transport ❄️to her while she was recording in England. Lots of ppl think Karen has clashed with many of Stevie's friends, including Lindsey.

Also earlier we discussed Stevie's brief, toxic marriage to her BFF's (Robin) widower. She was estranged from her BFF's son Matthew who she cared for during the marriage BUT they reconnected when he grew up & she helped him with college❤️He looks a lot like his mom. RIP Robin.

I have to work now, so later today I will pick up from 2002.

See you then 👋

...And we're back.

It's early 2002, and Stevie is finishing up her solo tour.

“We are never not in touch... He [Lindsey] just had two children, so that is something new for both of us", Stevie told a reporter the previous year.

Jan 28 2002 is Stevie’s first day in the studio for "Say You Will" according to the "Destiny Rules" BST documentary. She brings an...interesting...dreamcatcher as gift to display in the studio.

"We should have called this album 'Infatuation'"

-Stevie Nicks, Say You Will tourbook

Tortured Poets Department, eat your heart out! 🖤

As @nicksbelladonna explained 👇, Lindsey had said the 1969 Japanese film Double Suicide inspired the SYW cover & concept. The film is about adulterous lovers driven to suicide.

@nicksbelladonna We prev spoke about Thrown Down-heavily implied to be about a 1997 affair- & LB lying about hearing it for the 1st time during the SYW sessions.

@nicksbelladonna The majority of SYW comes across as a musical dialogue between Lindsey & Stevie.

"Everybody Finds Out" heavily implies an affair. It was written the SAME WEEK the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal went public in 1998 while... S & L were looking cosy in Europe.

Before we delve into the CHAOS of the iconic Say You Will (def 03'-late '04) tour, take this in:

Stevie said in 2007: “I had a relationship 3 yrs ago with someone I’d gone out with a long time ago. It didn't work out then & it didn't work out now." fleetwoodmacnews.com/2007/09/stevie…

Stevie's ALREADY said she doesn't date while on tour "bc Lindsey".

& she had ZERO public BFs post 1997.

& Lindsey isn't just "an old flame" but THE "old flame" she's allegedly been back & forth with personally & professionally since '69.

Just some food for thought...

Stevie also tells us later on that she wrote "You May Be the One" (2011) on this tour & HEAVILY implied/joked that it was about Lindsey.

Anyway, while wrapping up production Stevie & Lindsey apparently have a huge bust up (surprise, surprise). They also have a big argument during the documentary. There is definitely creative & personal tension.

Back in the morning, when we will be DEEP DIVING the Say You Will tour (2003-4)❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

OK here we f*cking gooooooooooooooooooooooo

Let's start in Columbus, OH where the SYW tour kicked off May 7, 2003,with this...............💋

Here are some pretty cosy quotes from Stevie about Lindsey during this period 🗣️

FM have a slew of shows in Cali in July, during which time it seems Lindsey's second child was conceived with his wife Kristen.

🎶 You're not like other people / you do what you want to 🎶

''That lyric sums Lindsey up,'' says Nicks with a laugh. ''But he loves it. He loves the fact that I write about him. It makes him happy.''

- Stevie Nicks, Houston Chronicle (April 2003)

"After all this time, Stevie and I still have something to give each other." (He has been married to Kristen Messner since 2000.) Nicks says of her relationship with Buckingham, "We can never replace each other."

-Lindsey Buckingham, New York Daily Times, April 2003

There is clearly some backstage drama in June (overspilling into their onstage dynamic) BTW, with Stevie yelling “NO, GET AWAY” to Lindsey on stage 🙅‍♀️👀

All aboard the tour plane ✈️✈️✈️

From Nov 9-Dec 10 FM has European tour dates

Oh and in Sept Lindsey's interview w/Charlie Rose airs in which he looks rather suspect when asked to "define" his relationship with Stevie...Despite being married [to KRISTEN] since 2000.

Bro c’mon….

From 11 Dec 2003 to 16 Feb 2004 FM are on a break from touring.

At some point in 2004 Stevie buys a condo in Santa Monica-not too far from LB's Brentwood home-possibly her first permanent LA home in 10+ years (her main house was in Phoenix, AZ).

Feb 16-Mar 7: SYW tour's Australia leg, during which Stevie & Lindsey seem rather cosy.

They may be problematic and toxic BUT they are GLOWING ✨💖

Kristen does not seem to have been present in Australia, which is hardly surprising given that she gives birth to baby no.3 on April 17.

Stevie dedicates the frist show back to Baby Stella, but has a slip of the tongue.

I'll leave you to enjoy that sweet dedication for a minute, because things are about...to get... a lot messier ⚔️🫥

SO in late April Stevie + Kristen allegedly have a HUGE fight.

Stevie gets bangs after being hit by a mug.

(Yes this is ALLEGED although I have it on 2 sources-one who was close to S at the time, that this went down)...☕️

S clearly has bangs here (May) & didn't in Dec...

The above pic is from the May 7 show, the first of the last SYW leg which extends until Sept 14 2004.

You're probably thinking "OK that's where the drama stops? Right?"

Wrong...🔥

On May 15 concert reviews say Kristen made herself (deliberately?) present just off stage during Silver Springs with the newborn baby, queue Stevie being FURIOUS & Lindsey trying to obscure the two from each other.

Imagine if THIS was the SS that went viral on TikTok!!!???

On May 18, Lindsey allegedly has an altercation with KB’s ex husband Gary Briggs (who we mentioned earlier) backstage, possibly for badmouthing Stevie ⚠️

He returned to the stage with a cut on his face???!!!

Oh also flashback to 2003 for a sec...Some fans were chatting w/members of the band in the Four Seasons hotel in Atlanta...Who were entertaining strippers(!) One fan spoke to Brett Tuggle (keyboardist) and asked where Lindsey went, and Brett said he had to go “tuck Stevie in.”