Lindsey Buckingham is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer best known as the creative force behind Fleetwood Mac, the band behind one of the best-selling albums of all time, Rumours, and as a solo artist behind hits including Trouble and Holiday Road. With his distinctive fingerpicking guitar style, his soaring harmonies and his gift for crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universal, Buckingham has built a career that spans more than five decades, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock music.
| Full Name | Lindsey Adams Buckingham |
| Date of Birth | October 3, 1949 |
| Age | 77 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Palo Alto, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, guitarist, producer |
| Known For | Fleetwood Mac, Go Your Own Way, Tusk |
| Wife | Kristen Messner (married 2000) |
| Children | Three, William, Leelee and Stella |
| Net Worth | Approx. $100 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Lindsey Buckingham?
Lindsey Buckingham is a musician who became one of the biggest stars in rock music. He first found fame with Fleetwood Mac, a band he joined in 1975 with his then-partner Stevie Nicks, and he went on to write and sing some of the band’s most beloved songs, including Go Your Own Way in 1977, Never Going Back Again in 1977 and Tusk in 1979.
Buckingham also had a successful solo career, with hits including Trouble in 1981, Go Insane in 1984 and Holiday Road in 1983, the theme song for the film National Lampoon’s Vacation. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and he has been praised for his innovative guitar playing and his production work.
Early Life & Background
Lindsey Adams Buckingham was born on October 3, 1949, in Palo Alto, California, the son of a coffee company executive father, and he grew up in Atherton, California, where he attended Menlo-Atherton High School. He began playing guitar as a teenager, teaching himself to play by ear, and he formed a folk duo with Stevie Nicks, whom he met in high school.
After graduating from high school, Buckingham attended San Jose State University, where he studied, and he formed the duo Buckingham Nicks with Stevie Nicks, releasing an album in 1973. He then joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, after the band heard the Buckingham Nicks album and invited them both to join.
He has been married to Kristen Messner, a photographer, since 2000, and they have three children, William, Leelee and Stella. He lives in Los Angeles, and he is known for his love of surfing and for his distinctive fingerpicking guitar style, which he developed by teaching himself to play.
Career
Buckingham’s breakthrough came with Fleetwood Mac in 1975, when he joined the band and recorded the album Fleetwood Mac, which included his songs Monday Morning and I’m So Afraid. The album was a huge success, and Buckingham went on to record Rumours in 1977, one of the best-selling albums of all time, which included his song Go Your Own Way.
After Rumours, Buckingham released his solo debut Law and Order in 1981, which included the hit Trouble, and he produced the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk in 1979, a double album that was a commercial disappointment at the time but is now regarded as a masterpiece. He left Fleetwood Mac in 1987, rejoined in 1997, and was fired from the band in 2018.
Like fellow Fleetwood Mac star Stevie Nicks, Buckingham is known for a career that spans decades and for the craft and innovation he brings to every performance. He continues to record and perform, and he remains one of the most beloved musicians in rock music.
Facts About Lindsey Buckingham
- Lindsey Buckingham wrote Go Your Own Way, one of Fleetwood Mac’s most famous songs, for the album Rumours.
- He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998.
- He was born Lindsey Adams Buckingham in Palo Alto, California, in 1949.
- His solo hit Holiday Road was the theme song for National Lampoon’s Vacation.
- He has been married to Kristen Messner since 2000, and they have three children, William, Leelee and Stella.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Lindsey Buckingham?
Lindsey Buckingham was born on October 3, 1949, which makes him 77 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Lindsey Buckingham?
Lindsey Buckingham is 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 metres).
Who is Lindsey Buckingham married to?
Lindsey Buckingham has been married to Kristen Messner since 2000. They have three children, William, Leelee and Stella.
What is Lindsey Buckingham’s net worth?
Lindsey Buckingham’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Lindsey Buckingham best known for?
Lindsey Buckingham is best known as the guitarist and songwriter of Fleetwood Mac and for Go Your Own Way.