Neil Finn has joined rock giants Fleetwood Mac, replacing Lindsey Buckingham for the forthcoming tour.
Neil Finn and piano Photo: supplied
"Two weeks ago I received a wonderful invitation to be a part of a truly great band. A few days later I was standing in a room playing music with Fleetwood Mac.
"It felt fresh and exciting, so many great songs, a spectacular rhythm section and two of the greatest voices ever. Best of all, we sounded good together. It was a natural fit. I can’t wait to play some more," Finn says.
Mick Fleetwood said to Variety Magazine: “We jammed with Mike and Neil and the chemistry really worked and let the band realize that this is the right combination to go forward with in Fleetwood Mac style. We know we have something new, yet it’s got the unmistakable Mac sound.”
Finn will take Buckingham’s vocal parts, while Mike Campbell, of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers will also be joining the band on guitar.
According to Rolling Stone Buckingham was fired, over "a disagreement over the band's upcoming tour."
The tour has not been announced yet.
Drummer Fleetwood has long been a fan of Crowded House, and has been a friend of the Finn family since 2016.
Fleetwood played a part in the writing of Finn’s latest album Out of Silence, telling Byron News that "I invited myself to play in Auckland so I am going down there first to work on his next album, as a friend."
In April 2016 he collaborated with Neil Finn’s son Liam, making a surprise appearance onstage in Auckland along with Lawrence Arabia and Connan Mockasin.