In the world of rock and roll, egos clash as often as guitar riffs. But when a musician throws shade at another band, especially one as legendary as the Eagles, it ignites a firestorm of debate.
Lindsey Buckingham, the enigmatic guitarist and vocalist of Fleetwood Mac, isn’t afraid to voice his opinions, even if they’re controversial. One of his most well-known criticisms? He once branded the Eagles – yes, the Eagles – as “sellouts”.
Why would Buckingham make such a bold claim? Let’s unpack the reasoning behind this musical feud.
Why Buckingham Called the Eagles “Sellouts”
Buckingham, who was the driving force behind Fleetwood Mac’s sonic evolution back then, has a distinct perspective on artistic progression. He believes Fleetwood Mac thrived on reinventing their sound, a philosophy that often clashed with his perception of the Eagles.
In Buckingham’s eyes, the Eagles, after their monumental success with Hotel California, became stagnant, churning out music that mirrored their past glory. This stagnation, according to Buckingham, is the very definition of selling out.
Hotel California was undeniably a landmark achievement, securing the Eagles’ place in rock history. However, for Buckingham, the band’s attempt to recapture that magic through similar-sounding follow-up albums reeked of pandering to commercial success over artistic growth.
Lindsey Really Hated Bands That Stagnate Artistically
Buckingham’s aversion to artistic stagnation is well-documented. According to Fleetwood Mac engineer Ken Callait, Buckingham held bands who “sold out” in utter disdain. In Buckingham’s eyes, Eagles sacrificed artistic integrity after the monumental success of Hotel California.
Their subsequent albums, which Buckingham believed mimicked the sound of their masterpiece, epitomized selling out for him. This aversion to replicating past successes is a stark contrast to Fleetwood Mac’s approach.
While Buckingham’s harsh criticism of the Eagles might be debatable, there’s no denying Fleetwood Mac’s commitment to evolution. Their discography boasts a remarkable variety, with each album offering a distinct flavor of rock. This commitment to fresh sounds predates even Buckingham’s arrival, showcasing a band constantly pushing boundaries and defying expectations.
He Jokingly Referred to Fleetwood Mac as “the Anti-Eagles”
Fleetwood Mac’s ever-evolving sound is a point of pride for Lindsey. In a Rolling Stone interview, he emphasized the band’s constant state of flux. “Things change, and that’s a part of Fleetwood Mac,” he declared. Buckingham described them as a “moving target”, a group where the members might seem mismatched on paper, but whose differences create a unique synergy.
This embrace of change sets Fleetwood Mac apart from bands like the Eagles, according to Buckingham. He jokingly referred to them as “the anti-Eagles,” acknowledging their contrasting creative approaches. While he admires the Eagles’ ability to achieve a unified vision, Buckingham highlights the chaotic beauty of Fleetwood Mac.
“They always seem to know what they want,” he said of the Eagles. “We’re just the opposite. It’s kind of a political minefield out there.” This internal conflict, however, fuels their artistic exploration and keeps the band interesting, even if it means navigating a web of creative differences.