Playing in the Rain: Lindsey Buckingham & Fleetwood Mac

by Tyler Sehnal

NEWLY REVISED, UPDATED, AND EXPANDED NOW WITH ADDED CHAPTERS AND EXTENSIVE ENDNOTES!Turn on the radio or take the time to flip through the stacks of used CDs at your local thrift store. Google "rock 'n' roll music," even. Better yet, visit any public place that plays popular music from the last 50 years or so as the soundtrack to your Saturday afternoon grocery-shopping, clothes-buying or indie record store-scouting experience and you'll find that no matter where you go, there's an ever-enduring presence that since the late 1960s has been a mainstay in the world of pop culture and popular a former blues band turned rock 'n' roll atom bomb called Fleetwood Mac.Though much of the band's popularity stems from their work in the late seventies and eighties, from an era when gas was 50 cents a gallon and singers were their own songwriters, there's a reason why the band has been able to maintain their status as rock 'n' roll royalty even more than 50 years after making their debut as a London-based blues group.His name is Lindsey Buckingham.Playing in the Rain explores Buckingham's journey from aspiring rock and roller to solo star, legendary producer, and chief architect of Fleetwood Mac's legacy and global superstardom. In doing so, Playing in the Rain fills gaps in modern conceptualizations of the band and Buckingham's own life and legacy.

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2023

Reviews

[Laur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up with Fleetwood Mac in the 70s, my friends and I were true fans of Fleetwood Mac. So with this book just published in Feb, 2023, I was so eager and not disappointed to take a trip down, memory lane, with Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie and the rest of FM to fill in the gaps now (as an adult) that I was either too young or too ignorant to care about back in the day.

What an eye opener this book is in covering the history of their interpersonal relationships- their business relationships - the stage antics and in some cases the aggressive song lyrics. Buckingham even developed a special hybrid type of strum on the guitar which really made his sound unique- things that might have been plain to some degree as they performed and recorded, but to the fans, this was the magic of Buckingham & Nicks - of Fleetwood Mac. The Chain was never supposed to break! It was powerful- it was hauntingly special- the Rumours 5!

It’s been said and arguably proved: “ that thunder does only happen when it’s raining” after all…..

Recommended for anyone interested in Buckingham, Nicks, and the history of Fleetwood Mac’s albums and singles. Songs written for and collaborations with others. It’s all covered here from the earliest of days of their formation to current time, and acknowledges with sorrow the loss of bandmate, sister and best friend, Christine McVie.

My thanks to NetGalley, Tyler Martin Sehnal, and the publisher to an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

[Abigail L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating book that provides a fresh perspective on Lindsey Buckingham's journey and his impact on the world of popular music. The writing is engaging and insightful, taking readers on a journey through Buckingham's early years as a rock and roller to his legendary status as a solo artist and producer. The book is filled with fascinating interviews and anecdotes, offering a comprehensive and compelling portrait of one of rock and roll's most intriguing figures. This is a must-read for any music fan looking to deepen their understanding of Fleetwood Mac and the broader cultural landscape in which they emerged.

[George-porgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mostly interested in Stevie Nicks, but I now realize that Lindsey Buckingham is the true genius of Fleetwood Mac (even though he is often an asshole). This book highlights his part in Fleetwood Mac's success. I recommend it.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engrossing read that provides a deep dive into the life and career of Lindsey Buckingham, one of rock and roll's most influential figures. The book is expertly written and packed with fascinating insights into Buckingham's journey, his relationships with other band members, and his impact on the world of popular music. The author's passion for the subject shines through in every page, making this book a must-read for any fan of Fleetwood Mac or rock and roll in general. This is a masterful biography that sheds new light on one of music's most intriguing personalities.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An undeniably interesting subject, the repetitive way in which the book was written becomes grating. How many times can Stevie Nicks be referred to as a “Witchy Woman” or mention of Buckingham’s finger picking prowess. The timeline, although broken down into chunks jumps backwards and forwards and covers old ground with repeated mention of breakups and solo projects that poor Lindsey couldn’t get to. I feel like this book just needed stricter editing, as a Fleetwood Mac fan it’s made me want to relisten to their back catalogue but reading this book was very frustrating at times.