Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham underwent emergency open heart surgery that damaged his vocal chords

  • Kristen Buckingham took to her Instagram to share that her 69-year-old husband underwent the emergency surgery last week 
  • 'While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage,' she said of Lindsey Buckingham 
  • Lindsey's wife alluded to her husband's other struggles in the past year, including his axing from the band 
  • The guitarist joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, left in 1987 to pursue a solo career and rejoined in 1997
  • He wrote 1976 mega-hit Go Your Own Way

By Matthew Wright For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

Ex-Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham is recovering from life-saving open heart surgery which has left lasting damage to his vocal cords, according to the musician's wife. 

Kristen Buckingham took to her Instagram to share that her 69-year-old husband underwent the emergency surgery last week. 

'He is now recuperating at home and each day he is stronger than the last,' she said in the post, along with a picture of the couple in Lindsey's hospital room.

'While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage. While it is is unclear if this damage is permanent, we are hopeful it is not.' 

Kristen Buckingham took to her Instagram to share that her 69-year-old husband underwent the emergency surgery last week

Kristen Buckingham took to her Instagram to share that her 69-year-old husband underwent the emergency surgery last week

'While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage,' she said of Lindsey Buckingham

'While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage,' she said of Lindsey Buckingham

Kristen alluded to Lindsey's other struggles in the past year, including his axing from the group after Stevie Nicks made it abundantly clear that she no longer wanted the musician, singer-songwriter and lead guitarist, who has been with the group since 1975, around.

His wife added: 'But despite all this, our gratitude for life trumps all obstacles we have faced at this moment. We feel so fortunate he’s alive. As does he. He looks forward to recovery and putting this behind him.'

She continued that the announcement served as a dual purpose to inform fans that Lindsey was pausing future shows in an effort to 'heal completely' and to also inspire someone to 'seek preventative care.'  

'Lindsey’s family has a history of heart issues, having lost both his father at 56 and his brother at 46 to heart related illness,' Kristen explained. 'If anyone is experiencing even the mildest of symptoms we encourage you to seek the care of a physician. 

The guitarist (center) joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, left in 1987 to pursue a solo career and rejoined in 1997

The guitarist (center) joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, left in 1987 to pursue a solo career and rejoined in 1997

He wrote 1976 mega-hit Go Your Own Way (pictured in 1979)

He wrote 1976 mega-hit Go Your Own Way (pictured in 1979)

Kristen alluded to Lindsey's other struggles in the past year, including his axing from the group after Stevie Nicks made it abundantly clear that she no longer wanted him around (pictured with the band in January last year)  

Kristen alluded to Lindsey's other struggles in the past year, including his axing from the group after Stevie Nicks made it abundantly clear that she no longer wanted him around (pictured with the band in January last year)  

'We are so thankful for the kind and generous love given by the people surrounding Lindsey, me and our kids throughout this emotional time. We can’t thank you enough for all you did for our family. We will never forget you.' 

Lindsey joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, left in 1987 to pursue a solo career and rejoined in 1997. He wrote 1976 mega-hit Go Your Own Way. 

The guitarist sued his ex-bandmates in December for kicking him out the group but settled with them in December. 

'We are so thankful for the kind and generous love given by the people surrounding Lindsey, me and our kids throughout this emotional time,' said Kristen. 'We can¿t thank you enough for all you did for our family. We will never forget you'

'We are so thankful for the kind and generous love given by the people surrounding Lindsey, me and our kids throughout this emotional time,' said Kristen. 'We can’t thank you enough for all you did for our family. We will never forget you'

Fleetwood MacLindsey Buckingham

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