Kiwi music legend Neil Finn is joining Fleetwood Mac.

The former Split Enz and Crowded House frontman is one of two new additions to the 50-year-old band for a tour later this year, replacing the departing Lindsey Buckingham, founder Mick Fleetwood announced on Tuesday morning. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lead guitarist Mike Campbell is the other.

Speaking to Variety magazine, Fleetwood said the band had always been about "an amazing collection of songs that are performed with a unique blend of talents".



"We jammed with Mike and Neil and the chemistry really worked and let the band realise 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."

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While no reason has been given for Buckingham's departure, it isn't the first time the guitarist and songwriter has left the band. He first joined the group in 1975, eight years after it was founded, and then left for a decade between 1987 and 1997. The first anyone knew of this latest move was when former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette (who replaced Buckingham between 1987 and 1995) said in a now deleted April 4 tweet that, "Breaking news: Lindsey Buckingham is out, but I'm not in".

All that the remaining members of the band would say about Buckingham came in a statement. "Lindsey Buckingham will not be performing with the band on this tour. The band wishes Lindsey all the best."