hubbub over canceled Buckingham concert

OMAHA, Neb. - The managers of a Lincoln theater say Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham's "diva-like behavior" doomed his concert there this week, and that the sound system he blames was not the problem.

In a message on Buckingham's Web site, "technical difficulties related to sound" were blamed for Wednesday's cancellation. Buckingham's message said the theater in downtown Lincoln refused Buckingham's request to use his own equipment to supplement its sound system.

"Lindsey prides himself on delivering the very best performance and production for every show, but in this case he wasn't able to do so," Buckingham's message said. "Lindsey hopes his fans in Lincoln will understand, and he looks forward to returning to Lincoln but under much better conditions."

Buckingham has been touring since October in support of his first solo album in 14 years, "Under the Skin."

Rococo Theatre events director Pam Gregorios said this was the first time it has ever had a performer cancel a show.

"Rococo staff and management were put off by his diva-like behavior ... and wondered if he always felt it necessary to be so rude to people who are simply trying to put on a good show," Gregorios said.

Buckingham's representatives did not immediately respond to questions e-mailed to them Thursday afternoon.

But a section of the Web site about the guitars Buckingham uses included a quote about how the equipment he uses isn't that important.

"It's all in the player really," Buckingham said to Rolling Stone magazine in 1979. "Look at somebody like Hendrix. It didn't matter what guitar he had or even if it was in tune. The thing is, if you can connect, you can get anything you want out of an instrument. There's no dream instrument that could give you everything. You just have to use your imagination."

Buckingham spent an hour checking the sound at the theater and rehearsing a couple songs before deciding to cancel about an hour before show time, Gregorios said.

"I can only speculate as to the disappointment of the six hundred and some odd fans who arrived to find the show canceled," Gregorios said.

Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 but bolted the group in 1987 over creative differences. The group has reunited twice since then for albums and tours.

Ticket holders will receive refunds.