Mick Fleetwood praises Neil Finn "Really credible, really talented"

Mick Fleetwood says Neil Finn is a "really credible gentleman".

Speaking to Billboard magazine about his love of rock photography and Fleetwood Mac's upcoming tour, the star had choice words for his new Kiwi bandmate.

"We're with Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and Neil Finn from Crowded House - both really credible gentleman and really talented," he said.

"We are a week into rehearsals and it's going really well and we're looking forward, in true Fleetwood Mac style.

"We're just looking at a whole 18 months on-and-off of trekking around the world like we normally do and having it be fun."

Fleetwood also opened up about the firing of former bandmate Lindsey Buckingham, saying "we all wish him well".

"In truthful language, we just weren't happy," he said. "And I'll leave it at that in terms of the dynamic.

"If you know anything about the history of this band, it's sort of peppered with this type of dramatic stuff," he said, referencing the band's many changes over the years.

Fleetwood Mac announced in April that Neil Finn would be joining the band along with Campbell.

"Two weeks ago I received a wonderful invitation to be a part of a truly great band. A few days later I was standing in a room playing music with Fleetwood Mac," Finn said in a statement.

"It felt fresh and exciting, so many great songs, a spectacular rhythm section and two of the greatest voices ever.

"Best of all, we sounded good together. It was a natural fit. I can't wait to play some more."

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission.