Rocker in recovery after op

Lindsey Buckingham is recovering after emergency open heart surgery that has left him with vocal cord damage.

The former Fleetwood Mac rocker’s wife, Kristen Buckingham, posted the update on Facebook, capping off a tumultuous year for the guitarist that included his ouster from the Grammy-winning band.

‘‘Each day he is stronger than the last,’’ his wife wrote. ‘‘While he and his heart are doing well, the surgery resulted in vocal cord damage. While it is unclear if this damage is permanent, we are hopeful it is not.’’

The 69-year-old guitarist has a family history of heart-related problems that claimed the lives of his father and brother, said his wife.

Buckingham’s official departure from Fleetwood Mac came in April when the band announced Mike Campbell, of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, and Neil Finn, of Crowded House, were joining the line-up. Shortly after the band announced a new tour and Buckingham announced his own solo tour. – DPA