singer-songwriter
From opening act to rock icon: Stevie Nicks turns 75
Stevie Nicks performs at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in New York. photo
© Evan Agostini/Invision/dpa
She used to clean and wait tables, then she moved millions of people as the voice of Fleetwood Mac. But with her rise to fame, Stevie Nicks also struggled with addictions.
More than half a century ago, the name Stevie Nicks became one of the not-so-secret hotspots of the San Francisco music scene. A little bit Janis Joplin, a little bit Jimi Hendrix, a little bit Grace Slick. And suddenly singer-songwriter and Fleetwood Mac member Nicks was her own brand. She is currently touring the USA again, playing concerts with Billy Joel and can be heard on Dolly Parton’s new album. She turns 75 this Friday.
Nicks was born in Phoenix in 1948 and later moved to California. In high school she met a certain Lindsey Buckingham – and their musical partnership took off. She considered becoming a hairdresser, but Nicks’ passion for singing and songwriting also fueled her ambition. She initially earned the money alone, Nicks said a few years ago: “Three waitress jobs and two cleaning lady jobs were cool: Lindsey worked on the music – I worked in restaurants and dirty houses.”
Joining Fleetwood Mac
In 1968, the couple rose to local prominence in San Francisco with their group Fritz, which opened for notable acts such as Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Inspired by her influences, Nicks emulated Joplin’s energy, the singing style of Grace Slick of the band Jefferson Airplane, and Hendrix’s clothing style.
Nicks and Buckingham’s talents also caught the attention of Mick Fleetwood, who, despite their turbulent relationship, invited them to join his band Fleetwood Mac in 1975. When writing the song, the two were inspired by their argument. Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled album in 1975 marked Nicks’ breakthrough, with her tracks “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” becoming instant hits. The follow-up album Rumors, released in 1977, cemented their star status, staying at the top of the charts for 31 weeks and earning a Grammy.
Also traveling solo
But Nicks was also drawn to the stage alone: In 1981 her first solo album “Bella Donna” was released, which reached the top of the charts and contained popular singles like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Leather and Lace”. Tours followed with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty, among others. During this time, however, they would not let go of their drug problems – and ultimately took them to a rehab clinic.
Despite successful years as a solo artist, Nicks remained faithful to Fleetwood Mac: She went on tour with the band again and again, most recently in 2019 in Berlin, among other places – but her childhood friend Buckingham had since left. Incidentally, she was the first woman to be inducted into the “Rock & Roll Hall of Fame” twice: with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.
Almost ten years ago, Nicks released her latest record to date, 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault, which featured remastered versions of earlier demos. In addition, she appeared in well-known television shows such as “The Voice” and “American Horror Story”. And of course she’s still touring: there are still almost 20 solo shows in North America until December.