Stevie Nicks is one of the most recognized names in rock history. As a singer, songwriter, and performer, she built a career that few artists — male or female — have ever matched. She is the only woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998, and again as a solo artist in 2019. Over the course of her career, she helped produce more than 40 Top 50 hits, with total sales exceeding 140 million records worldwide.
Before any of that success, Nicks was just a young woman trying to break into a tough industry. She got her start in a local Bay Area band called Fritz, where she performed alongside guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. The band built a modest local following during the late 1960s, playing clubs and venues around San Jose, California. It was inside Fritz that Nicks and Buckingham first developed both a musical and a deeply personal romantic connection.
After Fritz disbanded, Nicks and Buckingham continued working together as a duo. In 1972, they released a self-titled album called “Buckingham Nicks.” The record showcased real talent, but it failed commercially and their label dropped them shortly after. That rejection sent Nicks into a stretch of hard, unglamorous work. To pay the bills, she took jobs as a maid, a dental assistant, and a waitress — all while continuing to write songs and rehearse with Buckingham.
The turning point came in 1975, when Mick Fleetwood heard the “Buckingham Nicks” album and invited both of them to join Fleetwood Mac. That same year, Nicks contributed two songs that would define the band’s new direction: “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.” Both became major hits and introduced her voice to millions of listeners. “Rhiannon” had a particularly interesting origin — Nicks discovered the character in the early 1970s while reading a novel called “Triad” by Mary Bartlet Leader, long before she set the name to music.
Along with her music, Nicks crafted a visual identity that was entirely her own. She developed a gypsy-bohemian stage look built around flowing skirts, layered shawls, and tall platform boots. The look was intentional and consistent — fans recognized it instantly. It set her apart on stage and gave her performances a theatrical, almost mystical quality that matched her song-writing style.
Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album “Rumours” became one of the best-selling records in history, and Nicks was a central figure in its creation. The band recorded it during a period of serious personal turmoil — relationships were breaking apart, including that of Nicks and Buckingham. That tension fed directly into the music, and the result was an album that resonated with millions of people around the world.
Nicks launched her solo career in 1981 with the album “Bella Donna,” which was certified platinum. Her second solo record, “The Wild Heart,” released in 1983, also earned platinum status. Both albums confirmed that her appeal extended well beyond Fleetwood Mac. She was a headlining act in her own right, capable of filling arenas and charting hits independently of the band.
During her solo years, Nicks developed a serious drug addiction. Cocaine use had been part of the rock music scene throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, and Nicks was not exempt from its grip. She later described the addiction as one of the most damaging periods of her life. After years of struggle, she entered treatment and worked to overcome her substance abuse, eventually succeeding in getting clean.
These rare photos capture a young Stevie Nicks at various points in her journey — on stage, backstage, and in personal moments. They show the woman behind the legend, full of energy and presence, long before the accolades and the Hall of Fame plaques arrived.
Her beauty was breathtaking. It’s no wonder the whole band wanted to sleep with her.
Stevie was beautiful when she was with Fleetwood Mac in her early years. From the moment she and Lindsey joined the group, she was the real focus of the group.
She’s the epitome of sexy.
They say women, they will come and they will go When the rain washes
She was exquisitely gorgeous in her prime time and her voice.
Remember when concerts weren’t allowed to take pictures? Everyone now records the whole show on their phones
During their final tour, the B-52s did a radio interview. They said they still enjoy performing (traveling is too much), but are annoyed by so many fans who don’t dance and only record crappy videos with their phones.
That’s such a waste. How many times are you really going to go back and watch a shaky video with the sound going BBBBRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHCKKKKCKKKCKRRRRR?
Perhaps they would like to share their experience with friends later. My coworker showed me a recording they made on their phone. Some things I’m less interested in watching… probably not many.
Stevie Nicks only ever opened for Don Henley
She gave him leather and he gave her lace.
Fleetwood Mac is one of my top five favorite bands. I find it sad to think that the end of that musical generation is just around the corner.
As she gets older and can’t hit the high notes as often, she’s toned down her singing in recent years. However, here we are. She gave her all.
Last May, I saw her at The Gorge and she was toned down, but still wonderful. It was a completely different performance. There was a palpable sense of emotion.
A couple of years ago, I saw Fleetwood Mac at Wembley, and Christine McVie still sounded fantastic. It was a great show, and I’m glad I got to see them live, sans Lindsey Buckingham, who was replaced by Neil Finn.
Christine McVie was an integral part of Fleetwood Mac at the height of their success. She had no problem stepping back and letting bigger egos and personalities shine, but delivered just as much music, lyrics, and vocals as the rest. (Until he messed that up… by his own admission.)
Songbird has been my favorite song forever
She cheated on him with a sound engineer, didn’t she? It doesn’t exactly sound like it was all his fault.
Mick Fleetwood said that John and Chris were perfect for each other and they could have been together forever. When he was drunk, John would be very disrespectful. Even Stevie would say back in 1997-ish that John and Chris weren’t together because he drank his brains out. Different accounts describe John McVie as abusive towards her. During a tour stop in NY, he allegedly threw a woodpick and a turkey knife at her and verbally abused her. She had to sleep on Mick’s hotel couch to stay safe. Chris had to hide sobbing on Stevie’s room during the recording of Rumours because John would chase her yelling drunkenly. By the way, John was dating Sandra Elsdon while she was with Curry Grant (the light engineer), since he had actually cheated on Christine with her when the band (pre-Stevie and Lindsey) moved to the US.
During Stevie Nicks’ concert this summer, she closed it out with Wildflower, a song dedicated to Tom Petty. I cried. Behind her was a montage of pictures and videos of the two of them throughout the years, which I hadn’t realized how long they had known each other.
When she was still Christine Perfect, her voice enchanted me. Rock’n’roll coming out of Great Britain at that time was so heavily influenced by the delta blues. Christine and Eric Burdon are some of my favorite musicians because of it.
Best band ever
Stevie Nicks was an icon in the 1970s – her voice, style, and stage presence were unmatched. She seamlessly blended rock and roll with a touch of mysticism. And let’s not forget her incredible fashion sense – those flowing skirts, shawls, and platform boots are still being copied today. The 1970s would not have been the same without Stevie Nicks.
When “Go your own way” topped the charts.
It’s an amazing album. Even though I am not a huge fan of the genre, Rumors is one of the best complete albums from the 1970s.
Knowing the story behind each song and recording makes this album even more enjoyable. Affairs, drugs, cheating, hiding, and drama really ramp up the drama.
Fleetwood SNACK
Steamy Nicks
Second only to Steamy Ray Vaughn. It’s time for those britches to take a break, they’ve had enough
Kids’ music today is certainly not something I understand. Sounds like diarrhea to me.
Stevie is incredible, but don’t forget Christine in the background. In addition to playing several keyboards, she sings harmony as well.
Moreover, she sings lead vocals on a lot of the songs on the album Tango in the Night, which is a great example.
By far the best band I’ve had the joy of seeing live…
Damn Stevie, stop dragging my heart around
I recommend watching Dave Grohl’s “Sound City” documentary if you’re interested in Fleetwood Mac’s early years. The book tells the story of how Lindsay and Stevie joined the band.
With the voice of a hybrid angel-demon, this is a piece of art. Especially in her video with Tom Petty – Stop Draggin my Heart around, as well as in Fleetwood Mac – The Chain where she’s turned to look at Lindsey while the rest of the band faces the audience.
In the late 1970s, they played Folsom Field at the University of Colorado; I was living in Boulder and attending CU. Even though I was climbing in the Foothills with a very hot lady that night, I could hear the concert quite clearly. The band probably had the volume pretty high for that show since Boulder passed a noise ordinance after that concert.
Stevie Nicks used to make my balls tingle when she sang.
My Aunt loves her so much. She named her daughter Stevie.
The fact that Stevie is Stephanie’s nickname blew my mind
Growing up, my dad listened to Fleetwood Mac, which confused me. valeria Finding out who Stevie was and who Lindsay was
The seventies must have been magnificent
What Stevie Nicks did changed the world. She found a way to use her good looks to her advantage. Her sex appeal served her in that it helped her say what she had to say to the world.