Gold Dust Woman
Anyone who knows me knows that I love Stevie Nicks. I was blessed to see her February 10, 2024 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Atlantic City. I was second row, center and it was truly a magical experience. I wanted to make this post about one of my inspirations for doing what I do.
Though I was up close when I saw this beautiful creature, even from the back row, there is no mistaking her passion that reigns within her. The way she raises her arms, it is magical to see her basking in the sound that she herself is creating.
Stevie Nicks was born May 26, 1948. She is known for her hippie persona and her unique deep and raspy voice. This rock and roll legend is filled with passion, a wild heart and true grit. She has released many studio albums during her career as both a solo artist and in the ever so legendary band, Fleetwood Mac.
Stevie’s love of music began in early childhood; however, she did not begin writing her own music until she was fifteen. It was then that she received a guitar and wrote her first song, “I’ve Loved and Lost.” Stevie soon after joined a folk-rock band called The Changing Times and she sang in that band until 1966 when her family moved.
During her senior year of high school, Stevie met Lindsey Buckingham. Buckingham was an upcoming guitarist in a rock band called Fritz, in California. Stevie and Lindsey met at a party. Lindsey was performing a cover of California Dreamin’ and Stevie spontaneously decided to harmonize with him. A few months later, the drummer of Fritz contacted Stevie and asked her if she wanted to join their band. She immediately agreed. Fritz opened for some legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
Lindsey and Stevie worked in a very close, intimate proximity as they recorded for Fritz in a coffee warehouse which was owned by Lindsey’s father. After about ten months of recording, the feelings of love that had been brewing for years became public and official.
In the late part of 1971, the two moved in together in Los Angeles, which was the hotspot in the 70’s for music. Lindsey was touring with the Everly Brothers at that time and Stevie worked as a waitress and housekeeper for Keith Olsen, a music producer. Olsen helped them produce their very first album, Buckingham Nicks, in 1973. Because the album did not receive enough recognition, Nicks and Buckingham were dropped by the label. This vinyl is still wanted by every Nicks and Fleetwood Mac fan.
About a year later, Olsen played a track off of that album. The track was called Frozen Love and it was played for Mick Fleetwood - the drummer for Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood Mac was originally a British blues band but by the end of 1974, Buckingham was asked to join Fleetwood Mac as their lead guitarist. He refused to join the band without Stevie.
Nicks insisted that they accept this offer. She was over waitressing during the day and recording in the evening. Stevie’s initial desire to join Fleetwood Mac was mainly because of promised income. On January 1, 1975, Stevie and Lindsey began rehearsing with Fleetwood Mac.
Stevie wrote Landslide while she was struggling with her next step in her life path. It was released on Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 self-titled album. This album was a platinum album 20 times and hit number one on the US Billboard with three songs reaching the Top 20.
Steady income was coming in from Fleetwood Mac; however, in 1976 Stevie broke up with Lindsey but they promised to not allow that to affect Fleetwood Mac. This become very obvious in 1977, when their all-time greatest album, Rumours, was released. Rumours hit the Billboard charts with four singles and Stevie’s “Dreams” hit number one. At the 1978 Grammy Awards, Rumours received Album of the Year. It’s truly an iconic album on all of rock and roll’s three fundamentals - love, drugs and heartbreak. It’s truly a must-have for any music lover’s collection.
Go Your Own Way is a major example of Stevie’s and Lindsey’s animosity. His crude lyrics “packing up, shacking up’s all you want to do.” Stevie’s lyrics were polar opposite and filled with compassion “If I could, baby, I’d give you my world.”
It was then that Nicks wrote “Silver Springs” It was released as a b-side for “Go Your Own Way” but wasn’t added to the album until 2004. The lyrics are haunting. In 1997, during a live performance, Stevie expresses her heartache with such vulnerability that everyone who sees it can feel it. I highly recommend looking up that performance. It will hit you at your core.
Regardless of whether Stevie is part of a band or performs as a solo artist, her music is captivatingly timeless. She is authentic, strong and her emotions are part of every single song she sings.
Stevie was the first women to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, not once but twice - in 1998 with Fleetwood Mac and in 2019 as a solo artist.
As I stated earlier, I attended her concert February 10th of this year. It was an intense, magical experience. In between songs, she tells stories. She connects with her fans. She is tender, vulnerable and intoxicating.
It’s obvious why she is so loved. She has always performed with her heart and soul. Her energy radiates from within and reaches everyone in her presence. She is a truly a gift and I am grateful to have enjoyed her music all of these decades, and will always remember that magical evening.