Buckingham Nicks Album Gets First Official Reissue After 52 Years

Feature Photo: Bumperke, CC BY-SA 3.0 <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

The legendary 1973 recording that introduced the world to the duo before they joined Fleetwood Mac will debut on CD and streaming platforms for the first time

After more than half a century in print limbo, one of rock music’s most sought-after albums is finally returning to store shelves. The self-titled Buckingham Nicks album, recorded by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham two years before they became household names with Fleetwood Mac, will receive its first comprehensive reissue on September 19th through Rhino Records. I can’t tell you how many times I have bought and sold the original vinyl LP on eBay over the years. When I needed money, I’d sell it. When I had extra money, I would buy another one. It was always priced high, but it was always worth it.

The announcement ends what many collectors have long considered the most glaring omission in music reissue history. Since disappearing from U.S. retail in the early 1980s, the album has existed only in the secondary market, where original pressings command premium prices and bootleg copies have filled the void left by its absence.

A Digital Debut Decades in the Making

Perhaps most remarkably, this September release will mark the album’s very first appearance in the CD format, as well as its inaugural debut on streaming services and digital download platforms. The reissue has been carefully prepared using the original analog master recordings for vinyl editions, while high-resolution digital transfers will serve streaming and CD versions.

Music journalist David Fricke has penned new liner notes featuring fresh interviews with both artists. In excerpts released by Rhino, Nicks reflects on their early partnership: “We knew what we had as a duo, two songwriters that sang really well together. And it was a very natural thing, from the beginning.” Buckingham adds that the work “stands up in a way you hope it would, by these two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work.”

Multiple Formats for Devoted Fans

Rhino has planned an extensive rollout across various formats. A premium 180-gram vinyl pressing on the Rhino High Fidelity imprint, mastered by Kevin Gray from original tapes, will be limited to 5,000 numbered copies available through Rhino.com and select retailers.

An even more exclusive edition, capped at 2,000 copies, will include reproductions of two original 7-inch singles: “Crying In The Night” backed with “Stephanie,” and “Don’t Let Me Down Again” paired with “Races Are Run.” These singles will feature the original single mixes from the 1970s.

Beyond these limited offerings, standard vinyl versions will be widely available in multiple color variants. Amazon will carry a custard-colored pressing, independent record stores will stock baby pink editions, Books-A-Million will offer violet vinyl, and general retailers will have baby blue variants.

The Album That Changed Everything

The timing of this reissue carries special significance, as “Buckingham Nicks” was directly responsible for the duo’s recruitment into Fleetwood Mac. Originally released in September 1973 to modest commercial reception, the album caught the attention of Mick Fleetwood over a year later during a studio visit to Sound City. Producer Keith Olsen played the record to demonstrate the facility’s capabilities, leading Fleetwood to offer Buckingham the frontman position vacated by Bob Welch.

Crucially, Buckingham insisted that Nicks be included in any deal, resulting in both artists joining Fleetwood Mac at the end of 1974. Some material originally intended for a second Buckingham Nicks album eventually found its way onto Fleetwood Mac’s breakthrough 1975 self-titled release.

Social Media Teasers and Fan Speculation

The announcement followed a clever social media campaign that had fans speculating about potential new collaborations. Nicks posted “And if you go forward…” on her accounts, while Buckingham completed the thought with “I’ll meet you there.” Sharp-eyed followers recognized these lyrics from the album track “Frozen Love,” correctly deducing that a reissue was imminent rather than new material.

A Long-Awaited Return

The album’s extended absence from print has puzzled industry observers for decades. Both artists had previously indicated in early 2010s interviews that a reissue was imminent, yet milestone anniversaries came and went without resolution. The 40th anniversary passed in 2013, followed by the 50th in 2023, making this 52-year gap particularly notable.

Despite the iconic album cover featuring both artists topless—shot by photographer Jimmy Wachtel—there were no indications that imagery concerns factored into the delay. The reissue will retain the original artwork, putting to rest fan speculation about potential alternative packaging.

For longtime admirers and newcomers alike, September 19th represents the end of an era when one of rock’s most influential albums remained frustratingly out of reach.