Ultimate Stevie Nicks Page: Complete History, Songs, Albums & More

Feature Photo: Ueli Frey, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our article on the History of Stevie Nicks looks at the life of Stevie Nicks while including links to all of her articles in a complete directory. Stevie Nicks is a musical icon. She gained success as a member of the band Fleetwood Mac as well as for her solo work. The singer sold over 30 million albums as a solo artist. She was able to achieve success in a male dominated industry. She got her start in the 70s by being a member of the legendary band Fleetwood Mac. While she was still a member of the band, she was able to become a successful solo artist. She became a solo artist in 1981. The singer was known for her gypsy costumes that would go on to become a fashion statement for the icon. Stevie Nicks kept writing and recording her own music even when she left the band. Stevie Nicks is rock royalty. She is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. She was inducted with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist. Stevie Nicks has had an interesting history. Like Fleetwood Mac, her life could be turned into a movie. The singer dealt with publicized relationships as well as her substance abuse problems. If you’re a fan of Fleetwood Mac or Stevie Nicks, you will learn a lot about her in this article. You can take a stroll down memory lane by learning the History of Stevie Nicks.

Early Life, Fleetwood Mac, Eponymous album & Stevie Nicks Breaks Up with Lindsey Buckingham

Stephanie Lynn Nicks was born May 26, 1948. She was born in Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents’ names are Jesse and Barbara Nicks. He was a business executive so the family had to move a lot. She found her love of music early in life. She received her first guitar when she was 13. Her grandfather made the guitar for her. Her grandfather wanted to be a singer so he taught her how to play the guitar. The “Bella Donna” singer joined a band in high school. Stevie Nicks met who would go on to become her romantic partner. She met Lindsey Buckingham in high school. She met him during her senior year in high school. She saw him performing a song at a club. He was in a band named Fritz. He wanted Stevie Nicks to be the lead singer of the band. Fritz opened for legends Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.

Stevie Nicks considers Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin her influences. They inspired her performances on stage. Stevie Nicks dropped out of college to pursue a singing career with Lindsey Buckingham. Fritz broke up in 1972, but Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham continued to work together. They wrote songs as a duo. The couple would record demos at nighttime. They ended up getting a record deal with Polydor Records. They released their eponymous album “Buckingham Nicks in September 1973. The album didn’t do well commercially. The record company ended up releasing them from the label. They weren’t making money as musicians so Stevie Nicks took any job she could get. Lindsey Buckingham was struck by illness so she had to step up and take care of business. One of her jobs was cleaning producer Keith Olsen’s house. The artists ended up living in the house with Keith Olsen for a little while. The couple also stayed with record producer Richard Dashut.

Stevie Nicks began to experiment with cocaine use. She was told that it wasn’t dangerous to try it. While they were living with Richard Dashut, Lindsey Buckingham was offered a job playing with the Everly Brothers. He went on tour with the Everly Brothers. Stevie Nicks stayed behind so she could write songs. The singer ended up writing “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” during the time Lindsey Buckingham was on tour. In 1974, Keith Olsen played “Frozen Love” for Mick Fleetwood. Mick Fleetwood was impressed with his guitar playing and wanted him to join Fleetwood Mac. Lindsey Buckingham wasn’t going to join without Stevie Nicks being allowed to join. The band decided to let both of them join the band. Their addition to the band helped them out a lot. They added a pop sound to their blues and rock sound.

In 1975, the band achieved success with their second eponymous album. Stevie Nicks wrote “Rhiannon” and it was considered one of their best songs. Stevie Nicks wrote “Landslide” for the group too. It was another hit song for the band. The “Hard Advice” singer was receiving attention for her live performances because the intensity she displayed in their songs. She realized how popular she was becoming with her fashion style. She started to wear gypsy like outfits featuring long skirts, shawls and platform boots. Stevie Nicks and Lyndsey Buckingham were beginning to show signs that their relationship was over. By 1976, Stevie Nicks broke up with Lindsey Buckingham, but they remained in the band.

Rumours, Secret Relationship, Background Vocals, New Label, Solo Career & Personal Tragedy

In 1976, Fleetwood Mac had pressure to create another hit like their second eponymous album. They went in the studio to record what would become their biggest hit album. In 1977, the band released Rumours. The album was a smash hit for the band. Stevie Nicks wrote the band’s number one hit “Dreams.” Stevie Nicks wrote “Silver Springs,” but it wasn’t added to the album. Fleetwood Mac didn’t want a lot of ballads on the album. She wasn’t happy that her song wasn’t used. Rumours sold over 45 million copies worldwide. In late 1977 during a concert to promote Rumours, Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood reportedly began a relationship.

Stevie Nicks talked about the situation. She said people were upset about their relationship because he was married to a good woman, and they had two good kids. She loved him and his family. She knew the relationship wouldn’t last because of the circumstances. Stevie Nicks ended the relationship not too long after it started. She thought the band would have been over if they continued their relationship. While the band was working on the Tusk album, she sang background vocals for musician Walter Egan. She provides background vocals for “Magnet and Steel” which was a hit record for the artist. In 1978, she recorded the single “Whenever I Call You Friend” with singer Kenny Loggins. In 1979, she recorded the single “Gold” with singer John Stewart.

While she was working on the Tusk album and the tour, she started recording demos for her solo work. In 1980, Stevie Nicks started a label called Modern Records with Danny Goldberg and Paul Fishkin. In 1981, the “I Can’t Wait” singer sang with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during their Hard Promises Tour. In July 1981, the singer released her first solo album. Bella Donna peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 charts. The album features the singles “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” “Leather and Lace,” “Edge of Seventeen” and “After the Glitter Fades.” The album sold over four million copies. Stevie Nicks should have been flying high when Bella Donna reached number one on the charts. She was given a devastating blow.

She found out that her friend Robin Anderson had cancer. Robin Anderson was having a baby at the time and only had a few months to live. After she gave birth, she made Stevie Nicks the godmother. Stevie Nicks couldn’t enjoy her success because of what happened to her friend. In 1982, Robin Anderson died from her health problems. In the same year, Stevie Nicks married Robin Anderson’s husband. She thought Robin Anderson would want her to take care of her baby. They got divorced a few months later. Stevie Nicks went on tour to promote her album. She had to end her tour so the band could work on their album Mirage. The album was released in June 1982.

The Wild Heart, Rock a Little, Addiction, Tango in the Night & Creative Differences within the Band

In June 1983, Stevie Nicks released The Wild Heart album. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts. It was number five for seven weeks. The album features the singles “Stand Back,” “If Anyone Falls” and “Nightbird.” The album sold over two million copies. The legend appeared on Saturday Night Live to promote the album. She sang “Stand Back” and “Nightbird.” She went on tour to promote The Wild Heart album. She immediately started working on her follow up album. She started to work on Rock a Little in 1984. The album dropped in November 1985. The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album was one of the best albums in 1986. The album features the singles “Talk to Me,” “I Can’t Wait” and “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?” The album sold over one million copies.

Rock a Little didn’t perform as well as Bella Donna. The album received mixed reviews from the critics. The critics were aware that her voice was different. People thought the change in her vocals was due to substance abuse. She became addicted to cocaine during her career. The singer was warned that she would have health problems if she didn’t stop using drugs. At the end of the tour to promote her album, she checked into the Betty Ford Clinic. She went to the clinic to fight her personal demons. Stevie Nicks credited what Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendricks were doing with wanting to start her addiction. They were doing it so she wanted to do it too. She had an epiphany about someone wishing she had thought about her actions. The epiphany made her want to stop doing drugs.

Fleetwood Mac returned to the studio to work on their next album Tango in the Night. The album was released in April 1987. Stevie Nicks couldn’t record with the band because she was in the Betty Ford Clinic. She sent them demos so they could work on the music while she was in the clinic. The album was a success for the band. It was their second highest-selling album after Rumours. The band went through turmoil because of creative differences. Lindsey Buckingham decided to leave Fleetwood Mac just before the tour. Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham got into a huge fight when she questioned his decision to leave the band. The “If Anyone Falls” singer suffered a setback. She had chronic fatigue syndrome and became addicted to a sedative that was supposed to stop her from taking cocaine.

The Other Side of the Mirror, Leaves Fleetwood Mac, Greatest Hits & Street Angel

In 1988, Stevie Nicks began working on her next album The Other Side of the Mirror. The album came out in May 1989. The album peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Rooms on Fire,” “Long Way to Go,” “Two Kinds of Love” and “Whole Lotta Trouble.” The album sold over one million copies. Stevie Nicks toured the United States and Europe from August – November in 1989. This is the one and only time she toured in Europe as a solo artist. She didn’t remember the tour because her addiction to the sedative Klonopin. Her psychiatrist prescribed large doses of the sedative to keep her from using cocaine.

In 1989, The singer worked with Fleetwood Mac on Behind the Mask. The album came out in April 1990. The album was a hit. The band went on tour to promote the album. After the tour, Stevie Nicks left the band. She had a disagreement with Mick Fleetwood because he wouldn’t let her use “Silver Springs” on her next album. He wanted to use the song for a Fleetwood Mac box set. He thought the song would sell the box set since the fans were interested in the song. The argument they had was the reason she left the band for several years.

On the 10th anniversary of her first solo album, Stevie Nicks released Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks. The album came out in September 1991. The album peaked at number 30 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album sold over one million copies.

In 1992, Bill Clinton wanted to use Fleetwood Mac’s song “Don’t Stop” for his campaign. They agreed to let him use the song. Stevie Nicks reunited with the band to perform the song at Bill Clinton’s Inauguration. In 1993, Stevie Nicks got injured during a baby shower. She knew she didn’t drink too much so she realized it was the Klonopin that caused her injury. She wanted to get help and went to a hospital to detox. It was hard for her to get through the detox. After she finished detoxing, she went to work on her next album. She released Street Angel in June 1994. The album peaked at number 45 on the Billboard 200 charts. The album didn’t feature any big hits. It did feature the singles “Maybe Love Will Change Your Mind” and “Blue Denim.” The album performed better in the UK than it did in the United States. The album sold over 500,000 copies.

Soundtracks, Band Reunites, Trouble in Shangra-La, Say You Will & In Your Dreams

In 1996, Stevie Nicks reunited with former bandmate and lover Lindsey Buckingham for a duet. They recorded the single “Twisted” for the Twister Movie Soundtrack. Also in 1996, she recorded the single “Somebody Stand By Me” for the Boys on the Side Soundtrack. Stevie Nicks recorded “Free Fallin’” for the Party of Five Soundtrack.

In 1997, Stevie Nicks reunited with Fleetwood Mac the Dance Tour. The tour was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their album Rumours. The band recorded a live album for the Dance Tour. The album was released in August 1997. The band received numerous nominations for the album. The rocker released Enchanted in April 1998. It was a greatest hits album. Stevie Nicks recorded two songs for the Practical Magic Soundtrack. The songs were released in October 1998.

In May 2001, the “Love’s a Hard Game to Play” singer released the album Trouble in Shangra-La. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 charts. It sold 109,000 copies in its first week of release. The album features the singles “Every Day,” “Planets of the Universe” and “Sorcerer.” The album sold over 600,000 copies. Stevie Nicks was nominated for a Grammy for the album. She was picked as one of People’s Most Beautiful People. Stevie Nicks was featured in a Behind the Music episode. She made quite a few TV appearances to promote the album. She went on tour to promote the album.

The ”Rooms on Fire” singer returned to studio with Fleetwood Mac. They released “Say You Will” in April 2003. The album was a success. Despite the success of the album and the tour, Stevie Nicks wasn’t happy with the way things were going. She argued with Lindsey Buckingham over creative differences. She also didn’t like how Christine McVie was gone from the band at this point. After she finished the tour with Fleetwood Mac, she worked on her solo project.

In May 2011, Stevie Nicks released In Your Dreams. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “Secret Love” and “For What It’s Worth.” The album sold over 199,000 copies. Fleetwood Mac gained a new audience when their music appeared on the TV show Glee.

24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault

In September 2014, Stevie Nicks released the album 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault. The album peaked at number seven on the Billboard 200 charts. It features the singles “The Dealer,” “Lady,” “Starshine” and “24 Karat Gold.” Stevie Nicks would continue to do tours, and release greatest hits and live albums and singles with other artists.

Philanthropy

Stevie Nicks may be known for her singing talent, but she also has a big heart. You may or may not know that she has given back to the community. Stevie Nicks started a charity called the Stevie Nicks’ Band of Soldiers. The charity is for people who have been wounded in the military. She gave out iPods and autographed them. She rallied her celebrity friends together to give out the iPods.

The singer performs annual concerts for the Arizona Heart Institute. She wanted to do these concerts because her father wanted to build heart hospitals. The benefits gave him a purpose. He was determined to build the hospitals so it was an incentive for her to do the benefit concerts.

Stevie Nicks donated a guitar for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Central Arizona.

Stevie Nicks performed at the City of Hope’s Spirit of Life fundraiser. The fundraiser was to honor Doug Morris from the Universal Music Group. It was to acknowledge what he does in the music community.

The “Leather and Lace” singer donated an autographed tambourine to the Tazzy Animal Rescue Fund. It was the one she used on stage.

Stevie Nicks performed at a benefit concert for St. Joseph Hospital. She also donated a tambourine to the hospital.

Personal Life

Stevie Nicks has been known to have a famous dating life. She has been linked to different men in the music business. She dated Lindsey Buckingham in the late 60s to the 70s. They called it quits in 1976.

She reportedly had a relationship with Fleetwood Mac member Mick Fleetwood in 1977. Mick Fleetwood was married with children at the time of their relationship.

Stevie Nicks had a relationship with Don Henley. She dated the singer after her relationship with Mick Fleetwood. She dated him from 1977 – 1978. It was revealed that they were going to have a baby together, but it didn’t work out.

The singer and songwriter was linked to songwriter J.D. Southern in the 70s.

Stevie Nicks was linked to producer Jimmy Iovine in 1980 – 1981.

The legendary singer dated musician Joe Walsh from 1983 – 1986. She considered him to be one of the loves of her life. They didn’t stay together because they were both dealing with personal demons.

She allegedly had a brief relationship with Eurythmics’ musician David A. Stewart in 1985.

The legend was linked to singer Rupert Hine from 1988 – 1989.

Trivia

One of Stevie Nick’s greatest regrets is her short marriage. She wished she were married longer than she was. She felt like her friend Robin Anderson wanted her to take care of her son for her.

The singer felt like Joe Walsh was the one who got away. She thought she should have married him.

She always keeps a journal with her to jot things down. She wants her family to be able to sit and read about her life.

Stevie Nicks is an ordained minister. She officiated singer Vanessa Carlton’s wedding to singer John McCauley.

She works out listening to her own songs.

Belinda Carlisle, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child, The Chicks, Courtney Love, Taylor Swift, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Vanessa Carlton, Lorde as well as other artists credit her as their inspiration in music.

The singer was a huge fan of the TV show Glee.

She was great friends with singer Tom Petty.

Stevie Nicks looks up to Michelle Obama.

The singer was only 15 when she wrote “I’ve Loved and I’ve Lost.”