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Stevie Nicks Reflects on ‘Daisy Jones & the Six’
Stevie Nicks recently shared her heartfelt reaction to the acclaimed Amazon Prime series Daisy Jones & the Six, which stars Riley Keough and is inspired by the dynamic of a fictional 1970s rock band, drawing elements from Fleetwood Mac’s own history. In an Instagram post dated August 15, Nicks expressed that watching the series was “very emotional,” noting that while it initially did not reflect her personal narrative, she soon found herself resonating deeply with the character portrayed by Keough. She described the experience as reminiscent, saying it felt as though she was “a ghost watching my own story.” Additionally, Nicks expressed a poignant wish that her late bandmate Christine McVie, who passed away in November 2022, could have experienced the series alongside her.
Who Is Stevie Nicks?
Stevie Nicks is a renowned musician who joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, swiftly establishing herself as a prominent figure in the music industry. Despite facing numerous personal challenges, the band achieved significant critical and commercial success. Their second album, Rumours, has sold over 21 million copies and garnered the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978.
In addition to her work with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks has cultivated a successful solo career, highlighted by her acclaimed album Bella Donna and iconic tracks such as “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around,” a collaboration with Tom Petty. Notably, she is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, underscoring her enduring influence and legacy in rock music.
Early Life
Stephanie Lynn Nicks, widely known as Stevie Nicks, was born on May 26, 1948, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. Her affectionate nickname, “Stevie,” is said to have originated from her childhood mispronunciation of “Stephanie” as “tee-dee.” Nicks was raised in a loving household; her parents, Barbara and Jess Nicks, first met at Arizona State University, where they became college sweethearts before marrying in 1947. Barbara dedicated her time to homemaking, while Jess built a successful career as a corporate executive.
The Nicks family was a close-knit unit, featuring Nicks’ paternal grandfather, Aaron Nicks, who aspired to be a country music star. Aaron not only handcrafted a guitar for young Stevie but also introduced her to iconic selections from the country music repertoire. By the age of five, Nicks was performing alongside him in local venues. Around this period, her younger brother, Christopher, was born.
As Jess Nicks advanced in his corporate career, the family relocated frequently, moving through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and California. In 1963, they settled in the suburbs of Los Angeles, where Nicks enrolled at Arcadia High School. During this time, she formed a significant friendship with Robin and joined a band called Changing Times, which was inspired by The Mamas and The Papas. However, her time with the band was brief, as the family soon moved to Palo Alto, California. There, she attended Menlo Atherton High School, where she met Lindsey Buckingham, a fellow student and talented guitarist. Their connection blossomed into a profound musical partnership, laying the foundation for Nicks’ future career.
Relationship with Lindsey Buckingham
After completing high school, Stevie Nicks briefly attended San Jose State College but withdrew in 1968. During this period, the Nicks family relocated to Chicago; however, Nicks chose to remain in California. It was there that she joined the local band Fritz alongside Lindsey Buckingham. The group gained a modest following, opening for renowned acts such as Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix before disbanding in 1971.
By this time, Nicks and Buckingham had developed a deep romantic relationship. They continued to collaborate musically and secured a contract with Polydor Records. In 1972, they released their self-titled album, Buckingham Nicks, which unfortunately did not achieve significant commercial success. To support herself financially, Nicks took on various jobs, including working as a maid, dental assistant, and waiter.
Meanwhile, the members of Fleetwood Mac—Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, and Christine McVie—were experiencing internal tensions and lineup changes. In 1974, while seeking a new recording facility, the band visited Sound City Studio in the San Fernando Valley, where Nicks and Buckingham had recorded their album. During the tour, producer Keith Olsen showcased the studio’s capabilities by playing the track “Frozen Love.” Fleetwood Mac was captivated by Buckingham’s guitar work, which would soon lead to a pivotal collaboration.
Fleetwood Mac: A Journey Through Turmoil and Triumph
In the wake of guitarist Bob Welch’s departure from Fleetwood Mac, the band found itself in need of new talent. Band leader Mick Fleetwood recalled the impressive work of Lindsey Buckingham and arranged a meeting. Buckingham, however, was only willing to join if his partner, Stevie Nicks, was also invited. Fleetwood consented, and in 1975, Nicks and Buckingham officially joined Fleetwood Mac.
The newly formed lineup quickly recorded their self-titled album, which achieved remarkable success, selling 500,000 copies by December 1975 and reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart the following fall. Nicks’ contributions, particularly the enchanting tracks “Rhiannon” and the poignant ballad “Landslide,” propelled her to stardom. Their live performances showcased Nicks’ signature flowing attire and captivating stage presence.
As the band began recording their second album in 1976, personal challenges began to take a toll. The demands of touring strained Nicks’ voice, prompting her to seek medical assistance. Concurrently, the band faced significant emotional turmoil, with multiple romantic relationships fracturing: Christine and John McVie divorced, Fleetwood separated from his wife, and Nicks and Buckingham navigated a tumultuous breakup.
Despite these difficulties, the band pressed on, leading to the release of Rumours in 1977. The album shattered records, spending 31 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, achieving platinum status in both the United States and the U.K., and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978. Nicks’ “Dreams,” which drew inspiration from the group’s unraveling relationships, became the band’s only No. 1 single.
Today, Rumours stands as Fleetwood Mac’s most successful album, with over 21 million copies sold. The track “Dreams” experienced a resurgence in popularity following a viral TikTok video in September 2020, re-entering the Billboard Hot 100 the following month for the first time in over four decades.
Fleetwood Mac: A Journey Through Turmoil and Triumph
In the wake of guitarist Bob Welch’s departure from Fleetwood Mac, the band found itself in need of new talent. Band leader Mick Fleetwood recalled the impressive work of Lindsey Buckingham and arranged a meeting. Buckingham, however, was only willing to join if his partner, Stevie Nicks, was also invited. Fleetwood consented, and in 1975, Nicks and Buckingham officially joined Fleetwood Mac.
The newly formed lineup quickly recorded their self-titled album, which achieved remarkable success, selling 500,000 copies by December 1975 and reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart the following fall. Nicks’ contributions, particularly the enchanting tracks “Rhiannon” and the poignant ballad “Landslide,” propelled her to stardom. Their live performances showcased Nicks’ signature flowing attire and captivating stage presence.
As the band began recording their second album in 1976, personal challenges began to take a toll. The demands of touring strained Nicks’ voice, prompting her to seek medical assistance. Concurrently, the band faced significant emotional turmoil, with multiple romantic relationships fracturing: Christine and John McVie divorced, Fleetwood separated from his wife, and Nicks and Buckingham navigated a tumultuous breakup.
Despite these difficulties, the band pressed on, leading to the release of Rumours in 1977. The album shattered records, spending 31 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, achieving platinum status in both the United States and the U.K., and winning the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978. Nicks’ “Dreams,” which drew inspiration from the group’s unraveling relationships, became the band’s only No. 1 single.
Today, Rumours stands as Fleetwood Mac’s most successful album, with over 21 million copies sold. The track “Dreams” experienced a resurgence in popularity following a viral TikTok video in September 2020, re-entering the Billboard Hot 100 the following month for the first time in over four decades.
Addiction Struggles
Despite achieving platinum status, Stevie Nicks’ 1985 solo album, Rock A Little, did not replicate the commercial success of her earlier works. During this period, she began to face significant challenges related to substance abuse, developing a severe cocaine addiction that ultimately resulted in damage to her nasal cartilage. In 1986, Nicks sought help by entering the Betty Ford Clinic for a 28-day rehabilitation program, which successfully addressed her chemical dependence.
However, the following year, under the guidance of a psychiatrist, she was prescribed Klonopin. Although she had moved past her cocaine addiction, Nicks became reliant on the tranquilizer, which affected her throughout much of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite these struggles, she continued to tour and release music, producing independent albums and collaborating with Fleetwood Mac on projects such as The Other Side of the Mirror (1989), Behind the Mask (1990), and a solo compilation titled Timespace (1991).
Detox and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
After years of grappling with addiction, weight gain, and exhaustion, Stevie Nicks successfully completed a detox program in 1993, severing her ties with Klonopin. The following year, she released Street Angel, a solo album that marked a significant step in her recovery. As her health improved and her energy returned, Nicks re-entered the studio to record new material for various soundtracks.
In 1997, Fleetwood Mac reunited, releasing The Dance, which was accompanied by a highly successful tour that grossed $36 million. Nicks also released a boxed set titled Enchanted and contributed two songs to the soundtrack of Practical Magic, the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. That same year, Fleetwood Mac received one of the highest honors in the music industry: induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Recent Years and Latest Work
Stevie Nicks collaborated with rocker Sheryl Crow on Nicks’ 2001 solo album, Trouble in Shangri-La. In 2003, she also released a new album with Fleetwood Mac, titled Say You Will. Since then, Nicks has continued to record and perform both as a solo artist and as a member of Fleetwood Mac. Unfortunately, part of the band’s 2013 tour was canceled due to the ill health of John McVie. In 2014, Nicks released 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault, which featured reimagined versions of demos recorded decades earlier. That same year, she served as an adviser for Adam Levine’s team on the singing competition show The Voice and made appearances in two episodes of the cable drama American Horror Story.
In 2018, Nicks prepared to join Fleetwood Mac for a new tour, though this tour proceeded without her former flame and longtime bandmate, Lindsey Buckingham. Nicks was recognized for her contributions as a solo artist when she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 by Harry Styles, becoming the first woman to be a two-time inductee. She performed at the induction ceremony, further solidifying her legacy in music.
Comments on Daisy Jones & the Six
In March 2023, Amazon Prime premiered Daisy Jones & the Six, a series adapted from Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel about a fictional 1970s rock band, which Reid noted was partially inspired by Fleetwood Mac. The series, starring Riley Keough, quickly garnered acclaim and received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Limited/Anthology Series.
Months later, Nicks shared her thoughts on the series in an August social media post after watching it twice. She reflected, “In the beginning, it wasn’t really my story, but Riley seamlessly, soon became my story. It brought back memories that made me feel like a ghost watching my own story.” Nicks described the experience as deeply emotional and expressed a heartfelt wish that her former bandmate Christine McVie, who passed away in November 2022, could have witnessed it.