Stephanie Nicks, 26 May 1948, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. When Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in January 1975, she not only introduced her talents as a singer and songwriter, but provided a defined focal point during the group's live appearances. A former vocalist with Fritz, a struggling San Francisco band, Nicks moved to Los Angeles with her boyfriend and fellow ex-member Lindsey Buckingham. Together they recorded Buckingham-Nicks, a promising but largely neglected album, at the Second City Studio in Van Nuys. The collection was subsequently used to demonstrate the facilities to Mick Fleetwood. By coincidence both Nicks and Buckingham were in a nearby room and were introduced to the Fleetwood Mac drummer when he showed interest in their work. Within weeks the duo were invited to join his band to replace the departing Bob Welch. Their arrival brought a change in Fleetwood Mac's commercial fortunes. Nicks provided many of their best-known and successful songs, including the atmospheric 'Rhiannon' and the haunting 'Dreams'. The latter was one of several excellent compositions that graced the multi-million-selling Rumours, although the album itself signalled the collapse of two in-house relationships, including that of Buckingham and Nicks. In 1980, following the release of Fleetwood Mac's much-maligned Tusk, the singer began recording a solo album. Bella Donna, released the following year, achieved platinum sales and remained on the Billboard album chart for over two years. It also spawned two US Top 10 singles in 'Stop Draggin' My Heart Around', a duet with Tom Petty and 'Leather And Lace', which featured former Eagles drummer, Don Henley. A second selection, The Wild Heart, followed in 1983 and this bestseller also produced two major hits in 'Stand Back' and 'Nightbird'. Her third album, Rock A Little, was less successful, artistically and commercially, and following its release Nicks entered the Betty Ford Clinic to be treated for drug dependency. She then rejoined Fleetwood Mac for Tango In The Night, which marked the departure of Lindsey Buckingham. Although his absence has created more space within the band's framework, a revitalized Nicks continued her solo activities, as exemplified in 1989's The Other Side Of The Mirror. She rejoined Buckingham in Fleetwood Mac when the Rumours line-up reconvened in 1997.
Stevie Nicks