Queens of Vinyl is a series where we will explore the sounds, styles, and impact of some of the most incredible and influential female artists ever pressed to vinyl.
This week: Stevie Nicks.
Rolling Stone once named her the “Queen of Rock and Roll.” She has sold over 140 million albums. She is Stevie Nicks. Joining up with Fleetwood Mac in 1974 she would go on to become one of the most iconic women in the music industry. With 8 Grammy nominations on her own and 5 with Fleetwood Mac, it is hard to argue that Nicks is not one of the most powerful artists amongst our Queens of Vinyl.
When Lindsey Buckingham was offered the guitar position in Fleetwood Mac, he made it clear that he wouldn’t come with out his girlfriend, Nicks. With the success of the 1975 album Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began to create the visual style she would use on stage for the rest of her career with flowing clothes, platform boots and a soulful voice that would define the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s.
She would continue on with Fleetwood Mac to further success with Rumours where she wrote the song “Dreams” that marked the beginning of her journey into becoming a self sustained queen of rock.
In 1981 she “broke the chain” with Fleetwood Mac in order to produce Bella Donna, which was met with critical success and solidified her position as a solo artist. With continued success, both on her own and with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks rocked out the ‘70s and ‘80s with pure style.
Through rocky roads and disputes within the band, Stevie Nicks has persevered through it all. She has suffered drug addictions and changing times, but even in 2011, Stevie Nicks is still a rock and roll queen. She even rekindled the spirit with Fleetwood Mac in 2003 to release Say You Will.
From 2000 until today, Nicks has continued to sell out shows and put on incredible performances. In 2007 she came to Chicago to record a live concert DVD for PBS’s Soundstage called Live in Chicago, and the accompanying CD, The Soundstage Session.
On May 3, 2011 Nicks latest album In Your Dreams was released to great praise, with some even calling it the best album of her solo career. It produced the single “Secret Love” and has been a huge critical success. She is currently on a tour that kicked off August 9 in Denver CO and hits Chicago tomorrow, August 23rd at the Rosemont Theatre. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster.
From past to present there is no doubt in our minds why Stevie Nicks is a genuine Queen of Vinyl. She has been gracing the vinyl world since the 1970s with amazing records. She has produced solo albums that chill you to the bone and rock albums that will make the laziest man jump up and rock. When you dig through your local record store bins and come across Ms. Nicks (whether it be with Fleetwood Mac or solo), pick it up, dust it off, drop the needle and let her soulful voice drift right into your dreams…
