Photo via Mouthy Mag
Digging back into some of my earliest memories, I recall one powerful voice that, even as a young child, resulted in an almost immediate emotional response every single time I heard it. I grew up listening to the classic rock my parents had come of age to and enjoyed almost all of it (and still do to this day) but when I saw the Fleetwood Mac cassette come out of its case or caught one of their songs while flipping through the radio stations, I remember getting chills and feeling over the moon because there was just something about Stevie Nicks.
Don’t get me wrong – the rest of the band wins me over, too (man, can the beautiful and powerful Christine McVie’s voice move anyone to tears), but Stevie has always held a special place in my heart. My mom also owned a couple of her solo albums (Bella Donna, Rock a Little, Trouble in Shangri-La) so I got an extra fill.
Additionally, Tom Petty is and always will be my all time favorite artist and if you haven’t heard the magic that’s created when he and Stevie work together, you’re missing out on musical gold.
As I got older, I learned a little more about her history. She didn’t escape the temptations and pressures that permeated the 1970s and 1980s rock and roll scene unscathed, and battled addiction. But she refused to let it break her and worked hard to regain her health and mindset. Now, at 67-years-old, she has the strength and passion to continue touring the world.
I had the opportunity to see Fleetwood Mac live last fall in Indianapolis and, while they certainly don’t sound like they did on Rumors in 1977, it was hands down one of the most surreal and memorable performances I’ve ever seen.
Stevie took a few moments between songs to give the crowd a “pep talk” at one point, and it included a lot of thoughts and wisdom I needed to hear at this stage in my life. I continue to think about those words often and they inspire me even a year later.
Photo via Shelby Robinson Creative
Plus, the woman’s got style and she always has. I could spend hours upon hours sifting through old photos of her and wishing I could pull off her effortless bohemian look as well as she does.
Musician. Poet. Survivor. Motivational speaker. Fashion icon. Keep doing you, Stevie!
xo, Aly