The very cool, very enigmatic Stevie Nicks is known for her trademark voice and symbolic lyrics. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 with her then boyfriend, Lindsey Buckingham, then launched her solo career in 1981. This is a woman of talent and she has been a source of inspiration for many artists. Here are some facts about Stevie you may or may not have known.
1. Her Grandfather Was A Country Singer
Stevie’s grandfather, A.J. Nicks, wanted to take her on tour with him when she was just 5. A.J. Nicks sang country music, helping his granddaughter into music as her first influence. He brought her records when she was a kid and encouraging her to sing harmonies.
2. She Moved Constantly As A Kid
Thanks to her father’s career as a corporate executive, Stevie grew up in financial comfort. However, she was forced to move around a lot. During her childhood, she spent time living in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Her dad was a busy man.
3. She’s A Dog Lover
Nicks has a soft spot for furry friends. She’s had several dogs over the years, including her dearly departed dog Sulamith and her current pup, Lily. She may be a rock icon but dogs make her smile.
4. She’s Spent A Lot Of Time Visiting Wounded Veterans
One of Nicks’ great passions is spending time with wounded soldiers. She’s been doing it regularly since at least 2006. She holds the USO record for most hours spent visiting combat-wounded service members over a five-year span.
5. She Wrote Her First Song At 15
The song was called “I’ve Loved and I’ve Lost” and it was about a friend named Steve, who she was madly in love with. Nicks has always been a prolific songwriter, and she got her start as a teenager.
6. Songwriting Inspiration Hits Her Constantly
Nicks has said that witnessing romantic moments or watching powerful movies really does it for her. The inspiration to write a song happens all the time. She could be sitting in a parking lot, see a couple walk by and see their fingers gently touch and that would do it for Stevie.
7. A Serious Drug Habit
The singer and all of her bandmates used cocaine often in the band’s 1970s heyday. Nicks certainly played her part in Fleetwood Mac’s notorious image. Nicks kicked the habit after rehab but estimates that she spent at least $1 million on cocaine in her lifetime.
8. Making History In The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame
Nicks was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998. In 2019, she was inducted again as a solo artist. This made Nicks the first woman to ever be inducted into the Hall as a member of a group and for her own solo career.
9. She Officiated Vanessa Carlton’s Wedding
Nicks has taken center stage at a friend’s wedding. When singer Vanessa Carlton got married in 2013, Nicks officiated the wedding and even signed the wedding license afterward. Now that’s pretty cool.
10. She Played A Witch On TV
Nicks made her acting debut in 2014 as part of FX’s “American Horror Story: Coven”. In the show, Nicks played a fictional (?) version of herself who happens to be a sorceress. Nicks appeared in two episodes that season and again in 2018’s “American Horror Story: Apocalypse.”
11. She Has A Signature Dip Recipe
A book called “Rock ‘n’ Roll Cuisine” collected recipes from various rock stars. Several members of Fleetwood Mac contributed dishes. Stevie’s contribution was for Fleetwood Mac Fiesta Dip. The dish includes refried beans, taco seasoning, sour cream and other ingredients.
12. She Dated Several Music Icons
Nicks has had many famous boyfriends over the years. She’s dated Jimmy Iovine, Don Henley, Dave Stewart and Joe Walsh at various times. Even her bandmates Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood were once her boyfriends.
13. A Great Friendship With Tom Petty
Nicks and Tom Petty were never romantically linked. They were great friends who worked together several times. In the 1980s, she recorded a series of duets with Petty, including 1981’s “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,” which was a massive hit. Petty once told Nicks she was considered the only woman ever to be part of his band.
14. She Doesn’t Want To Do Another Fleetwood Mac Album
Nicks is still a member of the iconic band and has said she enjoys touring with them. Recording is a different matter to her. In 2017, she told Rolling Stone that it would be too expensive and probably wouldn’t sell because of changes in how music is consumed these days. She has a point.
15. She Was Almost Banned From Australia
In 1986, she flew to Australia simply to ride along with pals Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. During one tour stop, the rockers invited Nicks onstage and, of course, she obliged. The impromptu performance violated the terms of her tourist visa. Australian authorities told her she’d never be allowed back into the country if she did it again.
16. She’ll Never Retire
Despite turning 70 back in 2018, Nicks says she’ll never quit entertaining. She told Rolling Stone that she believes, “When you retire, you just get small.” She wants to continue doing music and working in television which is very good news for her fans.
17. One Thing Is ‘Crucial’ In Her Bedroom
Stevie Nicks’ bedroom could possibly have mystical books, tapestries and beads with incense burning 24/7. But she has said the most important thing in the bedroom are the sheets.
18. Performing Helped Her Through Menopause
In 2011, when she was 62, Nicks told The Guardian that going through menopause was difficult for her, saying that, “Rock and the menopause do not mix”. She added that performing helps relieve the pain from cramps. “So you feel great for those two hours,” she said. “And when I come offstage, then I can burst into tears.”
19. She’s Pretty New To Instagram
Instagram has been around since 2010 but Nicks didn’t join the platform until 2018. She posted her first image to the social media site on Aug. 27, 2018, with an image teasing her return to “American Horror Story.” She now has 916,000 followers.
20. She’s Self-Conscious About Her Looks
In 2011, the singer said she didn’t want to appear on TV’s “Glee” because she was worried she’d look too old. She reportedly said the lighting would have to be perfect and she’d have to appear 40, despite being 62 at the time. Stevie Nicks is human after all.
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