Stevie Nicks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stevie Nicks
Nicks performing in 2017
Born	Stephanie Lynn Nicks (1948-05-26) May 26, 1948 (age 77) Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Alma mater	San Jose State University
Occupation	Singer songwriter
Years active	1966–present
Spouse(s)	Kim Anderson ​ ​ (m. 1983; div. 1983)​
Partner(s)	Lindsey Buckingham (1972–1976) Don Henley (1977–1978) Joe Walsh (1983–1986) Mick Fleetwood (1977–1979)
Musical career
Genres	Rock pop folk
Instruments	Vocals tambourine
Labels	Atlantic Modern Reprise WEA Warner Bros.
Signature

Stephanie Lynn Nicks (born May 26, 1948), known as Stevie Nicks, is an American singer and songwriter. She is famous for her work with the band Fleetwood Mac and for her successful solo career.

Stevie Nicks started her music journey as a duo with her boyfriend, Lindsey Buckingham. They released an album called Buckingham Nicks, but it didn't become very popular. In 1975, Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac. With her help, the band became one of the best-selling music groups ever, selling over 120 million records worldwide.

Rumours, Fleetwood Mac's second album with Nicks, became one of the best-selling albums globally. It sold so many copies that it was certified 20 times platinum in the U.S. In 1981, while still with Fleetwood Mac, Nicks began her solo career. Her first solo album, Bella Donna, went straight to number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold millions of copies.

Stevie Nicks has released eight solo studio albums and seven with Fleetwood Mac. She has sold a certified total of 65 million copies in the U.S. alone. After her first solo album, Rolling Stone magazine called her the "Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll." Rolling Stone also named her one of the 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Some of her most famous songs with Fleetwood Mac include "Landslide", "Rhiannon", and "Dreams." "Dreams" was the band's only number-one hit in the U.S. Her solo hit "Edge of Seventeen" is also very popular. All these songs are on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Stevie Nicks is the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. She was inducted as a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019. She has received many awards with Fleetwood Mac, including a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978 for Rumours.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Stephanie Lynn Nicks was born on May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona. Her parents were Jess and Barbara Nicks. Her grandfather, Aaron Jess "A.J." Nicks Sr., taught her to sing duets when she was just four years old. Stevie's mother loved fairy tales and shared this love with her daughter.

When she was a toddler, Stephanie couldn't say her name clearly. She would say "tee-dee," which led to her nickname "Stevie." Her father's job meant the family moved often, living in places like Phoenix, Albuquerque, and Los Angeles.

For her 16th birthday, Stevie received a Goya guitar. With it, she wrote her first song, "I've Loved and I've Lost, and I'm Sad but Not Blue." She spent her teenage years listening to music and living in her "own little musical world."

While attending high school in California, she joined her first band, the Changing Times. It was a folk rock band that focused on singing harmonies.

Stevie Nicks met Lindsey Buckingham, who would become her musical and romantic partner, during her senior year of high school. She saw him playing a song and joined in with her voice. She thought he was "darling." Buckingham was in a band called Fritz, and he asked Nicks to join them in 1967. Fritz later opened for famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Nicks says these artists inspired her stage performances.

Nicks and Buckingham both attended San Jose State University. Nicks studied speech communication and planned to become an English teacher. However, with her father's support, she left college to pursue a music career with Buckingham.

Joining Fleetwood Mac

After their band Fritz broke up in 1972, Nicks and Buckingham continued to write songs together. They recorded demo tapes at night. They eventually signed a deal with Polydor Records and released their album Buckingham Nicks in 1973. The album did not sell well, and Polydor Records ended their contract.

Without much money from their music, Nicks took on several jobs, like waiting tables. During this time, Nicks wrote "Rhiannon" after seeing the name in a book. She also wrote "Landslide," which was inspired by the scenery of Aspen and her changing relationship with Buckingham.

In late 1974, a producer played one of Buckingham Nicks' songs for Mick Fleetwood, the drummer for Fleetwood Mac. Fleetwood was looking for a new guitarist. He remembered Buckingham's guitar playing and invited him to join the band. Buckingham said he would only join if Nicks could come too, as they were a "package deal." The band agreed, feeling that adding both of them would make Fleetwood Mac even better. Their first rehearsals showed that their voices added a new, popular sound to the band's blues-rock style.

Nicks in 1977

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac became very successful with their album Fleetwood Mac. Nicks' song "Rhiannon" was named one of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone. Her live performances of the song were very powerful. "Landslide" also became a hit from the album.

Stevie Nicks started working with a clothing designer to create her unique stage look. Her costumes had a bohemian style with flowing skirts, shawls, and platform boots.

While Nicks and Buckingham were successful professionally, their personal relationship ended. Fleetwood Mac began recording their next album, Rumours, in early 1976.

One of Nicks' contributions to Rumours was "Dreams," which became the band's only number-one hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Nicks also wrote "Silver Springs," but it was not included on the album at first. It was later released as a B-side. "Silver Springs" was about her relationship with Buckingham.

Rumours was the best-selling album of 1977. By 2017, it had sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. The album stayed at number one on the American charts for 31 weeks and won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1978.

Nicks performing in 1980

After the huge success of Rumours, Fleetwood Mac started working on their third album with Nicks and Buckingham, Tusk, in 1978. Nicks had many songs she wanted to record, but each album had to include songs from three different songwriters. Tusk was released in 1979.

Solo Career Highlights

Stevie Nicks started writing and recording songs for her own solo project in 1979. She, along with Danny Goldberg and Paul Fishkin, created Modern Records to release her music.

Nicks' first solo album, Bella Donna, was released on July 27, 1981. It was very popular and reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart. Four songs from the album became hits. Rolling Stone magazine called her "the Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll."

The day Bella Donna reached number one, Nicks learned her friend Robin Anderson had a serious illness. Robin had a baby and asked Nicks to be the child's godmother. Nicks later married Robin's widower, Kim Anderson, to help care for the baby. They divorced three months later.

Bella Donna also introduced Nicks' permanent back-up singers, Sharon Celani and Lori Perry (now Nicks), who have sung on all her solo albums since. In November 1981, Nicks began her White Winged Dove tour.

Nicks released her second solo album, The Wild Heart, on June 10, 1983. This album also sold millions of copies and reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart. It included three hit singles.

Nicks performed at the US Festival in California and toured the U.S. from June to November 1983. She also appeared on Saturday Night Live.

After her tour for The Wild Heart, Nicks started working on her third solo album. It was eventually titled Rock a Little and released on November 18, 1985. It was also a commercial success with three popular singles. Nicks toured for Rock a Little until October 1986.

During this time, Nicks focused on her health. She checked into a center to get help. She later said that seeing how other famous musicians faced challenges made her want to make better choices for herself.

In late 1985, Fleetwood Mac began working on Tango in the Night. Nicks sent the band demos of her songs to work on. The album was released in April 1987 and became the band's second-highest selling album, after Rumours.

Differences within the band led Lindsey Buckingham to leave before their world tour. Nicks and Buckingham had a disagreement about his decision. The band continued the tour with new members. Tango in the Night was very successful and was followed by Fleetwood Mac's Greatest Hits album in 1988.

Also in 1988, Nicks started working on her fourth solo album, The Other Side of the Mirror, which was released in 1989 and was commercially successful. Nicks toured the U.S. and Europe to support the album.

In 1989, Nicks worked with Fleetwood Mac on Behind the Mask, released in 1990. The band went on a world tour to promote the album. After the tour, Nicks left the group due to a disagreement about releasing her song "Silver Springs" on her solo album.

Later Career and Reunions

On the 10th anniversary of her solo career, Nicks released Timespace: The Best of Stevie Nicks in 1991. The next year, Fleetwood Mac also released a four-disc box set, 25 Years – The Chain, which included "Silver Springs."

During the 1992 U.S. presidential campaign, Bill Clinton used the Fleetwood Mac hit "Don't Stop" as his campaign song. Nicks rejoined the classic Rumours lineup of the band (including Buckingham) to perform the song at Clinton's 1993 inaugural celebration.

In 1996, Lindsey Buckingham started working on a solo album and asked Mick Fleetwood and John McVie for help. This led to a reunion of the entire band. Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac for The Dance, a very successful tour in 1997. This tour celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Rumours album. Before the tour, Nicks worked with a voice coach to strengthen her voice.

The band's live CD The Dance was very popular. The Dance earned the group several Grammy nominations. In 1998, Nicks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group.

Nicks put her new solo album on hold to release a collection of her solo songs. The box set Enchanted was released in 1998. Nicks supported the box set with a successful U.S. tour.

Nicks began writing for Trouble in Shangri-La in 1994 and 1995. She worked with other artists like Sheryl Crow on the album. Released on May 1, 2001, Trouble in Shangri-La brought Nicks' solo career back to critical and commercial success. "Planets of the Universe" was nominated for a Grammy Award. Nicks made several television appearances to promote the album and toured to support it.

Nicks during Fleetwood Mac's 2003 tour

In 2001, Fleetwood Mac started working on a new studio album, Say You Will, which was released in April 2003. Nicks joined the group for a world tour to support the album.

On March 27, 2007, Reprise Records released Crystal Visions – The Very Best of Stevie Nicks. This album included her hit singles and a new live track. A deluxe version came with a DVD featuring her music videos. A tour with Chris Isaak supported the release.

Nicks in June 2008

On March 31, 2009, Nicks released the album The Soundstage Sessions. In late 2008, Fleetwood Mac announced a tour for 2009 called "Unleashed," featuring their greatest hits.

Nicks performing with Dave Stewart in November 2011

After the "Unleashed" tour, Nicks began working on her first solo album in ten years with David A. Stewart of Eurythmics. On January 13, 2011, Reprise announced Nicks' album In Your Dreams would be released on May 3. The lead single, "Secret Love", was released on February 8. Nicks originally wrote "Secret Love" in 1976. A documentary film was made for the album, directed by Stewart.

In Your Dreams was well-received by music critics. Rolling Stone said it was her "finest collection of songs since the Eighties." The album debuted at number six on the Billboard 200 chart. The same day, the TV show Glee aired an episode featuring six songs from Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album, including Nicks' "Dreams." This sparked new interest in Rumours, which re-entered the Billboard 200 chart.

In 2013, Fleetwood Mac toured again. On April 30, the band released new music, an EP called Extended Play.

Nicks performing with her band at the Frank Erwin Center on her 24 Karat Gold Tour in March 2017

In 2014, Nicks appeared on the TV series American Horror Story as a fictional version of herself, a "white witch." She performed several of her songs on the show. In May 2014, Nicks received a BMI Icon Award. In July 2014, she joined The Voice as an adviser for Adam Levine's team.

In September 2014, Nicks released her eighth studio album, 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault, which reached number seven on the Billboard 200. She also began a North American tour with Fleetwood Mac, now reunited with Christine McVie.

Throughout 2016 and 2017, Nicks toured with The Pretenders on the 24 Karat Gold Tour. In 2017, Nicks was featured on a song called "Beautiful People Beautiful Problems" from Lana Del Rey's album Lust for Life.

In April 2018, Lindsey Buckingham left Fleetwood Mac. Nicks helped find his replacements, Mike Campbell and Neil Finn. This new lineup went on a world tour in 2018–2019.

In April 2019, Nicks was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, making her the first woman to be inducted twice. In September 2020, Nicks released a live album and concert film from her 24 Karat Gold Tour. On October 9, 2020, she released her first new song in six years, "Show Them the Way."

In December 2020, a music publishing company bought a large part of Nicks' song catalog. In August 2021, Nicks canceled her solo appearances due to health concerns. Nicks appeared on the 2023 Gorillaz album Cracker Island and sang with Dolly Parton on her Rockstar album.

On September 27, 2024, Nicks released a new song called "The Lighthouse" to promote women's rights. She also appeared on a charity Christmas album in November 2024.

Artistic Style

Nicks performing in 1977

Stevie Nicks is 5 feet 1 inch tall. She often wore 6-inch (15 cm) platform boots to feel taller next to Mick Fleetwood, who is 6 feet 6 inches. Over the years, Nicks developed her signature style, which she calls her "uniform." It includes flowing, sheer clothes, boots, and shawls.

Nicks has said that her singing style and stage presence were inspired by singers like Grace Slick and Janis Joplin. She saw Joplin perform live and was very inspired. Nicks has a deep, rich singing voice, described as "gruff" and "feathery." She often decorates her microphone stand with roses, ribbons, and scarves.

Helping Others

Nicks started a charity foundation called "Stevie Nicks's Band of Soldiers." This foundation helps wounded military personnel.

In late 2004, Nicks began visiting military hospitals. She wanted to give something to the soldiers that would cheer them up. She decided to buy hundreds of iPod Nanos, load them with music she chose, and sign them. She calls them "soldier's iPods." She regularly delivers these gifts, sometimes bringing friends like Mick Fleetwood to share the experience.

Fashion Influence

Nicks' style has stayed consistent throughout her career. Her flowing clothes and shawls have influenced many fans.

In the late 1970s, Nicks received letters accusing her of being a witch. This scared her, so she stopped wearing black clothes for a while, choosing colors like apricot and sea foam green instead. She later said she felt uncomfortable in the new colors and went back to wearing black in 1983.

Nicks sings about a store called the Velvet Underground in her song "Gypsy." This boutique in San Francisco was known for being a place where famous rockers like Janis Joplin and Grace Slick shopped.

Legacy and Influence

Many artists have said that Stevie Nicks has influenced their music. These include Beyoncé, Courtney Love, Sheryl Crow, Florence Welch, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Lorde.

The band The Chicks (formerly Dixie Chicks) covered "Landslide," which became a top-10 hit and a number one hit on the Country chart. This cover earned Nicks a BMI Songwriters Award in 2003. Alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins also covered "Landslide."

Other successful covers include the Corrs' "Dreams" and Courtney Love's band Hole with "Gold Dust Woman." Nicks' song "Edge of Seventeen" was sampled in Destiny's Child's 2001 number one single "...licious." Nicks appeared in the music video for "...licious" and praised the song and the group.

On January 31, 2010, Nicks performed with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards. Swift, who considers Nicks one of her childhood heroes, said it was "a fairy tale and an honor to share the stage with Stevie Nicks."

In October 2018, Nicks was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On December 13, 2018, she was announced as one of the inductees for 2019, making her the first woman to be inducted twice.

On April 19, 2024, Taylor Swift mentioned Nicks in her song "Clara Bow" from her album The Tortured Poets Department. Nicks also wrote a poem for the album's liner notes.

Personal Life

Nicks in 1977

Stevie Nicks had relationships with Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley, and Joe Walsh. She referred to Joe Walsh as one of her greatest loves.

Nicks' only marriage was to Kim Anderson, the widower of her best friend Robin Anderson. They married in 1983 after Robin died. Nicks explained that she wanted to care for Robin's baby. They divorced after only three months. Years later, she reconnected with her stepson and helped him through college. In 2020, Nicks said her stepson's daughter calls her "Grandma Stevie."

Nicks has said she chose not to have her own children because of her demanding music career. She feels her purpose was to write songs to help others. She has many nieces, godchildren, and extended family members. She says, "It's much more fun to be the crazy auntie than it is to be the mom, anyway."

Nicks has kept a journal almost every day since she joined Fleetwood Mac. She hopes her family will read them one day to understand her life. She has said she would only write a book if she could tell the full truth about her life and the people in it.

Homes

Until 2007, Nicks lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona. She had built the home in 1981 and shared it with her brother, his wife, and their daughter. She decided to sell the house to focus more on her charity work. The house was sold for $3 million. She also owns a home in Santa Monica, California.

Religion

Nicks became an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church. She officiated the wedding of musician John McCauley and singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton on December 27, 2013.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Bella Donna (1981)
• The Wild Heart (1983)
• Rock a Little (1985)
• The Other Side of the Mirror (1989)
• Street Angel (1994)
• Trouble in Shangri-La (2001)
• In Your Dreams (2011)
• 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault (2014)

With Buckingham Nicks

• Buckingham Nicks (1973)

With Fleetwood Mac

• Fleetwood Mac (1975)
• Rumours (1977)
• Tusk (1979)
• Mirage (1982)
• Tango in the Night (1987)
• Behind the Mask (1990)
• The Dance (1997)
• Say You Will (2003)

Filmography

Tours

Solo tours

• White Winged Dove (Bella Donna) Tour: 1981
• The Wild Heart Tour: 1983
• Rock a Little Tour: 1986
• The Other Side of the Mirror Tour: 1989
• Whole Lotta Trouble (Timespace) Tour: 1991
• Street Angel Tour: 1994
• Enchanted Tour: 1998
• Holiday Millennium Tour: 1999–2000
• Trouble in Shangri-La Tour: 2001
• Two Voices Tour (with Don Henley): 2005
• Gold Dust Tour (on select dates with Vanessa Carlton or John Farnham): 2005–06
• Highway Companion Tour (with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers): 2006
• Crystal Visions Tour: 2007–08
• Soundstage Sessions Tour: 2008
• Heart & Soul Tour (with Rod Stewart): 2011–12
• In Your Dreams Tour: 2011–12
• 24 Karat Gold Tour: 2016–17
• Live in Concert: 2022–25

In October 2005, Nicks attended the Melbourne Cup Week in Australia. One of the horse races was named The Stevie Nicks Plate. She used this opportunity to promote her tour in Australia and New Zealand in 2006. Nicks toured with Australian performer John Farnham. She also performed with Tom Petty in June and at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.

In 2006, Nicks performed with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for part of their tour. Their Homecoming Concert in Gainesville, FL, which included Nicks, was filmed for PBS Soundstage. Nicks was also the featured performer for Bette Midler's benefit event, Hulaween, in October 2006.

In 2008, Nicks went on the Soundstage Sessions tour in the U.S. A video recording of one concert was released in 2009 as Live in Chicago.

Rod Stewart and Nicks co-headlined the Heart & Soul Tour, starting in March 2011. This tour brought the two singers together for concerts across North America.

A solo tour for In Your Dreams began on August 9, 2011. Nicks announced that Michael Grimm would join her on tour. She then continued the tour in Australia and New Zealand with Dave Stewart until December 2011.

Nicks joined Rod Stewart again in 2012 for another part of the Heart & Soul Tour. She also continued her In Your Dreams tour. In 2023, she and Billy Joel performed a series of concerts across the United States. In early 2024, she announced a European part of the tour.

Touring band 2012

• Sharon Celani – backing vocals (1981–present)
• Waddy Wachtel – lead guitar, musical direction (1981–86, 2001–present)
• Lori Nicks – backing vocals (1981–89, 1996, 2007–present)
• Carlos Rios – rhythm guitar (1989–present)
• Al Ortiz – bass (2001–present)
• Jimmy Paxson – drums (2005–present)
• Darrell Smith – keyboards (2005–present)
• Brett Tuggle – keyboards, rhythm guitar (1998–2006, 2012)

Awards and Nominations

Grammy Awards

Solo

Nicks has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards as a solo artist. She holds the record for most nominations for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance without a win.

With Fleetwood Mac

Nicks has been nominated for six Grammy Awards as a member of Fleetwood Mac. She won the 1978 Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Rumours and received the 2003 Grammy Hall of Fame Award.

See also

In Spanish: Stevie Nicks para niños

• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)