Stevie Nicks

In 1980, Fleetwood Mac vocalist / songwriter Stevie Nicks entered the studio to record her first solo lp,"Bella Donna". The album was made, according to Stevie, simply as a way to record some of the many songs she had penned,which were not able to be put on a Fleetwood Mac album. In Fleetwood Mac, Stevie had to share album space with the other writers and singers in the band.For Stevie, releasing 3 or 4 songs every two years was simply not enough. Having to wait for the producer she wanted, (Jimmy Iovine),the album was not released until 1981. Jimmy Iovine was working with Tom Petty at the time. Many people thought that this album would consist of "artsy-crafty" type material,and no one suspected that it would propel Stevie into International Stardom. Yet, when the album hit the record stores,it took off like lightening! Including two duets,"Stop Draggin' My Heart Around", written by Tom Petty, and "Leather and Lace",featuring Don Henley of The Eagles, "Bella Donna" showed every one that Stevie Nicks was, indeed, a force to be reckoned with. Then came the rumours that Stevie was leaving Fleetwood Mac,which proved to be un-true. A short tour followed,with Stevie knowing that as soon as the tour concluded, she was right back with Fleetwood Mac. the song "Edge of Seventeen", a haunting tune written about the death of John Lennon, is, to this day, a landmark rock tune,loved by many, and even sampled by Destiny's Child. With the success of the album, Fleetwood Mac were never the same. It became obvious to the band, and to the world, that the true star of Fleetwood Mac was, and is, Stevie Nicks. Stevie went on to release "The Wild Heart","Rock A Little","The Other Side of the Mirror", and many more solo efforts, all to great success and sales. Yet, none of this ever kept her from her role in Fleetwood Mac, who she still holds un-dying loyalty to. Stevie proved that an artist can have a successful solo career, while still maintaining a vital role in the band that gave her her start. Only a handful of artists, of any decade, have been able to pull off such a career. Stevie Nicks, the Goddess of Rock and Roll, showed them all. Today, she continues to record and tour with great aplumb and success.Recently, Stevie released her best of package,"Crystal Visions",and followed it with a highly-successful tour. PBS recorded Stevie live for their Soundstage series,which will be released on dvd in September. Stevie Nicks, is one of the last true stars. For all things Stevie, log on to www.nicksfix.com