Stevie Nicks’ five favourite singers
Stevie Nicks has captivated audiences worldwide with her mystical and enchanting music, starting from her early collaborations with Lindsey Buckingham. However, her impact transcends her partnership with Buckingham, as numerous solo tracks have also garnered widespread acclaim and adoration.
While Nicks experienced some success during Fleetwood Mac’s early years, it was the release of the acclaimed Rumours that truly catapulted her to global recognition. The album’s immense success opened doors for Nicks to collaborate with a wide array of artists, ranging from B.B. King to Tom Petty and even present-day pop stars like Miley Cyrus and Harry Styles.
Given her evolution as an artist over the course of her career, it’s hardly unexpected that Nicks draws inspiration from a diverse range of influential figures. Nicks possesses an incredible vocal prowess, a trait she shares with many of her admired artists. She has also collaborated with many of these artists at various points throughout her career.
For instance, her encounter with Natalie Maines of The Chicks occurred in 2002 when the band covered Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’. This led to a memorable opportunity for Nicks and Maines to perform the song together, leaving a profound mark on Nicks. “Natalie Maines is my favourite person to sing with, ever,” Nicks told Oprah Winfrey. “I could happily be a part of the Chicks. Even though they’re billed as country artists, they’re very rock ‘n’ roll.”
During some of her most problematic years, Nicks also sought comfort in Joni Mitchell, particularly during a time when her career was uncertain and her relationships were turbulent. Discussing Mitchell’s 1974 release Court and Spark, she said: “It was one of those albums that I lay on the floor and listened to for three days straight,” adding: “Lindsey and I were coming to the end of our relationship, and I’d met someone else.”
Nicks’ experiences during the vibrant era of the 1960s undoubtedly influenced some of her most beloved compositions, including the work of Crosby, Stills, and Nash, which is one band to whom she claims she is significantly indebted. She discussed their 1969 album’s impact on her ability to sing harmonies, explaining, “I spent a whole summer singing along to this record. I loved the harmonies and learned to sing all three of the parts. I knew that I wanted to be in a band with the same kind of harmonies.”
While talking about her early inspirations in rock music, Nicks also previously disclosed the three musicians she consistently looks to for influence: Alongside Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, she also admitted in a Q&A for SXSW Music that she adopts “a little bit of slinky from Grace Slick,” adding, “Those were the three people who I emulated when I was on stage.”
The singer, of course, also acknowledges the exceptional vocal abilities of her bandmate Christine McVie. Beyond their musical talents, both women courageously confronted sexism within the industry, challenging interviewers and standards that consistently placed them at a disadvantage simply because of their gender.
Stevie Nicks’ favourite singers:
- Joni Mitchell
- Grace Slick
- The Chicks
- Crosby, Stills, and Nash
- Christine McVie
