Kindred Souls: Stevie Nicks on how Sheryl Crow was like “the little sister I never had”
Beyond her obvious talents, Stevie Nicks has always had a way of drawing people in, like long-lost members of the family. When she first met Christine McVie, for instance, they clicked immediately—an instant connection that helped pave the way for Nicks to join the band. She has always carried a natural, unforced charm, the kind that makes her feel like she sees right through to the soul.
Perhaps one of the more intriguing aspects of this appeal is that it’s not always easy to describe. However, most of the best or most legendary musicians in history have always had a more unsuspecting or indescribable warmth or uniqueness, and Nicks is no different. From the start, she endeared herself to people with the beauty of her personality, even though she could have gotten by on talent alone.
While Nicks has likely never seen or observed the quality in herself and instead experiences varying degrees of imposter syndrome, this effortless ability to connect with others has enabled her to enjoy her found family. She surrounds herself with musicians and individuals who don’t always necessarily share her artistic vision but instead understand the songs of her heart. In her eyes, that’s all that matters.
McVie was undeniably one of Nicks’s soul sisters from day one, with a connection sparked the moment they made introductions. The same happened when Nicks first met Harry Styles, a fated friendship that later led to her describing him as “Mick [Fleetwood]’s and my love child”. Journeying through life picking up unrelated family members also led her to Sheryl Crow, who she said was like “the little sister I never had“.
Nicks and Crow worked together for some tracks on Trouble in Shangri-La, including one that was rejected for Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk record called ‘Sorcerer’. Discussing her relationship with the singer for MusicRadar, Nicks said: “She’s like the little sister I never had. I can’t pull anything with Sheryl, nor her with me. Also, I can give her advice because I’ve already gone through everything she could possibly think of going through.”
Nicks has always seemed somewhat protective of Crow, especially when it comes to other opinions. She even once said that Crow would have had an even more successful career had she been born in a different era and supported her when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, arguing that it’s an incredible feat to join “a very elite club for us women”.
Perhaps this is what endears her to others in the first place—her ability to see people who have worked hard to achieve their success, especially women. After all, Nicks has lived through several eras and varying degrees of progression and regression, so she already knows the contexts of those who have made it around her. As a result, she continues to push and challenge expectations, embodying the very thing she sets out to celebrate herself.
