The album Stevie Nicks said would “make me or break me”
Music is the primary thought that occupies Stevie Nicks‘ mind from the moment she wakes until she lays her head on the pillow at night. It’s provided her with a vehicle for her creativity, resulting in a beloved catalogue of songs that have enriched the world. However, for several years, Nicks’ profession took a back seat due to addiction problems.
While the regular use of cocaine in Fleetwood Mac during their Rumours era is far from a state secret, Nicks was still able to produce music of the highest quality and didn’t allow her hedonistic streak to negatively affect her artistry. However, Nicks knew deep down that it could be potentially life-threatening and had witnessed far too many rock ‘n’ roll tragedies to ignore the possible consequences of excessive drug consumption.
However, it was a long road to recovery for Nicks, and her drug use became even more out of control during the 1980s before she first implemented measures to stop it. Yet, turning off the tap proved to be more difficult than anticipated, and the challenge she faced on the way was a mightier task than Nicks could have possibly foreseen.
Nicks was desperate and willing to do anything to get clean. Therefore, when a doctor prescribed her Klonopin, which is a drug used to reduce anxiety, to stop her from using cocaine, Nicks happily obliged, which was a decision that not only led to a crippling addiction but also put her career on the back burner.
During the cocaine years, Nicks was still able to focus on creating and performing music, which wasn’t possible with Klonopin. She once reflected on The Chris Isaak Hour, “Klonopin was worse than the cocaine. I lost those eight years of my life. I didn’t write, and I had gained so much weight.”
Furthermore, she also named this eight-year period as the biggest regret of her life. Thankfully, Nicks managed to reach the light at the end of the tunnel and again poured her energy into rejuvenating her solo career with the 2001 album Trouble in Shangri-La.
The record marked her first release since 1994, which was due to her addiction woes and the small matter of an unexpected Fleetwood Mac reunion and global tour. However, Nicks was determined to finish the record and remind the world that she still had plenty to offer as an artist. It was more than just another solo album; it was a message of intent.
Prior to the release, the Fleetwood Mac singer told Rolling Stone in 2001: “Well, I knew that this record would either make me or break me. I figured if I could do an album that the world loved after being addicted to that Klonopin stuff for eight years, and just having that be such a black hole, that I would be back on my way. That’s kind of how I feel. And the Fleetwood Mac reunion just slipped in there.”
Furthermore, Nicks also credited the Fleetwood Mac tour as a key reason for her completing Trouble in Shangri-La, claiming that she “regained my power” during the run of dates and was “really ready to finish this record” upon returning home from the road.
Trouble in Shangri-La was a return to form for Nicks, who was back to her best. As a result, it was her highest-charting album in almost 20 years. She had finally waved goodbye to her demons and was back fulfilling her artistic duty to the world.
