Tuesday May 26 was Stevie Nicks’ 67th birthday. In honor of that milestone, let me take you all back to 1976.
Here is her first appearance ever on television with Fleetwood Mac. They’re doing Rhiannon on the Midnight Special.
Remember, this is a year before their Rumours album was released and became the monster hit that we knew and loved.
And owned.
(Rumours remained the number one album on the 1977 charts for 31 weeks. It charted four number one hits, and to date, it has sold over 45 million copies, making it the sixth-highest-selling album of ALL time.)
But when this performance aired, most people had never seen Stevie- or Lindsay Buckingham who had just joined the band, as well.
Just imagine you had never heard Stevie’s sultry, raspy, keening, sensuous voice before. Or glimpsed that angelic face. Or that Farrah Fawcett hair. Or that black, bewitching chiffon-y shawl.
Or never caught the steamy, provocative glances between Stevie and hot-licks guitarist Lindsay.
Or heard darling Christine McVie’s haunting keyboards. Or John McVie’s driving bass guitar.
Pretend you had never even noticed that cowbell waiting to be clanged on Mick Fleetwood’s drum kit.
Or imagine that you had never experienced a “power twirl” in front of a mic stand before.
Here you go.
I’ll let Helen Reddy do the honours.
It’s 1976 all over again.
Get ready to get lost in the drugs, sex and rock and roll of Fleetwood Mac.
(Even if it is early on Sunday morning.)
“Dreams unwind. Love’s a state of mind.”
And I love you.
Happy birthday, Stevie.
Ellen, ever since reading your post, I just can’t stop thinking about tomorrow … or, for that matter, about yesterday … when all my troubles were so far away.
True (but somewhat sad) side note. On the occasion of going Down Under for my son’s wedding to a Sheila in August 2013, we noted large billboards promoting upcoming concerts by Fleetwood Mac. However, due to John McVie’s illness, the tour was cancelled. However, last I heard (like googling 2 minutes ago), Stevie Nicks says “…he’s gonna be fine.” Click here if you want to buy tickets for their 2015 tour.
Thank you for this very personal, informative and helpful comment, Mr. Jam Productions. I didn’t realize that, among your varied talents, you are a tour promoter. Right on.
Waking to the news of the death of Vice President Joe Biden’s son as a result of brain cancer, the story of Stevie Nicks and the video performance of Rhiannon displaying her power and passion ftom that great 60s series The Midnight Special was a welcome respite.
Although I’ve never closely followed rock music, my eye having leaned in the direction of Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck, the raw power, passion, originality and genuineness of the music of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac was a delight to hear again. It is far removed from what is played today and considered popular music. I am lucky to have been a contemporary of Stevie Nicks.
Rock on — and far out!!
Thanks, Jack. Glad that Stevie and Company could be of help this morning. Peace.
Glad to see that a younger generation {ahem) had some good taste compared to that garbage that is offered today. I’m assuming that you had the good fortune to have had parents that were raised to appreciate the great american song book and passed it to their children. Allan.
My father loved the greats: Porter, Gershwin, Frank Loesser, Harold Arlen, Rogers and Hart, Johnny Mercer, all the big bands and music with a Latin beat. I cover everything from Bunny Berigan to Kanye. Thanks, buddy.