Singer reveals the impact of drug addiction
Stevie Nicks has revealed that her addiction to tranquilizers played a part in her former boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham’s decision to quit Fleetwood Mac.
This year sees the band heading out on tour again, with their seminal album Rumours already having been re-released. The original lineup surprised some when they reunited in 1997, but apparently it was guitarist Lindsey Buckingham who had been reluctant before then.
Buckingham left the band after they released the relatively successful Tango In The Night, and says himself it was down to his desire to work on solo albums.
But Stevie Nicks suggests his departure had something to do with her addiction and Buckingham’s concern for her health.
“I went into rehab on December 12th, 1993 and came out on the 27th of January – 47 days to come off Klonopin. I nearly died,” she tells Rolling Stone.
“And I think one of the reasons that Lindsey left is because I was very, very high on this horrific tranquilizer. I didn’t even make it to most of the recording sessions for Tango In The Night. I was sick.
“And I think he was horribly worried that I was going to die.”
After her stint in rehab Nicks went on to complete a three month tour and says that after that she felt the people around her were reassured that she was going to be OK.
“I was going to be OK, and everyone knew I was going to be OK. And I think that’s when Lindsey thought Fleetwood Mac could go on, because his beloved ex-girlfriend was not going to die. She was going to make it.”
There had been speculation that Fleetwood Mac would be performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival as the dates had been left conspicuously clear at the end of their North American tour.
But it apparently is not to be, with new dates announced which rule out the possibility.
The band will, however, be visiting the UK in the autumn — in either September or October — to play a series of shows.
Their seminal album Rumours is also on course to re-enter the UK Albums Chart this weekend, nearly 36 years after its initial release in February 1977.
Adam Tait / Gigwise / Wednesday, January 30, 2013
