When you look up Stevie Nicks on Urban Dictionary you get a list of results ranging from the the silly to the right on point. But in the 46 years since Stevie Nicks — the white witch, the singer/songwriter, the fashion icon, the “hottest older woman on the face of the earth,” and the performer — formed her first band Fritz with Lindsey Buckingham, the Fleetwood Mac singer has not left the cultural conversation. Here are some of the reasons why we love her so.
1. She appeared on American Horror Story.
There have always been rumors that Stevie Nicks was actually involved in witchcraft. And while she’s always denied the allegations, she’s apparently got a sense of humor about them: This year Nicks appeared on the TV show, American Horror Story: Coven where she played herself and was a part of Jessica Lange’s coven.
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2. She’s a fashion icon.
Nicks is the bohemian queen of the long flowing frocks and shawls to match, with her long locks bouncing as she spins around on stage. If she is your spirit animal and you are looking to dress like her, check out Free People to channel your inspiration. Last year she turned 65, and she still chooses to be decked out in knee-high platform black boots, fingerless gloves, and gorgeous dresses. “The Stevie Thing” has been a staple for quite some time now, and it’s refreshing to see that she has stuck with it for all these years.
3. She twirls.
Not much has to be explained for this one; the girl can twirl. If you watched American Horror Story, you got a lesson into how to do the perfect Stevie spin (I may be guilty of giving it a try once or twice myself). This signature move appears many times over the course of a performance or music video. She talked twirling with Vulture saying, “I do this thing at the end when the music’s going duh-duh-duh-duh-duh … to me it’s like the horses are running through the forest and the goddesses and gods are all there. It’s a really dramatic part, and when I perform ‘Rhiannon’ myself onstage, I always twirl to it and I love it…When you twirl, you want to look beautiful, you know? You want to have your hands up, and you definitely want to spot or you will get dizzy.” Paired with her flowing outfits, the twirl is the perfect move to showcase her look. See here.
4. She officiates weddings.
There must be something to this Stevie Nicks being so cool thing that people want to get in on. The past December Vanessa Carlton and John McCauley of Deer Tick tied the knot, and officiating the wedding was none other than Stevie Nicks! Adorned in a flower crown, like the bride, she married the two in a private ceremony. We hope she continues with this hobby.
5. She can take a joke.
South Park is known for busting the chops of many a celebrity alive or dead. So when Stevie Nicks the goat appeared on a Season Five episode, laughs were had. In an interview she stated, “You know, I like South Park, and I like the two guys that do it. I think they’re really funny and I think that they’re relevant…You know, they already did an episode kind of about me [a long time ago], and I got kidnapped by the Afghanistan people and they sent the army in to get me. Yes, I was a little goat in a cape. But who cares? It was hysterical. The fact is, they sent the whole army in to get me.“ The fact that Stevie Nicks can laugh at herself as a cartoon is just great whereas others haven’t responded as kindly (looking at you, Kim Kardashian).
6. She reunited with Fleetwood Mac.
The touring line-up consisted of Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham on guitar, John McVie on bass and Mick Fleetwood on drums — everyone minus Christine McVie. They toured all throughout 2013 playing “two hours and 40 minutes, every night — for 47 nights” with a possible 2014 tour in the works. And then something happened: Christine McVie, who wrote many of the bands hits, decided to rejoin the band. Keep your eyes peeled for tour updates.
7. She’s an amazing songwriter.
Stevie Nicks is a very talented songwriter responsible for many hits. She was nominated for Songwriter’s Hall of Fame along with Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie, and named one of Paste’s 100 Best Living Songwriters. Nicks has performed at the ceremony alongside with many other talented songwriters to showcase her talents. Nicks has written solo and with others but overall has quite a collection of songs under her belt.
8. She opened for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin.
Before joining Fleetwood Mac, Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham were in a four-piece band together called Fritz. They had opened for Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix in the late ’60s when Nicks was just out of high school. She gives three nods of appreciation to Hendrix, Joplin and Grace Slick (of Jefferson Airplane) and says, “From those three people I got slinky, attitude and humility.”
9. She appeared in Sound City.
Dave Grohl made a documentary about the famous recording studio Sound City, in Los Angeles last year. Many artists have worked in that studio and have a fond memory of it, including Stevie Nicks. For the soundtrack of the movie Grohl compiled a band called the Sound City Players and played a bunch of songs with some very famous friends. Grohl and the Players played Letterman in anticipation of the movie release and played a cut off the album, “You Can’t Fix This,” with Stevie Nicks doing vocals. Watch below.
10. Her drama
Without the drama we wouldn’t have had 1977’s Rumours and many of the quintessential tracks the band has produced. The love affair between Nicks and Buckingham was intense, cocaine-ridden and messy. And he is not her only ex in the group. Mick Fleetwood was also connected with Ms. Nicks, and each night they would all go onstage and listen to Nicks belt out the raspy words to heartfelt songs with the two men who helped cause it playing beside her. All spats seem to have been put behind them as they continue to show audiences they still have it, one twirl at a time.
Chelsea Conte / Paste / Friday, February 14, 2014
