Stevie Nicks launched her charity drive to provide iPods to wounded and maimed U.S. troops last night with a little help from her famous friends. The Fleetwood Mac star has founded The Stevie Nicks Soldier Angel Foundation and used famed rock photographer pal Neal Preston’s new exhibition at Los Angeles’ Morrison Hotel Gallery to spread the word.
Neil Diamond, Heart siblings Ann and Nancy Wilson, movie maker Cameron Crowe, Red Hot Chili Peppers frontman Anthony Kiedis and rocker Keith Emerson were among the famous faces who attended Nicks’ charity party, which coincided with the preview of Preston’s latest show.
Nicks explained she came up with the idea for her new foundation after visiting rehabilitating soldiers in Washington, D.C.’s military hospitals two years ago.
She said, “You’re in a room with about 25 to 40 soldiers who have all been left without limbs and you’re told that this young guy has lost both his legs and all his friends were killed by a bomb. It changed me forever. They have prosthetic limbs and many of them need two years of rehab. You can’t imagine how expensive this is. I left thinking, `What can I do?’ I can’t exactly take my guitar, which I play very badly, and play for them.
“So I’m asking people to give me money for iPods and I’m going to fill them with my favorite songs and I’ll take the iPods with me every time I go back and the music will help them with their rehabilitation. It makes them happy.”
Nicks admits her first visits to the hospitals were “heart wrenching” and she spent a lot of time crying, but now she just wants to offer the wounded soldiers as much hope as possible. She adds, “I’m very attached and I will follow their progress to the end of my life.”
Generous Preston donated the night’s proceeds from all sales of his photographs, which featured famous shots of Nicks, to the cause. He said, “Stevie spends a lot of time with these soldiers and what she’s doing is really angelic.”
(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)
FLEETWOOD MAC star STEVIE NICKS always smiles for the cameras these days after she was reprimanded for being too sullen by a four-year-old. The rocker was reminded of her all-too serious poses at the preview party for rock photographer NEAL PRESTON’s new exhibition at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in Los Angeles last night (09NOV06), and scowled when she saw pictures of herself taken in Venice, California in 1982. She said, “I never used to smile in photos, but then I posed with this little girl and she said, `You’re not making a smiley face.’ It was very touching. “Ever since then, I’ve always made sure I smile in photos.” Nicks wasn’t the only famous face checking out Preston’s exhibition – NEIL DIAMOND, rocker ANTHONY KIEDIS and LAKE + PALMER star KEITH EMERSON also showed up for a blast from the past. When Diamond came face to face with a concert photo Preston had taken of him 30 years ago, the stunned SWEET CAROLINE singer said, “I cannot remember that shot. It was taken 30 years ago.”
‘THE SECULARIZATION of America is nowhere better illustrated than in the way this nation has now embraced Halloween as a commercial holiday!” Overheard on the Third Avenue bus.
Bette Midler’s annual “Hulaween” fund-raiser for her New York’s Restoration Project benefits from this mania for witches and goblins, but it doesn’t always happen on Oct. 31. This year it did – in spades – which meant that almost without exception, every person who crammed into the Waldorf’s ballroom was in costume.
The “Hulaween” event is always kind of loosey-goosey, but this year it was a very “downtown” happening, as if Webster Hall had moved into the gilt and glitter of Midtown. The costumes were fabulously inventive, colorful and some of them quite wicked. (There was one girl wearing a sequined T-shirt that said “Mrs. Ritchie.” She carried an African doll in a bundle slung across her arm. The photographers went wild for her.)
Bette appeared as a goddess of nature with what seemed to be a large dangling fern headpiece. (But Bette later explained it was a faucet!) Joy Behar, her co-auctioneer, was got up as Queen Elizabeth II. (Harvey Fierstein said she looked more like Golda Meir or Leona Helmsley.) The auction was fast, furious and fabulously vulgar. Bette did her level best to get those big bucks – and she did. “Is that Michael Fuchs’ table? Is that you, Michael? Are you raising your hand or just waving to me? Do I have to come down there?” (Fuchs coughed up, naturally.) And Bette is so persuasive talking about her wish to make the city a lovely, welcoming environment, not only of steel, glass and concrete, but of trees and grass – well, you want to go right out and plant a sapling. Bette says her own goal is to plant “a million trees” in New York. Costumed celebs included Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart, Michael Kors, Danny Aiello, Lee Daniels and Anne Hathaway.
Willie Nelson was honored for his founding of Farm Aid. He and Bette sang an exquisite “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Then Willie sang some more – perhaps more than expected. Stevie Nicks was waiting to take the stage.
All I can say is it was worth the wait. The audience went berserk as she appeared, swelling voluptuously out of a black lace dress over 4-inch-high black leather boots. Her voice, one of the most distinctive in rock ‘n’ roll, was rich and full. As Nicks went into her famous trademark “twirl,” the crowd yelled loud enough to be heard out on Park Avenue. Forty minutes later when she finished, the room was on its feet and Bette herself was rocking out. It was funny, campy and, thanks to Stevie, enjoyably sweaty. This is another triumph for Bette Midler, who raised an incredible $2 million for the work that keeps N.Y.C. No. 1 in the world!
P.S. ON Stevie Nicks. This iconic, somewhat mysterious performer spends time these days visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reed hospital. She offers presence, support and iPods filled with great music as well. Asked about this, she blushes and brushes it off: “They’re great guys – and gals. No matter what you think about the war, it’s the least anybody can do, right?” Right.
THE LATINO heartthrob, Julio Iglesias, age 63, and his wife, Miranda, have just welcomed a baby boy. His eighth child. Joy and rejoicing in Miami Beach. (They can’t get enough new young blood there!)
ENTERTAINMENT Weekly called it “Tex Mess,” and they weren’t discussing enchiladas. The reference is to the long-awaited “Dallas” feature movie. Stars, including Jennifer Lopez, Luke Wilson and Shirley MacLaine, have all been in and then out. The one still attached is John Travolta, who is determined to reinvent J.R. Ewing for the 21st century.
John is winding up his role as the super mom Edna Turnblad in the film version of “Hairspray.” Then, possibly if there is still a budget, New Regency will try to hit a gusher. But despite Travolta’s enthusiasm for this project, I still say “Don’t dress!” for the premiere.
OVER COFFEE in her new Manhattan apartment, the legend Angela Lansbury quipped: “I’ve been Mame Dennis, Mama Rose and Mrs. Lovett – why not Dorothy Parker?” And now she will be for one night only on Sunday. Angela, Boyd Gaines, Harriet Harris, Lisa Banes and Lynn Collins will be onstage at the Schoenfeld Theatre reading “This Is on Me, An Evening of Dorothy Parker,” adapted by Tom Fontana, directed by Warner Shook.
John Houseman, Ms. Lansbury’s longtime pal, founded the Acting Company in 1972, along with artistic director Margot Harley. The company benefits from the evening and a supper after. Call (212) 239-6200 or (212) 258-3111.
ONE OF the greatest looking guys in showbiz is heartthrob Lorenzo Lamas, now doing his stuff at Feinstein’s at the Regency Hotel, courtesy of Michael Feinstein himself. Lorenzo has a two-week “vacation” from CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful” to go onstage and sing his heart out. The great Vic Damone has been advising this guy, whose parents are the glamorous and beautiful Arlene Dahl and the late Fernando Lamas. Lorenzo will be singing there until Nov. 11, and he’s a real treat.
BETTE MIDLER’S ANNUAL “Hulaween” fund-raiser for her New York’s Restoration Project Tuesday night was another triumph for Bette Midler who raised an incredible $2 million for the work that keeps New York City No. 1 in the world. Almost without exception, every person who crammed into the Waldorf’s ballroom was in costume. The “Hulaween” event is always kind of loosey-goosey, but this year it was a very “downtown” happening, as if Webster Hall had moved into the gilt and glitter of midtown. The costumes were fabulously inventive, colorful and some of them quite wicked. (There was one girl wearing a sequined T-shirt that said “Mrs. Ritchie.” She carried an African doll in a bundle slung across her arm. The photographers went wild for her.) Bette appeared as a goddess of nature with what seemed to be a large dangling fern headpiece. (But Bette later explained it was a faucet.) Joy Behar, her co-auctioneer, was Queen Elizabeth II. (Harvey Fierstein said she looked more like Golda Meir or Leona Helmsley.) The auction was fast, furious and fabulously vulgar. Bette did her level best to get those big bucks. And Bette is so persuasive talking about her wish to make the city a lovely, welcoming environment, not only of steel, glass and concrete, but of trees and grass — well, you want to go right out and plant a sapling. Bette says her own goal is to plant “a million trees” in New York. Costumed celebs included Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart, Michael Kors, Danny Aiello, Lee Daniels, Anne Hathaway. Willie Nelson was honored for his founding of Farm Aid. He and Bette sang an exquisite “Wind Beneath My Wings.” Then, Willie sang some more — perhaps more than expected. Stevie Nicks was waiting to take the stage. All I can say is it was worth the wait. The audience went berserk as she appeared, swelling voluptuously out of a black lace dress over four-inch black leather boots. Her voice, one of the most distinctive in rock’n’roll, was rich and full. As Nicks went into her famous trademark “twirl,” the crowd yelled loud enough to be heard out on Park Avenue. Forty minutes later when she finished, the room was on its feet and Bette herself was rocking out. It was funny, campy and thanks to Stevie, enjoyably sweaty.
P.S. ON Stevie Nicks. This iconic, somewhat mysterious performer, spends time these days visiting wounded soldiers at Walter Reade Hospital. She gives presence, support and iPods filled with great music as well. Asked about this, she blushes and brushes it off: “They’re great guys — and gals. No matter what you think about the war, it’s the least anybody can do, right?” Right.
Lunch time diners at the Fort Myer dining facility yesterday may have been surprised to see two Rock legends meeting and greeting people in a back room. A line of Soldiers waited patiently for a chance to greet two visitors to the post.
Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood, who first rose to prominence with the band, Fleetwood Mac, in the 1970s, were in town to visit wounded personnel at local military hospitals. The two musicians dined with a group of wounded Soldiers from Walter Reed before repairing to the community center to greet and sign autographs for more Soldiers and some family members.
Nicks and Fleetwood visited Bethesda yesterday and were as excited to greet the Soldiers from Walter Reed as they were to see them.
“It was incredible,” Nicks said of her fourth visit to the wounded in Washington. “It’s always an eye-opener. They are amazing men.”
“First visit,” Fleetwood said of his trip to Bethesda. “It’s awe inspiring in terms of the people, not just the patients. We were with Marines yesterday. You get an incredible story line going on out on the floor. It’s quite astonishing. They have a truly extended family.”
Nicks also praised the hospitals’ staff for keeping up the patients’ morale after their families return home.
Fleetwood was impressed with the wounded warriors’ feeling for their deployed comrades.
“They’ve stayed in touch with their friends,” he said. “A lot of the chaps were terribly concerned with those left behind.”
Sgt. Steve Cobb was the envy of many when Nicks reached over and greeted him with a kiss. He was meeting the singer for the third time.
“I love Stevie,” Cobb said. “I’ve followed Fleetwood Mac since I was growing up.”
Staff Sgt. Lisa Kirk brought her own marker and guitar to be signed.
“I’ve followed them all my life growing up,” she said. “I saw them in Concert in Philadelphia with Crosby, Stills and Nash. I’ve been playing guitar off and on since 1992.”
According to the Nicks Fix, Stevie Nicks will not be performing at The Big Apple to the Big Easy: New York City Concerts for the Gulf Coast, as originally reported. No other details were given.
Stevie Nicks (center) greets Linda Anderson and Scott Williams before having pictures taken with them Monday night during a VIP party at Kincaid's in downtown Phoenix. (Photo: Michael Chow/Scottsdale Republic)
What’s it like to party with Stevie Nicks? Well, some of us found out after Monday night’s Fleetwood Mac concert, a benefit for the Arizona Heart Foundation. The VIP concert tickets on the floor of America West Arena included a pre-concert cocktail party and then a post-party with the rock goddess. The price? A mere $1,000 per person. They sold out within three weeks.
Many of the 264 people who forked out the bucks headed for the late-night after party at Kincaid’s Steak Chop and Fish House. Security was very tight, and only those with special armbands were allowed in.
The eclectic crowd of Nicks’ hard-core followers (some were dressed like her) and supporters of the Arizona Heart Foundation waited for an hour with few complaints. Nicks finally arrived at about midnight with a surprise: She brought along Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie.
The crowd of about 270 learned people could have their photos taken with the band. Some people waited in line for an hour. They each had only a few seconds to pose, and then were whisked away by the bodyguards.
Nigel Atkinson didn’t mind. He and his wife came all the way from England for the concert.
Lessing Stern, owner of Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, and Gay Palmer, both of Carefree, and Art and Nancy Schwalm of Scottsdale were among those mingling at the party. The Schwalms invited 10 of their family members to the concert and party – VIP style.
Meredeth Rohner of Tiffany & Co. and her fiancé, Jim Moss, said they waited past their bedtime for the rock goddess. On behalf of Tiffany’s, Meredeth presented each band member a Tiffany crystal-etched sculpture.
The Phoenix stop on the band’s reunion tour (they left that same night for San Francisco) was a homecoming performance for Nicks, who was born at Good Samaritan Hospital. These days the diva commutes between Los Angeles and her home in Paradise Valley, which she shares with her brother, Chris, his wife, Lori, and her 11-year-old niece, Jessie.
Her parents, Jess and Barbara, of Paradise Valley, were also part of her entourage at the party. “It’s such a thrill to see this little kid of mine up on stage in front of all those people,” Barbara said.
For the family, this was more than a concert. “Raising money for the Arizona Heart Hospital is so important to Stevie,” said Jess. It’s where both he and Barbara had lifesaving surgery. The cause also has a place in Buckingham’s heart. Barbara noted that he lost his father at 50 and his brother at 45, who both died from heart attacks.
During the concert, Nicks dedicated the song Landslide to her father and Silver Springs to her mother. (Barbara named her antique and vintage store in Payson after the song). Stevie donates all the royalties from the song Beautiful Child in honor of her parents to the Heart Foundation.
By Leigh Flayton
City AZ
Friday, November 30, 2001
Local hero Stevie Nicks’ national tour culminates in a hometown show that’s dear to her family’s heart — it’s also the hottest ticket of the year.
She’s back. Phoenix’s favorite songbird returns home this December 6 to play her annual benefit concert for the Arizona Heart Institute at America West Arena. And, what can fans expect this year, whether they score the premium $1,000 tickets–which include access to the private post-concert party — or the more affordable, yet still intimate, seats throughout the venue?
We’ll have many of the same guests this year: Sheryl Crow, Don Henley, Lindsey Buckingham,” Nicks said recently via telephone. “They’re all my friends; they’re my circle.”
Also in attendance will be any of us who were smart enough to purchase tickets, for we will not only see a one-of-a-kind show, we’ll be supporting a terrific cause. The benefit concert is the passion of Stevie’s father, Jess Nicks — whose brother and mother died of heart disease — and who has suffered from the disease himself, along with Stevie’s mother, Barbara.
“My dad is almost 77 years old, and when you get to be 77 you get to thinking, ‘I better start doing all this,’” Nicks says. “He is determined to build heart hospitals, and these benefits keep him going because he really goes to work on this. It makes him young again.”
Last year’s show was a magical musical moment. Nicks sang unforgettable versions of her greatest works, including acoustic renderings of “Landslide” and “Gypsy”, with longtime friend, collaborator, and former lover Lindsey Buckingham. Also, many of the Nicks’ friends were onhand singing duets with her in addition to their own songs. Yet the best part was that every cent derived from the performance — titled “Stevie Nicks and Friends” — went to the Arizona Heart Institute Foundation’s efforts to eradicate heart disease, and to provide for advanced research into the treatments.
“It’s not like collecting funds that spray into the wind and you have no idea where they go,” Nicks says. “The second my father gets that money in his hand, he takes it to where it’s gotta go.”
Nicks has been benefiting millions with her music during the last three decades, beginning with her days with Fleetwood Mac. Since 1981, when her solo career took off upon the release of her first album, Bella Donna, she has been one of America’s premier artists — a fact that she takes very seriously.
Her dedication to what she does was almost usurped, like most Americans’, last fall. Nicks was on tour in New York on September 11, the 21st-century’s very own date of infamy. Four days later, her first performance since the attacks was scheduled for Atlantic City.
“It’s been very hard for me to be out on the road [since the attacks],” Nicks admits. “I thought about going home, because I just didn’t know that I could stand up there and smile. There were some days when I was calling home every day, really hysterical.” But Nicks got through that difficult first show. “It was hard to go back onstage. I have been very afraid, but we all have to get back on the plane. If we don’t, this country isn’t going to make it.”
That concern inspired Nicks to write a poem “We Get Back on the Plane” which she composed aboard the nerve-racking flight out of Atlantic City, which was accompanied by an F-16 fighter plane. When we spoke a week later, she admitted she had been “song creeping” around the piano, knowing she would soon set the words she wrote to music.
“My Mom and Dad keep going back to World War II,” Nicks says. “They keep saying, ‘You’re part of the USO right now; you must do this.’ I know that if we don’t get back to work, we’re in huge trouble.”
So Stevie Nicks — the artist — took her own advice and got back to work. “I told the audience in Atlantic City to ‘let us let the music just take us away,’” she says. And, she admits, it did.
Nicks says she knows that music does make a difference, and now, during the height of the greatest American crisis in a generation, she still believes music can help change the world.
“During Desert Storm I received a flag from one of the first tanks that went in,” she recalls. “They were listening to my music and they made a very big deal to me about how important it was, to listen to my records. Entertainment — per se — is really uplifting. And now, of course, all my songs take on a different meaning.”
Nicks has said she’s made sacrifices in her pursuit of the artist’s life, but her returns have meant so much to her listeners as well as for herself. She says she “knows” when she’s written something particularly meaningful; usually because it happens so quickly.
I knew at the end of “Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You”, I knew at the end of “Landslide”, and I knew at the end of “Love Is” from the new album,” she admits about realizing the brilliance of her songwriting. “I do have a feeling of it because what happens with songs is, sometimes you get halfway through and stop. Something isn’t right.”
But sometimes, according to Nicks, it’s a flawless process.
“There are ones that just flow out with no problem,” she admits. “I really did write a poem called “We Get Back On the Plane”, and I don’t know when I’m going to write it [as a song]. I might write it; I could write it. Those songs all have a really great story; they all have a real reason to be written. The ones that are really memorable are the ones that give that feeling of I have to do this. And, it’s going to be forever.”
Like the heart hospitals Jess Nicks is determined to build, this year’s teaming of Nicks & Nicks will be yet another gift to the Valley. Jess will take his annual seat in the front row and beam — no doubt — as our desert angel takes the stage.
For tickets call 602.266.2200 ext. 4619 or go to www.azheart.com.
