Chimpanzees and Stevie Nicks may seem an unlikely pairing.

But it’s no monkey business.

Moved by naturalist Jane Goodall’s commitment to saving the animals from what Goodall calls “cruel and unnecessary scientific experiments,” Nicks has written a new song for the researcher/author. She’ll perform Jane’s Song Oct. 25 at a Dallas benefit, the International Tribute to Jane Goodall.

“I got very inspired, very wrapped up in it — I still am,” says Nicks, who calls Goodall “my idol, a woman who has profoundly affected my life. Because of her, a lot of people’s eyes were opened to the atrocities that go on.”

Nicks admits the subject didn’t come naturally: “Not knowing how to write a song about chimpanzees – since I’ve never had one or known one — I basically had to go through Jane’s feelings to write it.”

The song will be included on Nicks’ next solo album. All proceeds from the Dallas gala will be given to the Jane Goodall Institute.

“When she hears it,” says Nicks excitedly, “it’s going to blow her mind that somebody in my generation, somebody in my line of work, would put her — and what she does — as a priority over what I do.

“There is a big part of me that wants to be worthwhile in other areas, also. There is certainly more to this world than rock ‘n’ roll. I know that.”

USA TODAY (Life) / October 16, 1991