Career Timeline of Stevie Nicks: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Stevie Nicks made an impact.

Stevie Nicks is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, achieving fame as a key member of Fleetwood Mac and later establishing a successful solo career. Her distinctive vocals, poetic lyrics, and captivating stage presence have made her a beloved figure in rock and pop music. Nicks is celebrated for her contributions to iconic Fleetwood Mac albums like 'Rumours' and her solo hits such as 'Edge of Seventeen,' solidifying her status as a music icon and inspiring generations of artists.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1967: Meeting Lindsey Buckingham and Joining Fritz

In mid-1967, Stevie Nicks met Lindsey Buckingham and joined the psychedelic rock band Fritz as the lead singer, replacing two musicians who were leaving for college.

1968: Fritz Opens for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin

From 1968 until 1970, Stevie Nicks' band, Fritz, opened for legendary acts Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, experiences she credits with inspiring her stage presence.

1970: Fritz Opens for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin

From 1968 until 1970, Stevie Nicks' band, Fritz, opened for legendary acts Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, experiences she credits with inspiring her stage presence.

1972: Formation of Writing Duo with Buckingham

In 1972, after Fritz disbanded, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham continued writing as a duo and recording demo tapes.

1972: Buckingham joins Everly Brothers 1972 tour, Nicks writes Rhiannon and Landslide

In 1972, while Lindsey Buckingham was touring with the Everly Brothers, Stevie Nicks wrote "Rhiannon" after seeing the name in the novel Triad by Mary Leader. She also penned "Landslide", inspired by the scenery of Aspen and the deteriorating state of her relationship with Buckingham.

1973: Release of Buckingham Nicks Album

In 1973, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham released their eponymous album Buckingham Nicks with Polydor Records. The album was not commercially successful, leading Polydor to drop the pair.

December 31, 1974: Invitation to Join Fleetwood Mac

On December 31, 1974, Mick Fleetwood called Lindsey Buckingham, inviting him to join Fleetwood Mac. Buckingham insisted on joining only if Stevie Nicks was also included, leading to both joining the band.

1975: Worldwide Success with Fleetwood Mac Album

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac achieved worldwide success with their album Fleetwood Mac. Nicks's song "Rhiannon" was voted one of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone.

1975: Joining Fleetwood Mac

In 1975, Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac, contributing to the band's rise as one of the best-selling music acts of all time. The same year, Fleetwood Mac's album, also titled Fleetwood Mac, achieved worldwide success.

1976: End of Nicks-Buckingham Relationship and Recording of Rumours

In 1976, Stevie Nicks ended her personal relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, though they continued to work together professionally in Fleetwood Mac. The band also began recording their follow-up album, Rumours, and Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham sang back-up on Warren Zevon's eponymous second album.

1977: Success of Rumours album and tour

After the success of the Rumours album and tour from 1977 to 1978, Fleetwood Mac began recording their third album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Tusk, in the spring of 1978.

1977: Release and Success of Rumours

In 1977, Fleetwood Mac released Rumours, their second album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. It became the best-selling album of the year.

1978: Success of Rumours album and tour

After the success of the Rumours album and tour from 1977 to 1978, Fleetwood Mac began recording their third album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, Tusk, in the spring of 1978.

1978: Collaboration with Walter Egan and Kenny Loggins

In 1978, Stevie Nicks sang backup on virtually every track of Not Shy by Walter Egan, and recorded the hit duet "Whenever I Call You Friend" with Kenny Loggins.

October 19, 1979: Release of Tusk

On October 19, 1979, Fleetwood Mac released their album Tusk.

1979: Collaboration with John Stewart

In 1979, Stevie Nicks recorded "Gold" with John Stewart.

1979: Solo Project Demos and Founding of Modern Records

In 1979, Stevie Nicks wrote and recorded demos for a solo project during the Tusk sessions and world tour. Nicks, Danny Goldberg, and Paul Fishkin also founded Modern Records to record and release Nicks's solo material.

July 27, 1981: Release of Bella Donna

On July 27, 1981, Stevie Nicks released her first solo album, Bella Donna, which was met with critical and commercial success. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and Rolling Stone deemed her "the Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll".

November 1981: Start of White Winged Dove Tour

In November 1981, Stevie Nicks embarked on her White Winged Dove tour, which was cut short to record Mirage.

1981: Guest Appearances with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

During 1981, Stevie Nicks made occasional guest appearances with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on their Hard Promises tour.

1981: Beginning of Solo Career

In 1981, while still a member of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks launched her solo career. She released her debut studio album, Bella Donna, which topped the Billboard 200 chart and achieved multiplatinum status.

1981: Recording of Mirage

In late 1981 Fleetwood Mac recorded Mirage

1982: Recording of Mirage

In early 1982 Fleetwood Mac recorded Mirage

June 10, 1983: Release of The Wild Heart

On June 10, 1983, Stevie Nicks released her second solo album, The Wild Heart. It reached number five on the Billboard 200 albums chart and went double platinum.

June 1983: US Festival Performance and Tour

In June 1983, Stevie Nicks performed at the second US Festival and commenced a U.S. tour that lasted until November 1983.

November 1983: US Festival Performance and Tour

In November 1983, Stevie Nicks completed her U.S. tour, which started in June of the same year.

December 1983: Saturday Night Live Appearance

In December 1983, Stevie Nicks appeared on Saturday Night Live, where she performed "Stand Back" and "Nightbird".

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1984: Recording Songs for Mirror Mirror Album

In 1984, Stevie Nicks recorded songs for her third solo album originally titled Mirror Mirror.

1984: Toured with Walsh and wrote "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?"

In 1984, Stevie Nicks toured with Joe Walsh and wrote the song "Has Anyone Ever Written Anything for You?" about Walsh's deceased daughter.

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November 18, 1985: Release of Rock a Little

On November 18, 1985, Stevie Nicks released her third solo album, Rock a Little, which was commercially successful and supported by three successful singles.

October 1986: End of Rock a Little Tour

In October 1986, Stevie Nicks concluded her tour for Rock a Little. During the tour, she performed with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in Australia.

1992: "Silver Springs" Included on Retrospective Album

In 1992, "Silver Springs", a song written by Stevie Nicks about her relationship with Lindsey Buckingham, was included on the four-disc Fleetwood Mac retrospective 25 Years – The Chain.

October 2005: Attended Melbourne Cup Week and Launched Gold Dust Tour promotion

In October 2005, Stevie Nicks attended the Melbourne Cup Week in Australia, where one of the horse-racing stakes was named after her: The Stevie Nicks Plate. She used the opportunity to launch her promotion of an Australian/New Zealand extension to her Gold Dust tour in February and March 2006.

October 2006: Performed at Bette Midler's Hulaween benefit

In October 2006, Stevie Nicks was the featured performer for Bette Midler's benefit function, Hulaween.

March 2007: Tom Petty's Homecoming Concert DVD Release

In March 2007, Tom Petty's Homecoming Concert in Gainesville, FL, which contained performances with Stevie Nicks, was released on DVD.

March 20, 2011: Heart & Soul Tour Launch

On March 20, 2011, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks launched the Heart & Soul Tour in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

August 9, 2011: In Your Dreams solo tour began

On August 9, 2011, Stevie Nick's solo tour for In Your Dreams began in Denver, Colorado.

December 2011: Australian and New Zealand leg of the tour

Stevie Nicks continued on an Australian and New Zealand leg of the In Your Dreams tour accompanied by Dave Stewart until December 2011.

2017: Rumours Sales

As of 2017, Rumours had sold over 45 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time.

October 2018: Nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In October 2018, Stevie Nicks was one of fifteen artists to be nominated for induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

December 13, 2018: Induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

On December 13, 2018, Stevie Nicks was announced as one of seven inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2019, making her the first woman to be inducted twice to the hall.