Career Timeline of Stevie Nicks: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Stevie Nicks, born Stephanie Lynn Nicks, is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, achieving fame both as a key member of Fleetwood Mac and as a successful solo artist. Her distinctive, often mystical stage presence, evocative lyrics, and recognizable voice have made her a prominent figure in popular music. With Fleetwood Mac, she contributed to numerous hit songs and albums, solidifying her place in rock and roll history. Her solo career further demonstrated her songwriting talent and unique artistic vision, earning her critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. Nicks remains an influential and enduring figure in the music industry.

Sections (4)

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

1967: Joined Lindsey Buckingham in Harmony

In mid-1967, Stevie Nicks joined Lindsey Buckingham in harmony at a Young Life club after hearing him play "California Dreamin'". Later Buckingham asked Nicks to replace the lead singer in his band Fritz.

1968: Fritz Opens for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin

From 1968 until 1970, Stevie Nicks, as part of Fritz, opened for legendary acts Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, which she credits with inspiring her stage intensity and performance style.

1970: Fritz Opens for Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin

From 1968 until 1970, Stevie Nicks, as part of Fritz, opened for legendary acts Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, which she credits with inspiring her stage intensity and performance style.

1972: Continued Writing as a Duo

After Fritz disbanded in 1972, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham continued writing music as a duo, recording demo tapes in Daly City, California.

1972: Buckingham Lands Guitar Role

In 1972, While living with Richard Dashut, Lindsey Buckingham landed a guitar role with the Everly Brothers 1972 tour and Stevie Nicks stayed behind working on songwriting herself, during this time Nicks wrote "Rhiannon" and "Landslide".

1973: Buckingham Nicks Album Release

In 1973, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham released their eponymous album, "Buckingham Nicks", on Polydor Records. However, the album was not a commercial success, leading to Polydor dropping them.

December 31, 1974: Fleetwood Invites Buckingham to Join

On December 31, 1974, Mick Fleetwood called Lindsey Buckingham, inviting him to join Fleetwood Mac after being impressed by Buckingham's guitar work on the Buckingham Nicks track "Frozen Love". Buckingham insisted on Nicks joining as well, leading to both becoming members.

1975: Worldwide Success

In 1975, Fleetwood Mac achieved worldwide success with their album "Fleetwood Mac", featuring Stevie Nicks's "Rhiannon", which was later voted one of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone. "Landslide" also became a hit from the album.

1975: Joined Fleetwood Mac

In 1975, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined Fleetwood Mac, contributing to the band's rise to become one of the best-selling music acts worldwide, with over 120 million records sold.

1977: Success Album and Tour

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

1977: Rumours Album Success

In 1977, Fleetwood Mac's album, "Rumours", became the best-selling album of the year. It remained number one on the American albums chart for 31 weeks and reached number one in other countries.

1978: Success Album and Tour

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

1978: Backup vocals on "Not Shy"

In 1978, while working on Tusk with Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks provided backup vocals on almost every track of "Not Shy" by musician Walter Egan. She also recorded the duet "Whenever I Call You Friend" with Kenny Loggins.

October 19, 1979: Tusk Album Release

On October 19, 1979, Fleetwood Mac released the album "Tusk", their third album with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

1979: Recorded "Gold" with John Stewart

In 1979, Stevie Nicks recorded the hit duet "Gold" with John Stewart, adding to her growing list of collaborations.

1979: Solo Project

In 1979, Stevie Nicks wrote and recorded demonstrations for a solo project during the Tusk sessions and world tour. To release her material, Nicks, Danny Goldberg, and Paul Fishkin founded Modern Records.

July 27, 1981: Bella Donna Album Release

On July 27, 1981, Stevie Nicks released her first solo album, Bella Donna, which achieved critical and commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

November 1981: Embarked on Tour

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

1981: Guest Appearances on Tour

During 1981, Stevie Nicks made occasional guest appearances with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on their Hard Promises tour, expanding her presence in the music scene.

1981: Started Solo Career

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

1981: Mirage Album Recorded

In late 1981 and early 1982, Fleetwood Mac recorded the album "Mirage".

1982: Mirage Album Recorded

In late 1981 and early 1982, Fleetwood Mac recorded the album "Mirage".

June 10, 1983: Wild Heart Album Release

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

June 1983: Performed at US Festival and Toured

From June 1983 to November 1983, Stevie Nicks performed at the second US Festival in San Bernardino, California, and toured the U.S. promoting her second album, "The Wild Heart".

November 1983: Performed at US Festival and Toured

From June 1983 to November 1983, Stevie Nicks performed at the second US Festival in San Bernardino, California, and toured the U.S. promoting her second album, "The Wild Heart".

December 1983: Appeared on Saturday Night Live

In December 1983, Stevie Nicks made an appearance on Saturday Night Live, performing "Stand Back" and "Nightbird".

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1984: Recorded Songs for Mirror Mirror

In 1984, Stevie Nicks began recording songs for her third solo album, initially titled "Mirror Mirror". However, she was ultimately unhappy with the album and opted to record a new set of songs.

November 18, 1985: Rock a Little Release

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

October 1986: Tour

Until October 1986, Stevie Nicks toured for "Rock a Little", and performed with Bob Dylan and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers during their tour in Australia.

2001: Sampled on Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious"

In 2001, "Edge of Seventeen" was sampled on Destiny's Child's number one single "Bootylicious". Stevie Nicks appeared in the video and in an episode of MTV's Making the Video, expressing her admiration for the song and the group.

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October 2005: Attendance at Melbourne Cup Week

In October 2005, Stevie Nicks attended the Melbourne Cup Week in Australia, where one of the horse-racing stakes was named The Stevie Nicks Plate. She used this opportunity to promote her Gold Dust tour extension.

2005: Deep Dish Remix of "Dreams"

In 2005, Deep Dish remixed Stevie Nicks' song, "Dreams," and Nicks re-recorded vocals for the remix. The Deep Dish version reached number two on the Billboard Hot Dance Airplay chart, providing Nicks with her third UK top-40 hit.

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March 2006: Gold Dust Tour in Australia and New Zealand

In March 2006, Stevie Nicks toured in Australia and New Zealand with Australian performer John Farnham as part of her Gold Dust tour.

October 2006: Performance 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 Filmed

In March 2007, Tom Petty's Homecoming Concert in Gainesville, Florida, which contained performances with Stevie Nicks, was filmed for PBS Soundstage and released on DVD.

2007: Additional Vocals on Vanessa Carlton's Album

In 2007, Stevie Nicks provided additional vocals on Vanessa Carlton's album, Heroes and Thieves.

2008: Soundstage Sessions Tour

In 2008, Stevie Nicks embarked on the Soundstage Sessions tour in the U.S.

January 31, 2010: Performance with Taylor Swift at the Grammy Awards

On January 31, 2010, Stevie Nicks performed with Taylor Swift at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, where Swift introduced Nicks as one of her childhood heroes.

March 20, 2011: Launch of the Heart & Soul Tour

On March 20, 2011, Rod Stewart and Stevie Nicks co-headlined the Heart & Soul Tour, launching in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The tour featured a series of arena concerts throughout North America.

August 9, 2011: In Your Dreams Solo Tour Began

On August 9, 2011, Stevie Nicks began her solo tour for In Your Dreams in Denver, Colorado.

December 2011: Australian and New Zealand Leg of Tour

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

June 2012: Resumption of In Your Dreams Tour

In June 2012, Stevie Nicks resumed the In Your Dreams tour.

2017: "Rumours" Sales Milestone

As of 2017, the Fleetwood Mac album "Rumours" had sold over 45 million copies worldwide, solidifying its status as one of the best-selling albums of all time.

2023: Concerts with Billy Joel

In 2023, Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel performed a series of concerts across the United States, starting at SoFi Stadium outside Los Angeles on March 10, in conjunction with a solo tour.