By the mid-1970s, Fleetwood Mac was already an established name, but their greatest success was just beginning. In 1974, founding drummer Mick Fleetwood sought to revitalize the band by recruiting a new guitarist. He discovered Lindsey Buckingham, who had been performing with his musical partner and girlfriend Stevie Nicks. When offered the spot, Buckingham insisted Nicks be brought on board too—as a vocalist and songwriter. Reluctantly, Fleetwood agreed, a decision that would lead the band into its golden era.
The Rise of a New Era
Nicks and Buckingham brought fresh energy to the band, resulting in Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 self-titled album—a major commercial success. But the true breakthrough came in 1977 with Rumours, a record that has become one of the best-selling albums of all time. Behind the scenes, however, Rumours was born in chaos. The album chronicled the band’s inner turmoil, romantic entanglements, and struggles with drug addiction. Cocaine flowed freely, fueling both creativity and dysfunction.
Stevie Nicks Goes Solo
As tensions within Fleetwood Mac grew, Stevie Nicks began pursuing a solo career. Her 1981 debut album, Bella Donna, soared to No. 1, followed by the chart-topping The Wild Heart in 1983. Despite her professional success, Nicks was battling a serious cocaine addiction. By 1985, during her Rock a Little tour, doctors warned her that one more hit could be fatal.
The Dark Side of MTV Fame
The rise of MTV in the 1980s added pressure to create visual content for singles. For Nicks, who was deep into substance abuse at the time, music video sets became chaotic. She later criticized her appearance in the “I Can’t Wait” video, regretting how drugs clouded her focus and appearance. Even more dangerously, her attempt to film a Civil War-themed video for “Stand Back” ended with her jumping off a frightened horse during a shoot—another near-death moment that served as a wake-up call.
Near Tragedy and Turning Points
In interviews, Nicks has spoken about how close she came to following the tragic paths of icons like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. But ultimately, she chose a different fate. She got clean in the late 1980s, determined not to become another cautionary tale.
Unfortunately, her recovery led her into another trap: Klonopin. Prescribed by a psychiatrist to manage her withdrawal, the drug left her sedated and creatively paralyzed for nearly a decade. “Klonopin was worse than the cocaine,” Nicks admitted. “I lost those eight years of my life. I didn’t write, and I had gained so much weight.”
A Return to Clarity
In 1993, Nicks entered a 47-day detox program to overcome her Klonopin dependency. Since then, she’s remained sober—aside from occasional legal marijuana use—and has continued to inspire generations with her resilience and artistry. Her story is one of redemption, reminding fans that even legends must fight to reclaim their light.
