When did stevie become a ''legend''

[mike_nh]

I know everyone now uses the term ''legend'' to discribe her but i was curious when she made that
crossover from rockstar to legend? my personal opinion it started in 1997 with the dance tour and
silver springs came out. others would say it started with the dixie chicks and landslide.

[Artemis]

I'd say around 1997-2001, when liking Stevie Nicks was no longer seen as social suicide, and people began to appreciate her talents more. :laugh:

[michelej1]

I'd say about the time you got Storytellers or in 2002 when the Dixie Chicks were on VH1 Divas with Landslide.
Michele

[SaidSomething]

I am teasing...sort of.

Aren't the questions always answered...
"...well ah...as legend had it...she was a tiny little witch that cast a spell on people when they heard her magical voice...she lived, up there...somewhere...she used to wear black cotton shrouds...spun by another witch, Rhiannon...she was a trick of light as folks thought she was 5'8" but when she stopped singing for the crowds that came from far away places...some other queer folk...called the chiffonheads (no insult, please) traded with her, jade, gold, diamonds...and many riches for her kingdom up a strange mountain where some other lady lived...can't quite recall her name...Lindsey? I think...anyway, back to her trick of eye spells...she stood at 5'8" before the sea of many crowds...however, she was really only five foot one and a half they say...she also was blessed with what we call a tee dee today...back then it was called a stand back high kick...

That is enough legendary tales for now...go back the children, your music and the people that you love...its almost time for dinner, Poet. You really are a little priest of nothing, aren't ya now..."

[Angel69]

The moment I heard her sing.

[jellyman10]

"...she also was blessed with what we call a tee dee today...back then it was called a stand back high kick..."

:laugh::laugh: thankyou

[olive]

When she Hired Liz Rosenberg ,and it was included in all press releases

[PolishStevieFan]

For me it began when she started promoting "Trouble in Shangri-La" in 2001. I remember Polish review of this album in which author reffered to her as "rock legend". If my memory serves me well, it was also a year when Destiny's Child sampled "Edge of Seventeen" which of course added something special to her legendary status. I think "Trouble In Shangri-La" was her breakthrough as a new-defined legend-being 53 years old woman, having a very successful comeback (with the album being certified Gold) and being praised by new branch of female rockers proved her status and legacy. Pat Benatar who used to be popular in the 80's has never been reffered to as a legend, simply because she didn't have successful comeback. Stevie had much more luck, just like Tina Turner in 1984 with her "Private Dancer" album. No matter how many flops she's had ever since that album, she's always been reffered to as a legend.

[beccamorrisfift]

I am teasing...sort of.

Aren't the questions always answered...
"...well ah...as legend had it...she was a tiny little witch that cast a spell on people when they heard her magical voice...she lived, up there...somewhere...she used to wear black cotton shrouds...spun by another witch, Rhiannon...she was a trick of light as folks thought she was 5'8" but when she stopped singing for the crowds that came from far away places...some other queer folk...called the chiffonheads (no insult, please) traded with her, jade, gold, diamonds...and many riches for her kingdom up a strange mountain where some other lady lived...can't quite recall her name...Lindsey? I think...anyway, back to her trick of eye spells...she stood at 5'8" before the sea of many crowds...however, she was really only five foot one and a half they say...she also was blessed with what we call a tee dee today...back then it was called a stand back high kick...

That is enough legendary tales for now...go back the children, your music and the people that you love...its almost time for dinner, Poet. You really are a little priest of nothing, aren't ya now..."

I love this ! :xoxo:

[TerraRhiannon]

I agree that it was probably the D A N C E in '97. That's like my favourite vocal of hers also.

I still don't know why they called it that "The Dance," but it sometimes makes me wonder.

[iamnotafraid]

I'd say around 1997-2001, when liking Stevie Nicks was no longer seen as social suicide, and people began to appreciate her talents more. :laugh:

I agree that it was 1997. Her comeback was pretty much
complete at that point. She'd recovered from the embarrassing
Street Angel period. Even though for me personally I'm
glad they didn't retire at that point, it certainly would have been
a high-water mark for her and the band to go out on top in 97/98.

Personally I think it would have been a good move for her to retire
after she completed the Soundstage Sessions. She'd be free to start
writing her book and release a box set of her demos to keep us
satisfied.

Btw, I conferred with Barry and he agrees.

[mikephxaz]

it's an interesting question...i'm still not sure of the exact moment that Stevie became a legend but Iwould guess that The Dance and rock and roll hall of fame would be the obvious choices - Dixie Chicks helped out too!
I still think its amazing how she has carried herself w/ class throughout her life..even the years of drug addiction years she still seemed sweet, sincere and concerned about her legacy enough to be taken seriously.... :thumbsup:

[TrueFaith77]

Yes, Silver Springs The Dance 1997

[jellyman10]

I still think its amazing how she has carried herself w/ class throughout her life..even the years of drug addiction years she still seemed sweet, sincere and concerned about her legacy enough to be taken seriously.... :thumbsup:

I agree - with the obvious proviso that she is very fortunate to have had her career arc in the era before papparazzi and mobile-phone videos etc. Although you could argue that if her problems had been exposed earlier, then they might not have gotten so serious. In fact, there was an interview with a boxer here in the UK recently, where he said that having his coke habit plastered all over the News of the World had, in retrospect, been the best thing that could have happened to him and may well have saved his life.

[Livia]

I agree that it was probably the D A N C E in '97. That's like my favourite vocal of hers also.

I still don't know why they called it that "The Dance," but it sometimes makes me wonder.

Mick came up w/ that. There's a painting by Matisse called "The Dance." It's five people holding hands and dancing in a circle. Mick thought the five represented the members of the band, aka the five links in "The Chain," etc.

[HejiraNYC]

The term "legend" is (partially) defined as follows:

6. a collection of stories about an admirable person.
7. a person who is the center of such stories: She became a legend in her own lifetime.

To paraphrase, one becomes a legend once one becomes the fodder for much prose and speculation- a person that peaks the curiosity of the populace and merits inclusion in our collective pop culture consciousness. In that vein, I think Stevie became a legend in 1977- right after Rumours. Lots of people are rock stars. Lots of people have bad breakups. But there are only a handful that fascinate us. The young, talented, beautiful, beguiling songstress who undergoes a nasty, public breakup with someone just as young, talented and beautiful = tabloid sensation. Nobody would care about her drama if her music was mediocre or if she was some kind of vapid poptart. But she was the total package that made people take notice- brains, beauty, talent. The instant success of her solo career is just the logical reaction to her already heady level of stardom.

[mike_nh]

you make a good point but.... back in 77 there was no mtv or music videos to be seen. I think the
first time anyone got to ''see'' stevie was in the SDMHA video or the gyspy video in 1982. Stevie
was always a rockstar since she joined mac in 1975 but as far as her making the jump for people to start using the term ''legend'' or ''icon'' had to be in the 90's with timespace or enchanted both were
greatest hits packages.

[mikephxaz]

I agree - with the obvious proviso that she is very fortunate to have had her career arc in the era before papparazzi and mobile-phone videos etc. Although you could argue that if her problems had been exposed earlier, then they might not have gotten so serious. In fact, there was an interview with a boxer here in the UK recently, where he said that having his coke habit plastered all over the News of the World had, in retrospect, been the best thing that could have happened to him and may well have saved his life.

I certainly agree that the celebs of 70ties and 80ties werent subjected to as much scrutiny due to the recent age of the internet and I also think that your point is very interesting that, perhaps, if the spotlight had been shown on her addictions maybe she would have sought help earlier..I'm here in Phoenix, Stevie's hometown, and I have to say that even during Stevie's worst times she still kept her public image intact. There was a decade when she was subjected to some ridicule but she held it together and never sought out "easy" methods to put herself on the cover of the magazines...
I wish so much that she would get right back in the studio and put together a new solo cd...duets, acoustical, covers, original material...i don't care which...I think she is on the road to claiming a bigger legacy as a solo artist if she would....instead of running back into the studio with FM. I love her FM stuff but I wish she would release another solo cd of some genre and cement her solo legacy....just a thought:]

[jellyman10]

I'm here in Phoenix, Stevie's hometown, and I have to say that even during Stevie's worst times she still kept her public image intact. There was a decade when she was subjected to some ridicule but she held it together and never sought out "easy" methods to put herself on the cover of the magazines...


Cool. That's interesting that you were in Phoenix when she lived there during those times and felt she kept a pretty good image, all things considered. :)

[cliffdweller]

Yes, Silver Springs The Dance 1997

Bingo :nod:

[fringed n fab]

I think Stevie was deemed a legend long before 1997 with people. What The Dance did was introduce her to a whole younger generation of people who'd probably never been into or heard some of her/their stuff before or seen what she was like as a performer.

[Macfanforever]

The word legend make me feel old.If I was called a legend.yes I been hearing the press calling her a legend in the pass 15 or so years.

[PenguinHead]

I'd say around 1997-2001, when liking Stevie Nicks was no longer seen as social suicide, and people began to appreciate her talents more. :laugh:

:thumbsup: Love the term "social suicide!" So creatively communicative!

[TerraRhiannon]

Mick came up w/ that. There's a painting by Matisse called "The Dance." It's five people holding hands and dancing in a circle. Mick thought the five represented the members of the band, aka the five links in "The Chain," etc.

Oh! That makes perfect sense now.. I actually think I've been told this before but my memory is bad with small details like this lol I think that was a really cool move on Mick's part, absolutely love the name!

The term "legend" is (partially) defined as follows:



To paraphrase, one becomes a legend once one becomes the fodder for much prose and speculation- a person that peaks the curiosity of the populace and merits inclusion in our collective pop culture consciousness. In that vein, I think Stevie became a legend in 1977- right after Rumours. Lots of people are rock stars. Lots of people have bad breakups. But there are only a handful that fascinate us. The young, talented, beautiful, beguiling songstress who undergoes a nasty, public breakup with someone just as young, talented and beautiful = tabloid sensation. Nobody would care about her drama if her music was mediocre or if she was some kind of vapid poptart. But she was the total package that made people take notice- brains, beauty, talent. The instant success of her solo career is just the logical reaction to her already heady level of stardom.


Okay I change my mind about The Dance making her a Legend. Yes, it confirmed her legend status, but I like this - 1977. Everything you said makes total sense & if you look at someone like Lady Gaga, she's already a legend in my eyes. She's strong, powerful, all over the tabloids, has an incredible voice, is totally entertaining, stands up for everything good in the world, and has only been recording music for a couple years. Other than Elton john I can't really think of anyone off the top of my head who reached that big of a status that fast. So yeah, Stevie was definitely a legend as soon as Rumours ended because she was always gonna be remembered/admired for at least that.

[GoldDustOrphan]

Already hugely famous and successful, Stevie became a legend in 1982 when Gypsy hit the airwaves and TV screens because she accomplished something no one else ever had: she was the breakout solo star who didn't leave the band that made her famous. When Bella Donna hit #1 and spit out four top 40 singles, the expectation was that she'd leave FM behind, but she didn't follow the script. She maintained two huge careers concurrently.