Why is Stevie so much bigger then her female peers
 

I'm talking about people like Heart, Blondie and Pat Benatar. Even you personally feel any of those people were better or are better then Stevie (even I have to admit all three have maintained their voices better) The facts still remain that Stevie consistently plays in large amphitheatres while charging double what those other female rockers are and they're all generally playing much smaller venues at cheaper prices. Heart and {at Benatar songs are all over the radio as much if not more then Stevie, so why is the demand for Stevie so much higher?

Fleetwood Mac

She actually had two successful careers, the others did not. Deborah Harry's solo career pretty much bombed. And Nicks style is totally original. It's a trademark that is hard to forget. Plus, the others aren't really championed as much by current artist such as Courtney Love or Sheryl Crow.

I will get back to you about this tomorrow... So Lame,

Donnie Wayne ~

Because she is Stevie!:angel:

This is actually a great question, I could use this info in my media project :D

Debbie Harry isn't championed by current artists?

Come on, that's definitely not true. Acts like Santogold, Gwen Stefani, The Ting Tings even Madonna, all namecheck and say they are influenced by her.

I was going to make the exact same post. :xoxo:

As much as I like the music of Blondie/Debbie Harry, Heart and Pat (though these days not so much Heart and Pat as much as I used to), I find Stevie to be the most talented out of the bunch. Also, Stevie definitely connected to people in a way I find the other ladies did not. Stevie has more of an emotional connection, and at the end of the day, that is what lasts and has lasted.

As far as hearing the other songs on the radio as much as Stevie, “if not more”, I question that. I do not hear Heart and Pat as much as I do Stevie. There are at least 4 solo songs of Stevie that still get airplay on the radio (and not just classic rock stations) Stop Draggin’, Leather and Lace, Edge of Seventeen and Stand Back. Once in a while I may hear “Talk To Me” but not as much as the 4 I listed. Pat has only 2 radio staples in my opinion, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Love Is A Battlefield.” For Heart, I only ever hear “These Dreams” and “Alone.” However, on classic rock stations of course they play more. Also, if you look at the span of these ladies careers, Stevie has lasted longer. From the time she came out with the Mac, she has had a good 12 years of mainstream success, 1975-1987. Only with 1989’s Mirror did the chart success start to decline. Blondie only had about a good 5 years of hits if I’m not mistaken and Debbie’s solo career went nowhere. I’d say Heart lasted almost as long as Stevie (though they had a lull period from 81-84 then came back with “corporate rock” and had 3 more hit albums. Pat came out when, 1979? Her success stalled around 1985 … she had one top 40 single in 1989 but then that was it. Since then, Stevie has been the only that can still sell respectable #’s. Even if TISL didn’t sell like hotcakes, it still debuted at #5. When the last time was any of these ladies had an album on the charts?

OK, that was a long ramble!

This is a great question and I've wondered about it myself.
My theory is that it's the emotional connection people make to Stevie. Her performing and songwriting style is intensely personal, mystical, dramatic. She has created her own mythology through her songs -- of ghosts, Welsh witches and angels. That stuff creates real intrigue and interest and has amassed her a fiercely devoted cult of followers eager to hear what she'll come up with next.
By contrast, singers like Pat Benatar, the women of Heart, and Debbie Harry generally chose much more mainstream material and approached it in a more straightforward way. In short, Stevie has a much stronger cult of personality.

mahahahahaha.

When I read the title of this post I thought "oh man, not ANOTHER "Stevie is SO fat" thread!

Too much fried chicken.

Omg nice sig!

My first thought was Fleetwood Mac. Second, her deeply personal songs you can just connect to. Third, that unique voice that just calls out to you and draws you in. Fourth, her image. She was fearless in creating a really unique rock and roll gypsy/ballerina image that is hers and hers alone. Fifth, she aligned herself with and played nice with the boys.

She does to you. But a Pat Benatar fan has a bigger emotional connection to Pat Benatar.

you stole my answer.

:mad:

Maybe I'm wrong, but can't imaging many Pat Benatar's fans having an "emotional connection." Stevie connected with her fans in a unique way, starting with Fleetwood Mac and reinforcing it with a successful solo career.

There's so many factors that have contributed to Stevie's success and longevity.

1.) The soap opera aspect of Fleetwood Mac.
2.) The MUSIC and SUCCESS of Fleetwood Mac.
3.) A successful solo career
4.) The fact that she has had success with Fleetwood Mac AND solo, late in her career. The Dance (huge success), TISL (moderate success), as well as various #1 dance hits in the last few years.
5.) The fact that Stevie's lyrics were unique, as were her style and voice.

Tell that to the Benatar fans.

What was so unique about it? I don't understand. I used to be a big fan of Rickie Lee Jones, & her fans always interacted with Rickie Lee's life & work in much the same way as I saw Stevie's fans interact with hers.

You guys are treading dangerous waters if you're saying that the fans of other beloved singers don't get as emotional as you do.

Yes David, to me she does. I should have been clearer. While Pat fans surely have an emotional connection to Pat, what I meant to convey is that Stevie seems to have had more of an impact on the public as a whole, more so than the other ladies mentioned, which is why I feel she has lasted longer (or at least there seems to be more of an interest in her) over the other ladies.

The early bird gets my worm :wavey:

i don't think i would have any chance of getting your worm, unless i were holding a pair of revlon angled tweezers. :eek:

Pat Benatar & Blondie have teamed-up for a handful of shows this summer.

What a fantasy double-bill.

They perform here in Boston in August at the Bank of America Pavilion, the same venue Stevie performed at last summer.

Stevie is fortunate enough to have hits with Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist.

Blondie had quite a few hits, but Debbie Harry's solo work didn't catch on with the public. Debbie's first solo album KooKoo was pretty cool and sold 500,000 copies, but didn't have any hit singles. Blondie's music is very eclectic and the band's style and popularity had faded away by the mid 1980s. I still don't think Blondie gets the credit they deserve.

I love Pat Benatar, but I don't feel that much of an emotional connection with her music. Her early work is more in-your-face rock and roll. It makes you wanna put your fist in the air and just rock out. She faded out as well by the late 1980s.

Stevie and Fleetwood Mac have always managed to be unique while still being commercial enough to sell records/tickets and keep their popularity.

I think that Stevie's music calls to outsiders and people who feel like they are misunderstood. Her music is a welcome escape and they don't forget her.

:laugh: Perfect.


Just from a UK perspective, I actually wouldn't say Stevie is a 'bigger' star than Debbie Harry nor Heart. In particular, Debbie has an iconic status over here. In highstreet stores (ie Topshop) they even sell t-shirts with her likeness on them and most young people are familiar with her, and her music. I don't know many people under 30 over here who are familiar with Stevie or her work. Blondie still play huge venues over here, the Mac nor Stevie haven't played the UK for years.

Lets see.....I really like Heart & Pat Benatar and Debbie....than I could also add to that mix--Annie Lennox or Natalie Merchant.....I'd say they all have had there moments in the spotlight so to speak. I'd also say (I'd put Stevie here solo & with Mac)....most all of these artists appeal has dimmed .....even Stevie's has. No artist (solo) or group can stay on top forever....all have had dips in there careers. Plus new artists come up & take the spotlight away from the older artists...thats the way it is. I don't think this makes Stevie a better artist either. Besides Stevie I like those artists mentioned above (and of course many others--not just female rockers either Rock groups other singers).....Although I do think other than the release of TISL and SYW....we have really no new music from Stevie. I personally don't count CV or the new live cd/dvd either cause well most of its rehashed of old hits.....I think if Stevie had released 'new' stuff more often....it might be different.....So yes I may love Stevie's music solo and with Mac but that doesn't make other artists just as important to me. Though I may not 'collect' them like I have Stevie.....that doesn't negate there importance on the music scene as well. Anyway, thats just an opinion.....no offence at all. I like alot of music like I'm sure everyone here does....I just don't want my love for Stevie's music to cloud my judgement & to say she's the end all and be all of music. Alot of artists came before her and alot will and have come after her. I guess I want to be realistic about it all.....it is what it is.....:shrug:

This is a GREAT question!!!

This is only my opinion.......

Debbie Harry was into punk which really didn't take off.

Pat Benetar is awesome . I just don't think she put herself "out there" as much as Stevie.

Stevie has put 100% out there for her fans. (Nothing against Pat Benetar taking a break to have a family---that's great!) However, Stevie really did give up realtionships and family to keep her whole life to this career.
~Stevie is very feminine with her beautiful lace and chiffon and created a lovable , reliable look that many of us are very attracted to. She eminates strength yet vulnerabitly in her prescence.

Unlike Deborah Harry or Pat Benatar, who i think are great artists btw, Stevie has the ability to release those kinds of albums under her control and specifications because her career spans about 4 decades, and she wasn't just a staple of only one generation of music.

Oh , I forgot about Heart. HMMMM.....that's a real mystery. Those girls are really talented! I don't have an answer why Stevie is more popular than they are except for maybe Stevie still tours ?

Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham.....

These 4 people helped her as much as she helped them...

Heart still tours- they just play 2500 capacity venues while Stevie plays 5000-7500.

Did Heart ever have an album that was the best selling album of all time? Heck, even one of Heart's biggest hits was a Stevie Nicks reject.

I have a Blondie t-shirt from Topshop :laugh:



Amen to that. Plus does everyone who goes to a Stevie concert have a deep, emotional connection with her, or do many just remember and love Stand Back etc? I think the Fleetwood Mac part of the equation, coupled with her solo career, is the reason for her continued success for sure.

I love Pat Benatar's music and always will, but the fact that Stevie is connected with Fleetwood Mac I think is the real reason she is more popular over the life span of their careers. I mean the Fleetwood Mac machine is huge when it gets geared up.

Image is another factor. Time and time again, I hear that Stevie is a woman that many men would love to date.. and many women want to be - (feminine yet strong)

I love Pat's lyrics but Stevie just has this way of weaving in stories that make your imagination go on overdrive... combine the lyrics with the voice and bam, I am hooked.

Both ladies are extremely talented, but think the whole "mystery" behind Stevie's personality and image have helped Stevie maintain her legend status over the years.
It is like her reputation precedes her and Stevie is larger than life.

Stevie has also had duets with other successful guys over the years, which helps promote her music. I mean Tom Petty fans are familiar with Stevie as well as Don Henley and Kenny Loggins fans etc...

I have never heard anyone talk about Heart, Pat Benatar, etc. with the vehement emotion (good or bad) that I have heard many use with La Nicks. That leads me to conclude that La Nicks connects with people on a different and stronger level than the others. I think that connection has lasted through the years. Of course the other women have a strong connection with their fans. I just do not think it is on the same level as the one La Nicks maintains and maintained for 30 years with many more people.

Note - the other girls are, for the most part, far more talented than La Nicks, at least vocally - and I love all of them. And, they have maintained that, whereas La Nicks has not had the voice that produced Dreams since like 1979. I am just saying that La Nicks seems to connect on a celestial level to many more people and that connection stayed.

I also think La Nicks rather cleverly cultivated superior talent and used it in a way that enhanced her. She also kept a certain panache of secrecy about her. Finally, she was mysterious and sex on a stick - which goes a long way.

Have you heard the Rickie Lee Jones fans swear eternal love for their beboppin' muse? Have you heard the Kate Bush fans gush over their goddess? Those Hammer horrors mark each major segment of their lives in terms drawn from Kate's ethos. At age 8, they draw pictures of Kate with crayons & butcher paper, & by age 25, they're writing their doctoral dissertation about the symbolism of the lily in her late-period compositions.

Besides, I think your dismissal of Heart & Benatar fans as less starry-eyed than Stevie fans is facile & insubstantially experienced. It took me all of 18 seconds to track down rabid Heart fans on the Internet. See what these folks have to say about their idols:

http://mstralwind.net/AFW/?page_id=71

Let's quote from the above:

"It is always at times like this, on the cusp of yet another amazing Heart experience, when I sit back and reflect (much to the irritation of some of you on the board) on what it means to be a Heart fan and how their music has touched my life. This past year has been one of the most difficult in my life, and once again, like a trusty old friend, Heart has been there to help me survive it. And while I know music can’t change things, it sure helps to take a break from it all for just a little bit as I sit back and escape into the majesty of Heart’s music and all things Ann and Nancy Wilson. Seeing them in concert during such tumultuous times feels like they are islands of shelter in the stormy waters of my life."

As I said, it took me no time at all to find examples like this of starry-eyed love, as gushy & genuinely felt as any ever shown to Stevie Nicks.

If that's what you see overall, conclude what you will. But isn't it really hard to quantify this sort of thing?

^^

Oh - I readily agree there are people gaga over Heart, Bentar, and the like. I still love them.

But, there just seem to be more people ga ga over La Nicks. Maybe that, and her staying power in terms of comparative popularity (unlike the others, La Nicks is still a comparative superstar) - lead me to the conclusion that although the others have their confirmed fans that you noted - La Nicks just seems to be on another level.

But, this is all my opinion and, again, the others certainly are popular.

Other than myself...no one in my family , friends or at work talk about Stevie in any way shape or form....probably if I didn't play her at work sometimes...most people would say Stevie who?? One person at work said she was no better of a role model ....to young girls that is (her life etc...)long story....anyway....just some thoughts.....so whom is going gaga over Stevie. I don't really hear anything on TV? So what am I missing?? Just wondering......:shrug::confused:

:nod:

Debbie Harry is iconic in the UK because she's edgy and raw, and she became a leader of a very male orientated scene. She's an inspiration to many women because she stands for rebellion in it's most recognised form - loud music, edgy clothes, brash attitude. Stevie sang about the wild heart, well, I always thought Debbie Harry was the wild heart. Blondie was one of the first bands from the US to do the whole New Wave/Punk scene, and make it in the UK. So, she'll always have one up on Stevie here in the UK.

Stevie, on the other hand - though no less talented - is in the same vein as Heart and Pat Benatar, musically- she comes from a very long line of female rock/pop singers. And when she first appeared, what exactly separated her from the rest of her contemporaries? Some would argue her music isn't as 'pure', or as profound as Joni Mitchell's. Some would say she isn't as raw as Janis Joplin. She's not as consistant as Ann Wilson. She's not as edgy as Debbie Harry. She's not as brash as Grace Slick.

So, what makes her 'bigger' than these women? Well, personally, I think it's the mysticism of her. I think she has a very spiritual following. And it's her image. That plays a huge part, too. How many people would still be Stevie fans if she hadn't used the whole 'Rhiannon', ethereal, flowing chiffon uniform? Would she still get as much attention if she's just carried on from that first tour in '75 and worn her 'regular' clothes? Much of what Stevie's known for is what she wears - her boots, her dresses, her hair, etc. And that's what makes her different. Her boots are dated, her dresses aren't particularly edgy or contemporary, and she's had more or less the same hair style since '76. She's never tried to be comtemporary. Even way back when. Her look came from a different time, and a different era. But I see this as her rebellion. She's never going to try and be anyone other than herself, and herself is not someone who will cut her hair, or who'll wear flats. Her dresses won't ever be simple, and she'll never have a lack of scarves. This is her way of saying, 'f*ck you, this is my look and it's staying'. She'll never conform to what everyone else considers beauty - she'll always dress for mystery, to keep mystery sexy and to keep herself 'hidden', so to speak. She's rebelled in a very different and subtle way, and she's brought femininity to rock and roll, and she's made it sexy. And this appeals to a lot of people. It's given her a longevity.

Bingo!:thumbsup:

I like many other people don't give a SHAT about what the UK thinks. Harry was beautiful and yes, edgy and that' s why she was such a hit. However, Blondie is not in Fleetwood Mac or Heart's league when it comes to musicality. They get props for being grundge, but as a whole, there albums aren't that good. They did have some major hit singles are hard to forget. That is why they are remembered. Well, that and Harry's beauty.

One thing people forget, Nicks songs are being recorded over and over again and by artists from different genres.

I'm not quite sure why people like Harry and Patti Smith are given extra kudos for playing at CBGBs. Way overrated.

I agree with this post.