Besides the drugs I think her ego got in the way of a more dominating music career. She's not alone so I am not picking on her exclusively. But few could not have big egos if you joined a band and rocketed to a band almost as big as the Rolling Stones for a time in the states. Then having exceeded everyone's expectations for a solo album. Everything Nicks was touching was turning to gold. Drugs definitely got in the way but so did ego and that ego allows artists to get lazy thinking they can just "phone it in."
Imagine if Bella Donna flopped and she needed Fleetwood Mac and stayed near them more in the 80s. Or imagine The Wild Heart flopping and she had a sophomore jinx with her solo career. Would it have grounded her so that she did not lose control. She was on top of the world in 1982. Platinum albums, radio hits, rock credentials, concerts, and she was a sex symbol. A coke addiction is a horrible thing. But I bet it was just as much ego that made her ditch recording studios or come 6 hours late for a mediocre performance.
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 My heart will rise up with the morning sun and the hurt I feel will simply melt away
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