[sulamith]

My first impressions of Stevie weren't so much about how she looked, although admittedly, she was really the most beautiful woman in Rock & Roll at that time, but it came not so much from her clothes and such. Like I said in another thread, in the 70's everybody wore shawls and shags, and incense and candles were hip acessories in practically every home.

So, I have to say that what makes her the perfect rock chick was her abiltiy to turn a phrase like no one else. Her lyrics were mystical and wispy, and they were performed with such emotion and reflection. They reached out of the grooves in the vinyl and grabbed my attention.

All I really had to go on for what she looked like for a number of years were album covers. I wasn't allowed to buy Rolling Stone and Creem magazine. My parents would have had horrors if I did that, and with no MTV in those days, all I had were the albums.
In a way that is good because it really let the music speak for itself, and I could form my own opinions.

Stevie's image and mystique have grown over the years because she never really let go of the 70's. She hung on to her shawls and platforms long after they were out of style, and she has never gotten rid of her lava lamps. I remember seeing the Seven Wonders video when I was in college, and I cringed at the sight of those platform boots! lol! "She's still wearing those? UGH!" I cried. I just didn't get it at the time.

I admire her now for being true to that spirit even when it wasn't cool like it is now. She still has that hippie-chick free spirit persona and I love it.

Watch, once this retro 70's trend is out Stevie will still be doing it just like always. Once everyone has gone on to the next trend, which I fear will be 80's big hair, she will still "go her own way."

Now that's a rock chick!

-Sharon