Why was Stevie the breakout star?

[WildHearted]

I think Lindsey wanted it, in a way. Recognition, if nothing else.

Like others have said, the simple answer is charm. And that encompass a whole menagerie of qualities.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I saw a comment on youtube which made me think; why did Stevie Nicks have the most solo success out of all the Fleetwood Mac members?

The youtube comment was "If Lindsey's production was so brilliant, and a key reason why Fleetwood Mac was so popular, why wasn't his solo work the most successful?"

Which really struck me, I don't know why, but it just made me think... Why Stevie? Lindsey was the better musician, Christine the better singer, yet, Stevie was the most successful. She's the one who, even today, sparks the most interest from the media; and often gets the most recognition. I see Stevie refered to as the Queen of Rock and Roll, while no one else from Fleetwood Mac gets such an individual platitude. As a group, they might get called "Legendary" or some such, but, as solo artists, it's Stevie who gets all the adulation.

This isn't a Stevie vs Lindsey vs Christine thread or anything, I'm just rather curious as to why it was Stevie who was, and still is, the most popular, why she alone managed to sell multiple platinum records both within the confines of the group and as a solo star.

Because Lindsey like to experiment too much. He uses his solo career as a means to get experimentation out of his system. Stevie found a great producer, Jimmy Iovine, who was very commericial when it came to rockers. She wanted to be the breakout star anyway. She tried harder.

[caterwench]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

She was different. She didn't try to be one of the boys. She was the first feminen but strong female rock star. She created a character that was totally different. Lets face it, nothing about Stevie Nicks should work. She doesn't dress, sing or write songs like anyone. That is the magic of Stevie Nicks. If you think about, Kiss created a character, David Bowie had Ziggy Stardust. She was the only woman and she had the songs to back it up. Joni Mitchell seemed like she wanted no part of stardom. Janice Joplin almost seemed like a male and who would want her life. Tina was getting the crap knocked out of her. Carly and Carole King seemed uncomfortable with their stardom. Stevie owned hers.

Yes! She owned it. She is a Gemini with Aries rising. A true rock and roll ballerina. Beautiful and feminine, she also has a "very male" side to her. She has a corporate hook from her dad too. She loves what she does, wanted to be successful and accepted too. Her lyrics are quirky and whimsical, not always very feminine, but interesting to read and listen too. Her voice is truly unique, but not trained. She is a great determined performer and has stayed true to herself for close to 40 years. She is a unique lady who makes money by doing what she loves to do.

Add this to the FM unique and talented mix, someone has to come out on top. It's such a mix of talent, but I think that Stevie won the "performer" prize.

[wondergirl9847]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Lindsey focuses sooo much on technical perfection and takes a much more intellectual approach to his music that sometimes (esp a lot of the solo stuff) can come off as cold. Who can relate to lyrics like "reading the paper/read a review/said I was a visionary/but nobody knew?" versus something like "I still look up/when you walk in the room" or "don't say that she's pretty/and did you say that she loved you/baby I don't want to know"? Stevie just always, TO ME anyway, spoke to more universal experiences, things that everyone can relate to.

Oh Stevie's written plenty of stuff nobody but her can relate to.

Stevie has the IT factor that only certain people have. Add in her unique voice, cute, girly personality, rock and roll leanings, songwriting with all sorts of interesting influences, flowy, showy wardrobe, onstage mystery and bammo...you have a STAR! Not a cleaning lady. Hehe.

[jellyman10]

Originally Posted by MrStevie

Stevie is one hot Mama. It's a simple as that.

Oh, and she wanted it. Stevie's the only one who really wanted stardom. The others, except maybe Mick, didn't crave it like an addiction the way she did.

Wanted it and had what it took to get it. The rest of them just rode her coat-tails.

[caterwench]

Originally Posted by jellyman10

Wanted it and had what it took to get it. The rest of them just rode her coat-tails.

FM was around many years before Stevie. They rode each other.

[mikephxaz]

Most talented, uniqueness, sexuality, writing ability, story teller, sweetness, and did I mention most talented?
I'm not suggesting that all of the FM members didn't share the same qualities. Stevie just excelled at all the qualities.

[GoldDustWoman22]

I think that the main reason why Stevie became the most successful performer was her ability to connect with the audience. When you go to one of her shows you don't feel like you are in a crowd with a bunch of people. It is truly a moving experience that stays with you. Because she was able to make that bond with her fans early enough in her career, people were able to connect and stay with her throughout the years. I also feel that she is extremely personable and empathetic. She may be a bit jaded but she does have an ability to be extremely connected with her audience and others. From everything that I've seen I would totally want to hang out with her. She just seems like someone who you would meet and then instantly become friends with. She totally has the whole package of being a star but without the arrogance of someone like Lindsey Buckingham. As for Christine...I don't think Chris wanted to be the breakout star. I think she was perfectly happy sitting behind her piano and just singing her heart out. Which is great. But Stevie wanted more....and if there's anything I learned about Stevie through her interviews is that when she wants something...everyone better get out of the way. So she wanted it, worked hard and got it.

[MrStevie]

Originally Posted by GoldDustWoman22

I think that the main reason why Stevie became the most successful performer was her ability to connect with the audience. When you go to one of her shows you don't feel like you are in a crowd with a bunch of people. It is truly a moving experience that stays with you. Because she was able to make that bond with her fans early enough in her career, people were able to connect and stay with her throughout the years. I also feel that she is extremely personable and empathetic. She may be a bit jaded but she does have an ability to be extremely connected with her audience and others. From everything that I've seen I would totally want to hang out with her. She just seems like someone who you would meet and then instantly become friends with. She totally has the whole package of being a star but without the arrogance of someone like Lindsey Buckingham. As for Christine...I don't think Chris wanted to be the breakout star. I think she was perfectly happy sitting behind her piano and just singing her heart out. Which is great. But Stevie wanted more....and if there's anything I learned about Stevie through her interviews is that when she wants something...everyone better get out of the way. So she wanted it, worked hard and got it.

Amen.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by mikephxaz

Most talented, uniqueness, sexuality, writing ability, story teller, sweetness, and did I mention most talented?
I'm not suggesting that all of the FM members didn't share the same qualities. Stevie just excelled at all the qualities.

IMHO the two most overall talented members of Fleetwood Mac ever are Peter Green and Lindsey Buckingham.The thing that Stevie was able to do that no one in the band past or present was able to do nearly as well was to carve out a distinct personae that tied in with her first hit .Her music and image have since then complemented each other and that plus her connection with her audience accounts for her larger following to this day.She also had that indefinable asset known as star quality ..something that can't really be learned .bought or faked.

[bombaysaffires]

Originally Posted by GoldDustWoman22

But Stevie wanted more....and if there's anything I learned about Stevie through her interviews is that when she wants something...everyone better get out of the way. So she wanted it, worked hard and got it.

Yes. And she in many ways paid a high price to get it. Christine wasn't willing to give up everything else for that kind of fame.

[jellyman10]

Originally Posted by bombaysaffires

Yes. And she in many ways paid a high price to get it. Christine wasn't willing to give up everything else for that kind of fame.

Well, at this point in their lives, as far as we know, both Stevie and Christine are single and childless. So I'm not clear what Chris kept that Stevie was prepared to give up? I think they both passed on motherhood in favour of their career. Chris just retired earlier.

[BombaySapphire3]

Christine had her 'tubes tied" way back in the late 1970s.

[mikephxaz]

Originally Posted by BombaySapphire3

IMHO the two most overall talented members of Fleetwood Mac ever are Peter Green and Lindsey Buckingham.The thing that Stevie was able to do that no one in the band past or present was able to do nearly as well was to carve out a distinct personae that tied in with her first hit .Her music and image have since then complemented each other and that plus her connection with her audience accounts for her larger following to this day.She also had that indefinable asset known as star quality ..something that can't really be learned .bought or faked.

Sorry I have to disagree. Lindsey is a genius. There's no question of that but it seems to me that around the time of Tango In The Night he got stuck in his own head and never fully realized his own genius. The best thing Lindsey could have done is to do exactly what Stevie has recently done. Work with a new producer that can show him there are more than answers to a single question. You can see how Stevie started to make strides during TISL to expand her talents and now with IYD she has finally succeeded and got out of her own way. Lindsey now needs to step out from his rut and get out his own way.

[jellyman10]

Originally Posted by mikephxaz

The best thing Lindsey could have done is to do exactly what Stevie has recently done. Work with a new producer that can show him there are more than answers to a single question. You can see how Stevie started to make strides during TISL to expand her talents and now with IYD she has finally succeeded and got out of her own way. Lindsey now needs to step out from his rut and get out his own way.

Agree 100%.