Why was Stevie the breakout star?

Artemis · #1 02-18-2011, 07:53 AM

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.

CADreaming · #2 02-18-2011, 08:04 AM

Sex appeal. Out of the three she was the one who was most marketable. Stevie was the weak link, if you will and she was courted as such. The reason I say weak link - Lindsey was not into helping her craft her songs so much by the late '70s and since she was the one in front strutting it, I think Christine & Lindsey both sorta rolled their eyes at her a bit. It wasn't unnoticed by people who could make money off her. When she was approached, she went for it. She was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some good, solid people in the early stages. In Jimmy Iovine, she had a great producer and she had great backing musicians and they created a perfect sound for her. It paid off, giving her chart success. MTV came along during this time too and I think her videos were in heavy rotation. Stevie was able to keep her face and name out there by doing both gigs. Smart, smart move.

Christine was never interested in being a solo artist enough to really make a go of it, but I think she could have.

Lindsey was not interested in making mainstream music enough to have made his solo career more successful. But, he totally could have.

In the end, I think it is more fun to be in a band and easier. A lot of the pressure is off and you can lean on the strength of others more. But, Stevie likes to be on the road so she gets to go out as much as she wants having when the Mac isn't touring. She's got a pretty sweet deal really.

JohnL · #3 02-18-2011, 08:43 AM

Well I dont agree with part of your comment above. I believe that Stevie is the best singer in Fleetwood Mac. She may not have that smooth honey voice but her voice has always been the most interesting and unique. To me, that is what make someone stand out in the crowd. That along with her being smokin hot. lol

HejiraNYC · #4 02-18-2011, 09:29 AM

Well, as someone who witnessed Stevie's stardom in "real time," I think that she, as well as any of the other notably successful performers of the past, was basically in the right place at the right time with the right product. What Stevie managed to do was to completely distinguish herself from her rocking female peers. She wasn't a chick trying to act like a dude. She wasn't trying to paint herself in neon colors and call herself "new wave." She was a woman who wanted to rock hard, but only on her own terms- as an uber-feminine goddess who could bat her eyelashes at you whilst kicking you to the curb with one of her platform boots. She's always played up this kind of duality- a mash-up of genres and stereotypes. She was the ditzy blonde who was a terrific songwriter with an intense artistic side. She introduced chiffon, lace and shawls to rock and roll. She was Victorian hippie chic. She looked like a porcelain angel but had this throbbing, smokey, expressive voice, the likes of which nobody had heard before. In the early 80s she became the "it" girl- the antidote to disco divas, sappy ballad singers and schmaltz. She was an original; there has been nobody before or since who could write songs or sing like Stephanie Lynn Nicks.

By contrast, I don't think Lindsey had as much to offer as a solo artist. A male guitarist and songwriter singing pop songs. Hmm... okay. His early singles like "Trouble" and "Holiday Road" were pleasant and catchy enough, but there was nothing else about him that was particularly engaging from an artistic standpoint. He has never been a great lyric writer. He has never come across as being particularly open or likeable as a person. There was nothing about him that distinguished him from the crowd other than the fact that he was that dude who sings in Fleetwood Mac. This is a man who is at his best when he works with others who can broaden his artistic vision (much like Stevie), but as a solo artist he is insular and doesn't seem to be aware of his own limitations. There is no doubt in my mind that with the right set of songs and the right collaborators, Lindsey could have been a much bigger solo artist.

Christine is... Christine. She was very, very good at what she did- writing songs and playing keyboards. But as a vocalist she tends to disappear among the throngs of belters and octave-leaping wailers. She has just about the most beautiful tone of any singer I've ever heard, but she doesn't seem to be able to do very much with it, which is perfectly fine with me. But to the world at large her music comes across as "dull." And to be honest her public persona is dull too. She is intensely guarded about her personal life and she doesn't come across as being particularly warm and inviting, especially on stage. If anything, she has the kind of dry British humor that some will get and others will find off-putting or aloof. She's never been particularly engaging as a live performer and she has never been a show(wo)man. She has never shown a hunger for stardom and her lack of commercial success as a solo artist is the consequence.

mitzo · #5 02-18-2011, 10:14 AM

Stevie was different, unique, and had a voice and style that had never been seen before - the songs were odd, opaque, with hooks and lyrics and structures that were unlike anything we had encountered, but were engaging. The voice was raw, untrained, conforming to no standards of female vocal stylings, and yet capable of expressing a lot with very little. She conveyed a very different type of femininity, a kind of lost and haunted yet in-your-face combination of weakness and strength, frailty and power, using a broken voice to sing songs full of cryptic and abstract images that somehow managed to make sense at a subconscious level. For a while, she really did it her way, went against the grain, and managed to change the public perception of how a female pop artist can possess allure and mystique. All that started to sag later on, but at the beginning, she was something totally fresh. This is my personal take on why I became fascinated with her from the start, although she has really tested my faith with a lot of her solo work, and her sparse output over time, for sure.

KarmaContestant · #6 02-18-2011, 10:48 AM

As Ru Paul would say, Stevie used her...

Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve & Talent

...to ensure she was the breakout star.

bluefox4000 · #7 02-18-2011, 10:54 AM

In those days. She was just so different, and engaging.....Totally unique

Mick

AnthonyMI · #8 02-18-2011, 10:59 AM

nicer boobs than Christine? She was the girl every guy dreamed of and every girl wanted to be?

Pyewacket · #9 02-18-2011, 12:50 PM

Her voice is not great technically speaking, but it is incredibly unique and expressive and cut through the music rather than floating on top of it. No one else sounds like her. Combine that with her "getup" (the shawls, the mystery, the witchiness, the sexiness) and more than a modicum of talent in songwriting, and she was already set to be the standout in 1975.

Even back in the day when I was 10 and Fleetwood Mac was on the radio, it was "Dreams" that I liked the best. I love the other songs and Christine and Lindsey's solo output, but neither ever gave me the feeling of urgency that I needed to a) buy it right now or b) discover more about them.

As Tori Amos once sang, "is her power all in her club sandwich?" Yes. Stevie had the meat, the cheese, the lettuce, the whole stack.

Christopher · #10 02-18-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyewacket

Her voice is not great technically speaking, but it is incredibly unique and expressive and cut through the music rather than floating on top of it. No one else sounds like her. Combine that with her "getup" (the shawls, the mystery, the witchiness, the sexiness) and more than a modicum of talent in songwriting, and she was already set to be the standout in 1975.

Even back in the day when I was 10 and Fleetwood Mac was on the radio, it was "Dreams" that I liked the best. I love the other songs and Christine and Lindsey's solo output, but neither ever gave me the feeling of urgency that I needed to a) buy it right now or b) discover more about them.

As Tori Amos once sang, "is her power all in her club sandwich?" Yes. Stevie had the meat, the cheese, the lettuce, the whole stack.

Pretty much sums it up succinctly.

sorcerer999 · #11 02-18-2011, 06:37 PM

I still like to think of it in terms of "the meek shall inherit the Earth"...

Stevie waited tables, cleaned houses, as well as a variety of odd jobs supporting Lindsey's ass for YEARS!

I like to think of it as karma paying off for her hard work.

This, of course, is just my opinion. There are thousands of more logical reasons why she was the breakout star, I'm sure.

Nikolaj · #12 02-19-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

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.

Interesting question, Artemis. First, while you may be correct in your assessment, I disagree- I believe that SN is a superior singer to Christine, and actually, by far. I think many people may agree with you on that point, however- so, to each their own. I don't know that there's a correct answer to that particular question, really.
I think SN's being the breakthrough 'star of Fleetwood Mac' comes down to the much-used and sometimes maligned phrase 'star quality'. She just had it. Has it. While there are many pretty and/or beautiful women singers, it's less common to encounter a charismatic stage presence, and SN had charisma to burn. It's generally (maybe?) thought of as a male trait, charisma, but SN had it, every bit as much in her own way, as did Jim Morrison. - From this little chick- which made it all the more astounding.
Like Motown producer Suzanne DePasse once said of somebody else, regarding star quality, it is hard to define, you can't bottle it, but you know it when you see it and know when someone has it, and they have it even on their worst night.
The ability of Stevie Nicks to command attention amidst the great musicians in Fleetwood Mac with her presence alone was a big factor- add in her unique voice, sexy vibe, and at the time, a totally original stage persona rock audiences loved- and there is part of the answer to your question. Also, 'Rhiannon' as a centerpiece of Fleetwood Mac's 70's concerts was pretty darned smart of SN, along with all else that was great about the song, it was unique in creating a character: While not an actress, Stevie created a character with Rhiannon and was able to disappear completely into 'her' and the two became one, and few female singers at that point had taken that approach to being a rock singer. Rhiannon, I think, made Stevie a star, at first. Janis Joplin never had a character other than herself in her songs, she was Janis singing 'Piece of My Heart' or 'Ball and Chain'- Stevie Nicks morphed into 'Rhiannon' and created a persona in that one song that was different than her Stevie Nicks persona singing along to 'Over My Head' or 'You Make Loving Fun' or 'Station Man'-- so audiences felt like they were getting both Stevie Nicks in her ensemble work singing backup, and then this space-goddess-chick, an alter-ego who would come to life during 'Rhiannon' and blow everyone away.
She just had it.

Artemis · #13 02-19-2011, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikolaj

I believe that SN is a superior singer to Christine, and actually, by far.

I'd say Stevie's got the more interesting and unique voice out of her and Christine, although Christine might be a technically "better" singer if that makes sense? I just wrote that in my intro post because I was trying to appear as unbiased as possible

As it's 5am, I won't elaborate now, but, I'll post my thoughts on this tomorrow, I've been thinking about it a lot since I made the thread

(how sad is that?)

Nikolaj · #14 02-19-2011, 12:33 AM

^Context, Artemis, Context!

Your one sentence you partially quoted from me was the least significant to me in what I put a lot of thought into! It kind of figures and serves me right! You think these words just happen?

I have now bolded what was actually the point of me answering you, which was not to debate whether SN or CM was the 'better' singer! That is in the ear of the beholder, and like I wrote, you may be correct!

While contemplating what you wrote, I tried to answer your question, and actually, think I nailed it. 'Charisma' is the answer, to narrow it down to one word. 'Creating a character' in 'Rhiannon' separate from what she did when singing with the rest of the band expounds somewhat on that.
It happens to me all the time, so, of course, quote whatever you like- and thanks for the thread! Bolded below is what I choose to point out is the reason why I wanted to respond to your query.

Interesting question, Artemis. First, while you may be correct in your assessment, I disagree- I believe that SN is a superior singer to Christine, and actually, by far. I think many people may agree with you on that point, however- so, to each their own. I don't know that there's a correct answer to that particular question, really.
While there are many pretty and/or beautiful women singers, it's less common to encounter a powerhouse charismatic stage presence, and SN had charisma to burn. It's generally thought of as a male trait, charisma, but SN had it, every bit as much in her own way, as did Jim Morrison. - From this little chick- which made it all the more astounding.
The ability of Stevie Nicks to command attention amidst the great musicians in Fleetwood Mac with her presence alone was a big factor- add in her unique voice, sexy vibe, and at the time, a totally original stage persona rock audiences just loved- and there is part of the answer to your question. Also, 'Rhiannon' as a centerpiece of Fleetwood Mac's 70's concerts was pretty darned smart of SN, along with all else that was great about the song, it was unique in creating a character: While not an actress, Stevie created a character with Rhiannon and was able to disappear completely into 'her' and the two became one, and few female singers at that point had taken that approach to being a rock singer. Rhiannon, I think, made Stevie a star, at first. Stevie Nicks morphed into 'Rhiannon' and created a persona in that one song that was different than her Stevie Nicks persona singing along to 'Over My Head' or 'You Make Loving Fun' or 'Station Man'-- so audiences felt like they were getting both Stevie Nicks in her ensemble work with the band with her singing backup, and then this space-goddess-chick, an alter-ego would come to life during 'Rhiannon' and blow everyone away.
She just had it.

Brad · #15 02-19-2011, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorcerer999

Stevie waited tables, cleaned houses, as well as a variety of odd jobs supporting Lindsey's ass for YEARS!

Stevie loves bringing this up to play the martyr. Give me a break. Neither of their families was by any means hurting for money, so I seriously doubt she was "supporting" anyone. At best, she probably waited tables a few days a week to supplement their monthly allowances from mom and dad for their pot habit.

I know that's not exactly the topic at hand, but I've always found this story of hers to be very annoying and worthy of an eye roll.