When did stevie become a ''legend''

[HejiraNYC]

The term "legend" is (partially) defined as follows:

6. a collection of stories about an admirable person.
7. a person who is the center of such stories: She became a legend in her own lifetime.

To paraphrase, one becomes a legend once one becomes the fodder for much prose and speculation- a person that peaks the curiosity of the populace and merits inclusion in our collective pop culture consciousness. In that vein, I think Stevie became a legend in 1977- right after Rumours. Lots of people are rock stars. Lots of people have bad breakups. But there are only a handful that fascinate us. The young, talented, beautiful, beguiling songstress who undergoes a nasty, public breakup with someone just as young, talented and beautiful = tabloid sensation. Nobody would care about her drama if her music was mediocre or if she was some kind of vapid poptart. But she was the total package that made people take notice- brains, beauty, talent. The instant success of her solo career is just the logical reaction to her already heady level of stardom.

[mike_nh]

you make a good point but.... back in 77 there was no mtv or music videos to be seen. I think the
first time anyone got to ''see'' stevie was in the SDMHA video or the gyspy video in 1982. Stevie
was always a rockstar since she joined mac in 1975 but as far as her making the jump for people to start using the term ''legend'' or ''icon'' had to be in the 90's with timespace or enchanted both were
greatest hits packages.

[mikephxaz]

Originally Posted by jellyman10

I agree - with the obvious proviso that she is very fortunate to have had her career arc in the era before papparazzi and mobile-phone videos etc. Although you could argue that if her problems had been exposed earlier, then they might not have gotten so serious. In fact, there was an interview with a boxer here in the UK recently, where he said that having his coke habit plastered all over the News of the World had, in retrospect, been the best thing that could have happened to him and may well have saved his life.

I certainly agree that the celebs of 70ties and 80ties werent subjected to as much scrutiny due to the recent age of the internet and I also think that your point is very interesting that, perhaps, if the spotlight had been shown on her addictions maybe she would have sought help earlier..I'm here in Phoenix, Stevie's hometown, and I have to say that even during Stevie's worst times she still kept her public image intact. There was a decade when she was subjected to some ridicule but she held it together and never sought out "easy" methods to put herself on the cover of the magazines...
I wish so much that she would get right back in the studio and put together a new solo cd...duets, acoustical, covers, original material...i don't care which...I think she is on the road to claiming a bigger legacy as a solo artist if she would....instead of running back into the studio with FM. I love her FM stuff but I wish she would release another solo cd of some genre and cement her solo legacy....just a thought

[jellyman10]

Originally Posted by mikephxaz

I'm here in Phoenix, Stevie's hometown, and I have to say that even during Stevie's worst times she still kept her public image intact. There was a decade when she was subjected to some ridicule but she held it together and never sought out "easy" methods to put herself on the cover of the magazines...

Cool. That's interesting that you were in Phoenix when she lived there during those times and felt she kept a pretty good image, all things considered.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by TrueFaith77

Yes, Silver Springs The Dance 1997

Bingo

[fringed n fab]

I think Stevie was deemed a legend long before 1997 with people. What The Dance did was introduce her to a whole younger generation of people who'd probably never been into or heard some of her/their stuff before or seen what she was like as a performer.

[Macfanforever]

The word legend make me feel old.If I was called a legend.yes I been hearing the press calling her a legend in the pass 15 or so years.

[PenguinHead]

Originally Posted by Artemis

I'd say around 1997-2001, when liking Stevie Nicks was no longer seen as social suicide, and people began to appreciate her talents more.

Love the term "social suicide!" So creatively communicative!

[TerraRhiannon]

Originally Posted by Livia

Mick came up w/ that. There's a painting by Matisse called "The Dance." It's five people holding hands and dancing in a circle. Mick thought the five represented the members of the band, aka the five links in "The Chain," etc.

Oh! That makes perfect sense now.. I actually think I've been told this before but my memory is bad with small details like this lol I think that was a really cool move on Mick's part, absolutely love the name!

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

The term "legend" is (partially) defined as follows:



To paraphrase, one becomes a legend once one becomes the fodder for much prose and speculation- a person that peaks the curiosity of the populace and merits inclusion in our collective pop culture consciousness. In that vein, I think Stevie became a legend in 1977- right after Rumours. Lots of people are rock stars. Lots of people have bad breakups. But there are only a handful that fascinate us. The young, talented, beautiful, beguiling songstress who undergoes a nasty, public breakup with someone just as young, talented and beautiful = tabloid sensation. Nobody would care about her drama if her music was mediocre or if she was some kind of vapid poptart. But she was the total package that made people take notice- brains, beauty, talent. The instant success of her solo career is just the logical reaction to her already heady level of stardom.

Okay I change my mind about The Dance making her a Legend. Yes, it confirmed her legend status, but I like this - 1977. Everything you said makes total sense & if you look at someone like Lady Gaga, she's already a legend in my eyes. She's strong, powerful, all over the tabloids, has an incredible voice, is totally entertaining, stands up for everything good in the world, and has only been recording music for a couple years. Other than Elton john I can't really think of anyone off the top of my head who reached that big of a status that fast. So yeah, Stevie was definitely a legend as soon as Rumours ended because she was always gonna be remembered/admired for at least that.

[GoldDustOrphan]

Already hugely famous and successful, Stevie became a legend in 1982 when Gypsy hit the airwaves and TV screens because she accomplished something no one else ever had: she was the breakout solo star who didn't leave the band that made her famous. When Bella Donna hit #1 and spit out four top 40 singles, the expectation was that she'd leave FM behind, but she didn't follow the script. She maintained two huge careers concurrently.