Stevie Shares Thoughts On Peter Jennings...

[EnchantedSLN]

August 7, 2005

As I’m sure you must know by now~ Peter Jennings died today. The night he told us on his news show that he had cancer~ I went straight to my desk and wrote him this letter. I thought I would share it with you.



Dear Peter Jennings~

My name is Stevie Nicks. Tonight I listened to you tell the world that you had lung cancer. As a studied singer – I heard your golden voice sound a little hoarse. I also heard in your voice that you were ready to go to war with it. That is good~ because cancer~ waits for no one. And you must win this battle, you see, because in many ways you are the soft reassuring voice that tells us everyday what is going on in our troubled world. We are not ready to give that voice up, and I feel that you are not ready to take it from us.

I don’t like the news very much. I was in New York on 9-11. I flew in from Toronto that Monday night to do a show in Rochester on Wednesday and Radio City on Friday. I went to sleep at 7:30am, and was awakened at 11am. The towers had fallen, no cars on the street, the world was changed, the angels cried. My shows were cancelled due to an act of war. (Not since Pearl Harbor…) Along with all the broken hearted I watched you and listened to you. I thought “this is the worst thing that happened in my whole life~” We were in classic ‘lock-down’ – at the Waldorf=Astoria, and your voice sang on. I marveled at your strength. You walked me through it.

I wanted to go home. I called my friend, Don Henley. He said, “If you can stand it, stay out there, take people’s minds off this tragedy, if just for a moment.” I called my parents. My mother said, “This is what you can do for your country, sing your songs to them, give them a little peace.” So I did- I stayed on the road until October~ The “Trouble in Shangri-La” Tour. The summer of 9-11~ and the voice of Peter Jennings. I would say, Peter is my favorite.

So, having said all that, I know that going through chemotherapy is a lot of time on an I.V.~ so I am sending you some music. The last CD~ Trouble in Shangri-La (oh yes…) being, I think, my little masterpiece. I think some of my songs might help you pass this time (and keep you dancing). Writing my songs is the first great love of my life, giving them to someone I think needs them~ is the second great love of my life.

…And even if at some point, you have to wear that fabulous~ Versace Bandana, you’ll still be the handsomest guy on T.V.

Thanks for all that you do~

Love,
Stevie Nicks



Last night, was the last night of my tour. We have been working since May~nonstop. We started in Las Vegas~ and we ended in Las Vegas. My father has been very ill for weeks. He fell the day after Reno~ and broke his leg. They were able, finally, to go in and fix it yesterday. Thank goodness~ he lived through the surgery. In all honesty, we didn’t think he would. So going on stage for the last 3 shows has been extremely difficult for me, Rise above it~ the show must go on~ or so say the circus people. Be positive. Believe in the angels. Believe he will get well. Believe that all those injured boys at Walter Reed will get well~ and believe that Peter Jennings and his golden voice will fight through his cancer and come back to us~ and make some sense out of this crazy world~ Well, sometimes things just aren’t meant to be. He was one of those special beings~ rare and beautiful~ one of the great ones~

I am so sad about this~
I simply ~
Adored him…

And~
If you smoke~
Please stop

[golden braid]

Stevie is so sweet. Her letters are really touching.

It's probably a good thing Stevie's tour is over so she can spend some more time with her father. I'm sure she was sad that he couldn't be at the Arizona show.

[amber]

Oh, my....thanks for posting. Very nice. Very nice indeed.

[sodascouts]

It's wonderful that Stevie cares enough to write to people and express sympathy. She has a kind heart and I love her. That said...

I truly hope this isn't what she sent to Peter Jennings because if it is, I'm embarrassed for her. This letter is incredibly self-absorbed. It's like "Let me comfort you by telling you about how I persevered after 911 with the help of my good friend Don Henley. Because you were my favorite newscaster on 911 and so telling you the tale of my heroic decision to continue sharing music with people to help them forget is totally meaningful."

Yikes, Stevie.

[SandyMac]

I am so saddend by the news of his passing. I grew up watching him on the news. He was my favorite news anchor. And his voice was very calm and reassuring even when reporting the most sad or horrendous news.

I fear for my sister every day because she smokes.

I have been crying off and on all day since I heard the news of him passing. He will be greatly missed. He was one of the great news reporters/news anchors of my generation.

Reading Stevie's journal entries made me cry again. It is almost like she conveyed my thoughts to Peter Jennings as well when I found out he had lung cancer.

Stevie is so caring and so giving.

I am so glad that Stevie's Dad pulled through the surgery alright. It's hard enough as it is to be at work while a relative goes through surgery let alone being on the road and need to focus on putting on a great show for the fans knowing that your Dad is not doing well. Kudos to Stevie and her Dad for pulling through this difficult time.

-Sandy

[Red]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

It's wonderful that Stevie cares enough to write to people and express sympathy. She has a kind heart and I love her. That said...

I truly hope this isn't what she sent to Peter Jennings because if it is, I'm embarrassed for her. This letter is incredibly self-absorbed. It's like "Let me comfort you by telling you about how I persevered after 911 with the help of my good friend Don Henley. Because you were my favorite newscaster on 911 and so telling you the tale of my heroic decision to continue sharing music with people to help them forget is totally meaningful."

Yikes, Stevie.

You know, I couldn't help but think the same thing. I know her intentions were nothing but pure, but it did come off as a little indulgent, as much about her as it is about him. I'm not trying to slam her here but she could have chosen her words a little differently.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by sodascouts

I truly hope this isn't what she sent to Peter Jennings because if it is, I'm embarrassed for her. This letter is incredibly self-absorbed.

Admittedly, it does sound more than just a little self-absorbed... however, I think Stevie was trying to convey her mindset and fears during that time period, and how it directly related to the reassuring effect Peter Jennings' newscasts had on her and the rest of the nation.

Instead of the typical, "I think you're an ace newscaster and I hope you pull through," she expressed how he touched her life directly, and how it was a combination of things... which included him... that helped her move forward after 9/11.

Of course, I'm sure she's still going to get slammed for the way she expressed that!

[estranged4life]

Originally Posted by SandyMac

I fear for my sister every day because she smokes.

cause I give **** to my older brother Geary all the time since Mom made him promise to quit smoking, So I toss that request Mom made at him all the time since Mom is no longer here to do it herself (And I did the same to my older sis Lesa today...I'm such a mean f**k, ).

Hope they quit because I dont want to have to bury anymore family members in my lifetime.

[desertangel]

At the risk of sounding "self-absorbed"...

I'm sitting here and tears are absolutely pouring down my face. I've been an on/off smoker since age 13. Never a heavy smoker. I guess it doesn't matter. For the last several months I've had sores inside my mouth and on my tounge. The doctors are saying it's probably nothing but they prefer for me to quit smoking, period... forever. When they told me this, I freaked out and kept smoking my "one cigarette each night before I go to bed." And now this... I am taking this public and professing from here on out, I will do what Stevie says and stop smoking, forever. I pray it's not "too late."

[Gypsy-Rhiannon]

I hope Stevie's Dad is feeling better. Good to hear he survived the operation.

Pip

[SandyMac]

Originally Posted by desertangel

At the risk of sounding "self-absorbed"...

I'm sitting here and tears are absolutely pouring down my face. I've been an on/off smoker since age 13. Never a heavy smoker. I guess it doesn't matter. For the last several months I've had sores inside my mouth and on my tounge. The doctors are saying it's probably nothing but they prefer for me to quit smoking, period... forever. When they told me this, I freaked out and kept smoking my "one cigarette each night before I go to bed." And now this... I am taking this public and professing from here on out, I will do what Stevie says and stop smoking, forever. I pray it's not "too late."

You Go Girl !!! I am behind you and support you. I know it is hard, but it will be worth it. Stevie does usually say at the end of her shows "to be well" so we can do this again. I have started to take my weight loss more seriously now seeing how thin and sexy Stevie is. I am only 36 and need to loose 30-35 pounds. It doesn't sound a lot, but I am only 5' 2" and that extra 30 pounds does not sit well on my small frame.

-Sandy

[desertangel]

Originally Posted by SandyMac

You Go Girl !!! I am behind you and support you. I know it is hard, but it will be worth it. Stevie does usually say at the end of her shows "to be well" so we can do this again. I have started to take my weight loss more seriously now seeing how thin and sexy Stevie is. I am only 36 and need to loose 30-35 pounds. It doesn't sound a lot, but I am only 5' 2" and that extra 30 pounds does not sit well on my small frame.

-Sandy

Hey Sandy!! Thank you sooo much. It's scarey... I HAVE to do it. If ever there was a time for getting serious, it's now. Hey, I'm 5'2 and was 30 pounds overweight in Jan. I've lost 15 so far. The first 10 came off with diet alone, the other 5 was real slow to come off. The next 15 will probably have to exercise more (oh no, not that) to get it off. So I know what you mean about a "few" pounds on a small frame. Seems for most people its kinda slow to start (about a month,) but once your body starts to expell the fat, you feel encouraged and can make some real progress. Okay, I'm sending you good vibes for your weight loss. Hang in there, whatever you do!! WE CAN DO THIS! Stevie is our inspiration!

Take care,
Laura

[BombaySapphire3]

originally posted by sodascouts I truly hope this isn't what she sent to Peter Jennings because if it is, I'm embarrassed for her. This letter is incredibly self-absorbed.

Stevie Nicks self-absorbed! How could you ever come up with a notion like that?!

[GODDESS6]

self absorbed or not, i thought it was a wonderful gesture, & very sweet~ i love her for writing that~ whata a special woman, but we all knew that didn't we?, that is why we love her~

[Kelly]

Ummmmm, I hate to even address this because Stevie's letters should be the focus...but Stevie has always been self absorbed. If you have been a fan for any length of time, you know that. She lives in a world where everyone around her makes Stevie the focal, centerpoint. She is catered to. Is that her fault? Does that make it hard to identify with the normal person? Probably. I realize Stevie has tons of YES people around her. She also doesn't have the normal day to day struggles most women have. (kids, carpools, lunchmoney, homework, work, doing out OWN hair) Of course her focus is narrowed inward. So what...It doesn't change the fact that she has a huge heart. She gave her time to go visit soldiers. She gave her time to write a letter to Peter, even if you don't like how she expressed herself. She was out on the road while her Dad is dying...not for money...because she had to be.

I love the letters and am happy and relieved her Dad made it through surgery. It must be a tremendous relief to be able to be near him at this time. I hope Stevie can cope with whatever happens.

BTW..the "don't smoke" part made me crack up. With all the stress Stevie is under, I cannot imagine a pack of Kools is far away. Hopefully, Peter's death will wake her up about that.