Why is Stevie so much bigger then her female peers

[trackaghost]

Originally Posted by Cornflake Girl

Just from a UK perspective, I actually wouldn't say Stevie is a 'bigger' star than Debbie Harry nor Heart. In particular, Debbie has an iconic status over here. In highstreet stores (ie Topshop) they even sell t-shirts with her likeness on them and most young people are familiar with her, and her music. I don't know many people under 30 over here who are familiar with Stevie or her work. Blondie still play huge venues over here, the Mac nor Stevie haven't played the UK for years.

I have a Blondie t-shirt from Topshop

Originally Posted by David

You guys are treading dangerous waters if you're saying that the fans of other beloved singers don't get as emotional as you do.

Amen to that. Plus does everyone who goes to a Stevie concert have a deep, emotional connection with her, or do many just remember and love Stand Back etc? I think the Fleetwood Mac part of the equation, coupled with her solo career, is the reason for her continued success for sure.

[SandyMac]

I love Pat Benatar's music and always will, but the fact that Stevie is connected with Fleetwood Mac I think is the real reason she is more popular over the life span of their careers. I mean the Fleetwood Mac machine is huge when it gets geared up.

Image is another factor. Time and time again, I hear that Stevie is a woman that many men would love to date.. and many women want to be - (feminine yet strong)

I love Pat's lyrics but Stevie just has this way of weaving in stories that make your imagination go on overdrive... combine the lyrics with the voice and bam, I am hooked.

Both ladies are extremely talented, but think the whole "mystery" behind Stevie's personality and image have helped Stevie maintain her legend status over the years.
It is like her reputation precedes her and Stevie is larger than life.

Stevie has also had duets with other successful guys over the years, which helps promote her music. I mean Tom Petty fans are familiar with Stevie as well as Don Henley and Kenny Loggins fans etc...

[strandinthewind]

I have never heard anyone talk about Heart, Pat Benatar, etc. with the vehement emotion (good or bad) that I have heard many use with La Nicks. That leads me to conclude that La Nicks connects with people on a different and stronger level than the others. I think that connection has lasted through the years. Of course the other women have a strong connection with their fans. I just do not think it is on the same level as the one La Nicks maintains and maintained for 30 years with many more people.

Note - the other girls are, for the most part, far more talented than La Nicks, at least vocally - and I love all of them. And, they have maintained that, whereas La Nicks has not had the voice that produced Dreams since like 1979. I am just saying that La Nicks seems to connect on a celestial level to many more people and that connection stayed.

I also think La Nicks rather cleverly cultivated superior talent and used it in a way that enhanced her. She also kept a certain panache of secrecy about her. Finally, she was mysterious and sex on a stick - which goes a long way.

[David]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I have never heard anyone talk about Heart, Pat Benatar, etc. with the vehement emotion (good or bad) that I have heard many use with La Nicks.

Have you heard the Rickie Lee Jones fans swear eternal love for their beboppin' muse? Have you heard the Kate Bush fans gush over their goddess? Those Hammer horrors mark each major segment of their lives in terms drawn from Kate's ethos. At age 8, they draw pictures of Kate with crayons & butcher paper, & by age 25, they're writing their doctoral dissertation about the symbolism of the lily in her late-period compositions.

Besides, I think your dismissal of Heart & Benatar fans as less starry-eyed than Stevie fans is facile & insubstantially experienced. It took me all of 18 seconds to track down rabid Heart fans on the Internet. See what these folks have to say about their idols:

http://mstralwind.net/AFW/?page_id=71

Let's quote from the above:

"It is always at times like this, on the cusp of yet another amazing Heart experience, when I sit back and reflect (much to the irritation of some of you on the board) on what it means to be a Heart fan and how their music has touched my life. This past year has been one of the most difficult in my life, and once again, like a trusty old friend, Heart has been there to help me survive it. And while I know music can’t change things, it sure helps to take a break from it all for just a little bit as I sit back and escape into the majesty of Heart’s music and all things Ann and Nancy Wilson. Seeing them in concert during such tumultuous times feels like they are islands of shelter in the stormy waters of my life."

As I said, it took me no time at all to find examples like this of starry-eyed love, as gushy & genuinely felt as any ever shown to Stevie Nicks.

That leads me to conclude that La Nicks connects with people on a different and stronger level than the others.

If that's what you see overall, conclude what you will. But isn't it really hard to quantify this sort of thing?

[strandinthewind]

^^

Oh - I readily agree there are people gaga over Heart, Bentar, and the like. I still love them.

But, there just seem to be more people ga ga over La Nicks. Maybe that, and her staying power in terms of comparative popularity (unlike the others, La Nicks is still a comparative superstar) - lead me to the conclusion that although the others have their confirmed fans that you noted - La Nicks just seems to be on another level.

But, this is all my opinion and, again, the others certainly are popular.

[starshine]

Other than myself...no one in my family , friends or at work talk about Stevie in any way shape or form....probably if I didn't play her at work sometimes...most people would say Stevie who?? One person at work said she was no better of a role model ....to young girls that is (her life etc...)long story....anyway....just some thoughts.....so whom is going gaga over Stevie. I don't really hear anything on TV? So what am I missing?? Just wondering......

[gold_dust]

Originally Posted by Cornflake Girl

Perfect.


Just from a UK perspective, I actually wouldn't say Stevie is a 'bigger' star than Debbie Harry nor Heart. In particular, Debbie has an iconic status over here. In highstreet stores (ie Topshop) they even sell t-shirts with her likeness on them and most young people are familiar with her, and her music. I don't know many people under 30 over here who are familiar with Stevie or her work. Blondie still play huge venues over here, the Mac nor Stevie haven't played the UK for years.

Debbie Harry is iconic in the UK because she's edgy and raw, and she became a leader of a very male orientated scene. She's an inspiration to many women because she stands for rebellion in it's most recognised form - loud music, edgy clothes, brash attitude. Stevie sang about the wild heart, well, I always thought Debbie Harry was the wild heart. Blondie was one of the first bands from the US to do the whole New Wave/Punk scene, and make it in the UK. So, she'll always have one up on Stevie here in the UK.

Stevie, on the other hand - though no less talented - is in the same vein as Heart and Pat Benatar, musically- she comes from a very long line of female rock/pop singers. And when she first appeared, what exactly separated her from the rest of her contemporaries? Some would argue her music isn't as 'pure', or as profound as Joni Mitchell's. Some would say she isn't as raw as Janis Joplin. She's not as consistant as Ann Wilson. She's not as edgy as Debbie Harry. She's not as brash as Grace Slick.

So, what makes her 'bigger' than these women? Well, personally, I think it's the mysticism of her. I think she has a very spiritual following. And it's her image. That plays a huge part, too. How many people would still be Stevie fans if she hadn't used the whole 'Rhiannon', ethereal, flowing chiffon uniform? Would she still get as much attention if she's just carried on from that first tour in '75 and worn her 'regular' clothes? Much of what Stevie's known for is what she wears - her boots, her dresses, her hair, etc. And that's what makes her different. Her boots are dated, her dresses aren't particularly edgy or contemporary, and she's had more or less the same hair style since '76. She's never tried to be comtemporary. Even way back when. Her look came from a different time, and a different era. But I see this as her rebellion. She's never going to try and be anyone other than herself, and herself is not someone who will cut her hair, or who'll wear flats. Her dresses won't ever be simple, and she'll never have a lack of scarves. This is her way of saying, 'f*ck you, this is my look and it's staying'. She'll never conform to what everyone else considers beauty - she'll always dress for mystery, to keep mystery sexy and to keep herself 'hidden', so to speak. She's rebelled in a very different and subtle way, and she's brought femininity to rock and roll, and she's made it sexy. And this appeals to a lot of people. It's given her a longevity.

[BombaySapphire3]

Originally Posted by gold_dust

So, what makes her 'bigger' than these women? Well, personally, I think it's the mysticism of her. I think she has a very spiritual following. And it's her image. That plays a huge part, too. How many people would still be Stevie fans if she hadn't used the whole 'Rhiannon', ethereal, flowing chiffon uniform? Would she still get as much attention if she's just carried on from that first tour in '75 and worn her 'regular' clothes? Much of what Stevie's known for is what she wears - her boots, her dresses, her hair, etc. And that's what makes her different. Her boots are dated, her dresses aren't particularly edgy or contemporary, and she's had more or less the same hair style since '76. She's never tried to be comtemporary. Even way back when. Her look came from a different time, and a different era. But I see this as her rebellion. She's never going to try and be anyone other than herself, and herself is not someone who will cut her hair, or who'll wear flats. Her dresses won't ever be simple, and she'll never have a lack of scarves. This is her way of saying, 'f*ck you, this is my look and it's staying'. She'll never conform to what everyone else considers beauty - she'll always dress for mystery, to keep mystery sexy and to keep herself 'hidden', so to speak. She's rebelled in a very different and subtle way, and she's brought femininity to rock and roll, and she's made it sexy. And this appeals to a lot of people. It's given her a longevity.

Bingo!

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by gold_dust

Debbie Harry is iconic in the UK because she's edgy and raw, and she became a leader of a very male orientated scene. She's an inspiration to many women because she stands for rebellion in it's most recognised form - loud music, edgy clothes, brash attitude. Stevie sang about the wild heart, well, I always thought Debbie Harry was the wild heart. Blondie was one of the first bands from the US to do the whole New Wave/Punk scene, and make it in the UK. So, she'll always have one up on Stevie here in the UK.

Stevie, on the other hand - though no less talented - is in the same vein as Heart and Pat Benatar, musically- she comes from a very long line of female rock/pop singers. And when she first appeared, what exactly separated her from the rest of her contemporaries? Some would argue her music isn't as 'pure', or as profound as Joni Mitchell's. Some would say she isn't as raw as Janis Joplin. She's not as consistant as Ann Wilson. She's not as edgy as Debbie Harry. She's not as brash as Grace Slick.

So, what makes her 'bigger' than these women? Well, personally, I think it's the mysticism of her. I think she has a very spiritual following. And it's her image. That plays a huge part, too. How many people would still be Stevie fans if she hadn't used the whole 'Rhiannon', ethereal, flowing chiffon uniform? Would she still get as much attention if she's just carried on from that first tour in '75 and worn her 'regular' clothes? Much of what Stevie's known for is what she wears - her boots, her dresses, her hair, etc. And that's what makes her different. Her boots are dated, her dresses aren't particularly edgy or contemporary, and she's had more or less the same hair style since '76. She's never tried to be comtemporary. Even way back when. Her look came from a different time, and a different era. But I see this as her rebellion. She's never going to try and be anyone other than herself, and herself is not someone who will cut her hair, or who'll wear flats. Her dresses won't ever be simple, and she'll never have a lack of scarves. This is her way of saying, 'f*ck you, this is my look and it's staying'. She'll never conform to what everyone else considers beauty - she'll always dress for mystery, to keep mystery sexy and to keep herself 'hidden', so to speak. She's rebelled in a very different and subtle way, and she's brought femininity to rock and roll, and she's made it sexy. And this appeals to a lot of people. It's given her a longevity.

I like many other people don't give a SHAT about what the UK thinks. Harry was beautiful and yes, edgy and that' s why she was such a hit. However, Blondie is not in Fleetwood Mac or Heart's league when it comes to musicality. They get props for being grundge, but as a whole, there albums aren't that good. They did have some major hit singles are hard to forget. That is why they are remembered. Well, that and Harry's beauty.

One thing people forget, Nicks songs are being recorded over and over again and by artists from different genres.

I'm not quite sure why people like Harry and Patti Smith are given extra kudos for playing at CBGBs. Way overrated.

[David]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

But, there just seem to be more people ga ga over La Nicks.

I agree with this post.

[Macfanforever]

The POWER of Stevie and FM,On going hits, on going touring,To a Stevie/FM fan like us ,her and FM does not need a number 1 hit on the Billboard charts these days,but I would love to see it in our life time.On the other gals, I like them all.Pat,Debbie,Heart,Annie Lennox and other from the 70's and 80's ,compared to the crap they play today on the radio.

[LukeA]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I like many other people don't give a SHAT about what the UK thinks.

That may be so, but a disproportionate number of the most popular rock bands/artists are from the UK.

[CelticGypsy]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Too much fried chicken.

LOVING your signature

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Jondalar

I like many other people don't give a SHAT about what the UK thinks.

if you're going to bring the argument down to that level, there's plenty of us that don't give a FACK about what the US thinks

[jannieC]

I think that her non-stop touring and pushing herself over the years has something to do with it as well.