Why was Stevie the breakout star?

[Nikolaj]

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.