Offerings at the Altar - Gifts for Stevie

[DashingDan]

Within the last 10 years there was a review of a Boston solo SN show in the newspaper that opened with a detail of rock and roll rituals. The reviewer rattled off a few (none come to mind, but I recall them to be all credible), and then he mentioned the ritual of bringing gifts to Stevie and how it's has to be seen to be believed.

I remembered this review today and it got me thinking, can anyone tell me the genesis of bringing offerings to the altar? It was being done during the Belladonna shows apparently (as documented from the HBO concert)...so my question to you all is when/where did it all begin and why are we compelled to give her stuff?

[greatdarkwing]

Originally Posted by DashingDan

Within the last 10 years there was a review of a Boston solo SN show in the newspaper that opened with a detail of rock and roll rituals. The reviewer rattled off a few (none come to mind, but I recall them to be all credible), and then he mentioned the ritual of bringing gifts to Stevie and how it's has to be seen to be believed.

I remembered this review today and it got me thinking, can anyone tell me the genesis of bringing offerings to the altar? It was being done during the Belladonna shows apparently (as documented from the HBO concert)...so my question to you all is when/where did it all begin and why are we compelled to give her stuff?

Because roses are cheaper than offering human sacirifices...DUH! LMAO!!!

~Alex

[BlackWidow]

Originally Posted by DashingDan

Within the last 10 years there was a review of a Boston solo SN show in the newspaper that opened with a detail of rock and roll rituals. The reviewer rattled off a few (none come to mind, but I recall them to be all credible), and then he mentioned the ritual of bringing gifts to Stevie and how it's has to be seen to be believed.

I remembered this review today and it got me thinking, can anyone tell me the genesis of bringing offerings to the altar? It was being done during the Belladonna shows apparently (as documented from the HBO concert)...so my question to you all is when/where did it all begin and why are we compelled to give her stuff?

It comes from a very passionate and deep desire of her fans to connect with her in some way..to create an impression..or get a reaction from her. I think the HBO WWDOVE TOUR also gave people permission to continue that tradition of leaving her gifts at the altar as you rightfully described it. Over the years she has received numerous stuffed animals Snoopy, Woodstock, Bears and the obvious Unicorns..lol. Massive paintings, Clothes, Jewelery etc..Stevie has made out like a Rock N Roll Bandit!!! I think most of her fans are as obsessive as she is and go the extra mile to get her attention and wish her well. I fortunately have already met her twice outside of the concert arena and am not compelled to go to those lengths to try and meet her or get a response..but I certainly understand the impulse to try.

[vermicious knid]

It goes way back. Judging by this Crawdaddy article, people have been compelled to sacrifice offerings to the Stevie-deity since at least 1976.

The backstage area after the set was crowded but orderly as roadies gently kept a lot of equally polite California girls away from the dressing room. Moments later, Stevie Nicks emerged and made her way to a waiting limousine, stopping several times to talk with admirers. One young woman pressed five turquoise stones into her hand ("For everyone in the band"); another slipped an over-sized bracelet on her wrist.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by greatdarkwing

Because roses are cheaper than offering human sacirifices...

Great, now you tell me!

[BTFLCHLD]

does stevie have an altar?
wonder what she offers?

[Oona]

I also, when I am able to hand Stevie my usual assortment of incenses in the easily spotted blue nag champa box along with a few of my hand made glass beads that were inspired by a song or particular lyric. By the third show that I did this, I got the "oh wow..another box!" response. It was especially gratifying to see the box on her personal crates backstage at the AC shows. on that note, one of the funniest things I saw was a flustered Sharon running about holding a guttering, soot spewing coconut shell candle. Not being sure what to do with the fiery object, she blew it out. It then set off a blinding smokescreen. She looked nervously around and put it in one of Stevie's cases to contain the fumes then walked briskly away with a somewhat guilty look on her face. I suspect much of the contents of that case from then on had a distinctive coconut-smouldering waxy funk for some time.

[StevieRox2]

Originally Posted by Oona

on that note, one of the funniest things I saw was a flustered Sharon running about holding a guttering, soot spewing coconut shell candle. Not being sure what to do with the fiery object, she blew it out. It then set off a blinding smokescreen. She looked nervously around and put it in one of Stevie's cases to contain the fumes then walked briskly away with a somewhat guilty look on her face. I suspect much of the contents of that case from then on had a distinctive coconut-smouldering waxy funk for some time.

OMG - that is hillarious!

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by BTFLCHLD

does stevie have an altar?
wonder what she offers?

Maybe Buckingham.