Introduction to Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks
In September 1973, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks released their only album as a duo, “Buckingham Nicks.” This soft rock collection evoked the California coastlines with sunny harmonies, dominating radio waves at the time. The album, however, passed unnoticed and was a commercial failure.
The Unfamiliar Names
At the time, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were unknown. Their names wouldn’t be recognized until the following year when they joined the British band Fleetwood Mac. “Buckingham Nicks” was out of circulation since 1982, never officially released on CD. Over the years, it became a rare collector’s item.
Recording and Production
“Buckingham Nicks” was recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, California, and produced by Steve Olsen. Buckingham and Nicks met as high school students in the Bay Area, California. Later, while attending San Jose University, they began playing together when Buckingham invited Nicks to join his band Fritz. Steve Olsen helped the couple secure a recording contract with Polydor Records and develop their musical ideas for what would become “Buckingham Nicks.”
The Album’s Content
“Buckingham Nicks” isn’t a remarkable album, but it portrays two musicians finding their musical and sonic identity. The cover features the couple posing nude, photographed by Jimmy Wachtel.
Throughout “Buckingham Nicks,” we see early glimpses of what would become the Fleetwood Mac sound. The lyrics hint at the complex relationship between Buckingham and Nicks, with songs expressing love, hatred, resentment, and heartbreak, such as “Crying in the Night,” “Without a Leg to Stand On,” and “Don’t Let Me Down Again.”
Key Tracks
Instrumental tracks “Stephanie” and “Django” showcase Buckingham’s musical versatility, with arpegios that would later become a signature sound in Fleetwood Mac’s work. “Crystal” first appeared on this album and was later reworked for Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 self-titled album, “Fleetwood Mac.”
The Path to Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac was a blues band founded in 1967 by guitarist Peter Green, combining the talents of bassist John McVie and drummer Mick Fleetwood. The band underwent various lineup changes until 1974, when they incorporated Buckingham and Nicks.
When Mick Fleetwood offered Buckingham a spot in Fleetwood Mac as Bob Welch’s replacement, the only condition was including Stevie Nicks in the band. With their new lineup, Fleetwood Mac became one of the most successful rock-pop bands of all time, while “Buckingham Nicks” faded into obscurity among old records.
The Lost Piece in Fleetwood Mac’s History
Buckingham and Nicks’ complicated relationship, along with Fleetwood Mac’s numerous splits over the decades, made “Buckingham Nicks” a hidden secret among collectors and devotees. It gained mystique as a lost piece in Fleetwood Mac’s history, requiring exploration of used record markets to find a secondhand copy.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who are Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks? They are musicians who, before joining Fleetwood Mac, released the album “Buckingham Nicks” in 1973.
- What happened to “Buckingham Nicks”? The album was a commercial failure and went out of circulation shortly after its release. It became a rare collector’s item.
- How did Buckingham and Nicks join Fleetwood Mac? Mick Fleetwood offered Buckingham a spot in the band, with the condition of including Stevie Nicks.
- What is the significance of “Buckingham Nicks” in Fleetwood Mac’s history? The album contains early versions of songs that would later become Fleetwood Mac classics and showcases the beginnings of Buckingham and Nicks’ musical partnership.
