Despite numerous songs released by the band Fleetwood Mac, “Landslide” undeniably takes a significant spot among them all and resonates better with fans. However, before it became inseparable from the band’s identity, the song was the sole creation of the remarkably talented songwriter Stevie Nicks, who later became a member of the group in 1975.
At that particular time, the 75-year-old found herself at a critical juncture in her personal and creative journey, wrestling with uncertainties about whether to continue her musical ambitions. Eventually, the song did not only emerge as a standout success in Nicks’s illustrious career but also solidified its status as an emblematic anthem of the 1970s, and it has even influenced contemporary singers.
Stevie Nicks’ musical career
Nicks developed an early interest in music and began singing at a young age. In high school, she formed her first band, The Changing Times, with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. In the late 1960s, the lovers moved to Los Angeles to pursue their musical aspirations, after which they released their debut album Buckingham Nicks which showcased their songwriting and vocal harmonies together in 1973. Despite receiving positive reviews, the album did not achieve commercial success at the time.
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In 1975, Nicks and Buckingham caught the attention of Mick Fleetwood, the drummer of Fleetwood Mac, who invited them to join the band. The 75-year-old agreed, and their addition to the group marked a significant turning point for Fleetwood Mac’s sound and success.
The Singer shares the story behind “Landslide”
Nicks revealed in a 2003 interview with Performing Songwriter that she crafted the unique melody during a memorable trip to Aspen, Colorado. “It was written in 1973 at a point where Lindsey [Buckingham] and I had driven to Aspen for him to rehearse for two weeks with Don Everly. Lindsey was going to take Phil’s place. So they rehearsed and left, and I made a choice to stay in Aspen. I figured I’d stay there and one of my girlfriends was there. We stayed there for almost three months while Lindsey was on the road, and this is right after the Buckingham Nicks record had been dropped. And it was horrifying to Lindsey and I because we had a taste of the big time, we recorded in a big studio, we met famous people, we made what we consider to be a brilliant record and nobody liked it (laughs). I was perfectly delighted to work and support us so that Lindsey could produce and work and fix our songs and make our music,” Nicks admitted. “But I had gotten to a point where it was like, “I’m not happy. I am tired. But I don’t know if we can do any better than this. If nobody likes this, then what are we going to do?”
However, Nicki further stated that despite the circumstance, she pressed forward. “So, during that two months, I made a decision to continue. “Landslide” was the decision. [Sings] “When you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills”—it’s the only time in my life that I’ve lived in the snow,” the 75-year-old confessed to Performing Songwriter. “But looking up at those Rocky Mountains and going, “Okay, we can do it. I’m sure we can do it.” In one of my journal entries, it says, “I took Lindsey and said, We’re going to the top!” And that’s what we did. Within a year, Mick Fleetwood called us, and we were in Fleetwood Mac, making $800 a week apiece (laughs). Washing $100 bills through the laundry. It was hysterical. It was like we were rich overnight.”