Stevie Nicks is, for many, the spirit of Fleetwood Mac. The band has been blessed with numerous vocal and songwriting talents over the years, but none have captivated listeners the way Nicks has during her lengthy tenures with the band. She remained a force in Fleetwood Mac until 2022.
That said, Nicks was not always a member of the band. She joined roughly a decade into the band's existence, in 1974, and then walked away in 1990. The reason actually dated back to the band's most popular album, Rumors. Nicks' composition, "Silver Springs," was left off the release, and come 1990, she asked Fleetwood Mac drummer and co-founder Mick Fleetwood if she could include it on a solo album of hers. He said no, and Nicks quit.
Stevie Nicks left the band in 1990
Nicks walked away from Fleetwood Mac three years after guitarist Lindsey Buckingham, and two years before keyboardist Christine McVie. These three comprised the songwriting core of the band during their critical and commercial peak, leading to a significant downturn in the final decade of the 20th century.
Nicks released the 1994 album Street Angel during this hiatus, but she eventually mended fences with Mick Fleetwood, and rejoined the band in 1997. It marked two decades since the release of the aforementioned Rumors album, and given its legacy, the band's core lineup decided to reunite. Nicks joined Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, Lindsay Buckingham and bassist John McVie for a massively successful arena tour. The band was then inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Nicks remained with Fleetwood Mac throughout the 21st century. She butted heads with her former boyfriend, Buckingham, and initiated his dismissal from the band in 2018. The other members forged ahead, but it was the passing Christine McVie in 2022 that marked the end of the line for the band.
Nicks will not promote the band without Christine McVie
As far as Nicks was concerned, Fleetwood Mac didn't exist without the band's keyboardist. "Without Christine, no can do," she told Mojo Magazine in 2024. "There is no chance of putting Fleetwood Mac back together in any way. Without her, it just couldn’t work."
Stevie Nicks hasn't released a solo album since 2014's 24 Karat Gold, but she remains a fixture on the touring circuit. She performed on Saturday Night Live in 2024, and she told Rolling Stone that she will tour as long as she feels she can do so. "Well, if I can stay looking pretty good.… When I think that it’s age inappropriate, I won’t do it anymore," she quipped.