Stevie Nicks’ Early Letter Reveals She Believed Lindsey Buckingham Would Be One of the Greats
via Lindsey Buckingham Gems / YouTube
A Letter From the Past
Stevie Nicks recently shared a 52-year-old letter she wrote to her parents while recording the 1973 album Buckingham Nicks. At the time, she and Lindsey Buckingham were a young couple working together at Sound City Studios in California. In the note, Nicks predicted that Buckingham would be remembered as a remarkable guitarist, even though their album was far from a commercial breakthrough.
The record, co-written by the duo, set the stage for their later work with Fleetwood Mac. Two years after the album’s release, Mac’s guitarist and frontman Bob Welch left the band, opening the door for Nicks and Buckingham to join. The letter captures Nicks’ youthful mix of humor and ambition, offering a glimpse of her life before fame.
View this post on Instagram
Humor and Ambition
In the letter, Nicks joked about her hopes for a Beverly Hills home and her plan to celebrate her upcoming 25th birthday for an entire month. She also complained about the long hours in the studio, writing about “sitting around listening to 12 hours of music per day.”
Toward the end, she highlighted a song in progress. “By the way, Dad and Chris, that rock and roll tune that you both liked (‘Baby Baby, Don’t Treat Me So Bad’) with the fancy guitar work is almost finished,” she wrote. “Lindsey may go down in history as one of the ‘greats’ in guitar playing. It really is quite amazing.”
From Modest Start to Iconic Band
The song she mentioned would become “Don’t Let Me Down Again,” featuring Buckingham’s sharp guitar lines and their tight vocal harmonies. Despite strong production from Sound City Studios’ Keith Olsen, the album didn’t make a big impact when it was first released.
Things changed quickly. When Welch left Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham was invited to join. He insisted that Nicks be included as well, and the band agreed. Their arrival reshaped Fleetwood Mac, leading to worldwide success.
Lasting Legacy
Fleetwood Mac’s second album with Nicks and Buckingham, Rumours, went on to sell over 40 million copies, making them international stars. Yet it took more than five decades for Buckingham Nicks to receive an official reissue. Rhino Records finally released a deluxe edition on September 19, giving fans a chance to hear the music that inspired Nicks’ confident words and showcased Buckingham’s early brilliance.
Read the letter below:
View this post on Instagram
