VH1 Storytellers Season 3 Episode 7 Stevie Nicks
- August 18, 1998
VH1 Storytellers is a music-centered television series that features performances and intimate interviews with legendary musicians from various genres. Season 3 episode 7 showcases the iconic Stevie Nicks, the rock and roll queen of inspiration and storytelling.
The episode begins with a montage of some of Stevie Nicks' greatest hits, setting the tone for a memorable journey through her illustrious career. The legendary musician takes the stage, surrounded by beautiful flowers and candles, and begins to share some of her most intimate stories about her famous songs.
The first song Stevie performs is "Gold Dust Woman," a powerful and haunting track from Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album. As she sings, Stevie reveals that the song was inspired by her struggles with drug addiction and the darker aspects of the music industry. She explains how she wrote the lyrics in a stream of consciousness, and how the song has taken on new meanings for her over the years.
Stevie then transitions to her solo work with a captivating performance of "Edge of Seventeen." She shares how the song was influenced by the death of her uncle and the assassination of John Lennon, and how it evolved over time from a guitar riff to a fully realized hit song. The emotional intensity of Stevie's performance is palpable, as she channels the pain and longing that inspired the lyrics.
Next, Stevie talks about one of her most beloved songs, "Landslide." She shares how the song was written during a pivotal moment in her life, when she was considering leaving Fleetwood Mac and pursuing a solo career. The song's lyrics, which address the fear of change and the passage of time, resonate deeply with Stevie's own experiences and emotions. She performs the song acoustically, accompanied only by a guitar, highlighting the raw beauty of her voice.
The episode takes a more lighthearted turn as Stevie performs "Stand Back," a catchy synth-pop hit from her second solo album. She shares the hilarious story of how she first heard the track that inspired the song (Prince's "Little Red Corvette"), and how she worked with Prince to create the unforgettable melody of "Stand Back." The performance includes some fun dance moves and a few winks to the camera, showing Stevie's sense of humor and playful personality.
The episode ends with a deeply emotional rendition of "Silver Springs," a song that was originally intended for Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album but was ultimately left off the final tracklist. Stevie explains how the song was her way of expressing her feelings of heartbreak and betrayal after her tumultuous breakup with bandmate Lindsey Buckingham. The performance features stunning vocals and a palpable sense of catharsis.
Throughout the episode, Stevie Nicks proves why she remains one of the most influential and beloved musicians of all time. Her powerful vocals, compelling stories, and infectious energy make for an unforgettable experience, and fans of rock and roll will be captivated by her every word and note.