Long before Stevie Nicks cemented her status as one of the greatest rock legends of all time, she had a pivotal moment early in her career when she opened for Janis Joplin. Despite an encounter on stage that some might consider humiliating, both Nicks and Joplin went on to achieve stardom in their own right, with the experience becoming a significant chapter in Nicks’ journey.
Prior to joining the renowned rock supergroup Fleetwood Mac, Nicks collaborated musically with her then-boyfriend, Lindsey Buckingham, in two separate musical projects: Fritz and their duo Buckingham-Nicks. For Nicks, Joplin significantly influenced her personally and musically, so naturally, she remained a big fan even after their odd encounter.
As part of Fritz, Nicks landed the opportunity to open for Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, which took place during the late 1960s. According to Nicks, the whole affair was a big deal. “It was a big huge show in San Francisco,” she explained during the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show. “There was like 20 bands on; there was you, there was 15 more bands, and then there was Jimi Hendrix.”
During the show, Nicks’ set seemed to run over her scheduled time, which didn’t sit right with Joplin. According to the singer, Joplin yelled her off the stage so that she could begin her set on time. Most singers would have probably taken the comment to heart, particularly if it was someone they admired. However, for Nicks, it became an integral part of her musical path.
“Being yelled off the stage by Janis Joplin was one of the greatest honours of my life,” she later said, the event seemingly having no impact on her perception of Joplin or her artistry whatsoever. Aside from being an “honour”, the ordeal taught her an important lesson about the business and thriving in an industry that wasn’t very embracing of female success.
During a 2011 interview with The Telegraph, Nicks shared the vital lessons she learnt from both Joplin and Hendrix, explaining, “From Janis, I learned that to make it as a female musician in a man’s world is gonna be tough, and you need to keep your head held high,” adding, “From Jimi, I learned grace and humility.”
Clearly, Nicks regarded Joplin as a powerful presence in a predominantly male-dominated industry, admiring her boldness and self-assurance in forging her own path. She saw these traits as essential for her own success. Moreover, despite facing scrutiny and ridicule regarding her personal life and struggles with drug abuse, Nicks’ musical legacy remains unscathed.