During the early to mid-1980s, years after Stevie Nicks and Don Henley‘s relationship had ended, the two reconnected on several collaborations, beginning with Nicks’ 1981 solo debut Bella Donna, and thier hit duet on “Leather and Lace,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. Henley also joined on the backing vocals and drums on the Bella Donna track “The Highwayman,” and in 1985, the pair reunited for a cover of Warren Zevon‘s “Reconsider Me,” which ended up on Nicks’ 1998 box set Enchanted.
Both reconnected again 30 years later for Henley’s 2015 album Cass Country on an unlikely cover. Featured as a bonus track for Target, “It Don’t Matter to the Sun” was released 16 years earlier on Garth Brooks‘ album, released under his alter-ego moniker Chris Gaines.
Initially, the character of Chris Gaines was created for a film called The Lamb, which starred Brooks as a rock star chronicling different periods throughout his life. The film was never released, but Brooks went ahead nad took on the persona of Gaines and his music with the 199 release of Garth Brooks in…The Life of Chris Gaines. Born in Brisbane, Australia to a mother who was an Olympic swimmer, and his father, who was her coach, the raven-haired Gaines survived a tragic car crash in the early1990s, which altered his appearance.
Produced by Don Was, The Life of Chris Gaines went to No. 2 and featured “It Don’t Matter to the Sun,” which was covered by singer and comedian Rosie Thomas and Glee star Matthew Morrrison years before Nicks and Henley’s version.
Written by Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Tommy Sims, “It Dont’ Matter to the Sun” follows a severed love and how the sun, the moon, and life still move on.
It don’t matter to the sun If you go or if you stay I know the sun is gonna rise Shine down on another day There will still be a tomorrow Even if you choose to leave ‘Cause it don’t matter to the sun (oh baby) It matters to me
It ain’t gonna stop the world If you walk out that door This old world will just keep on turning ’round Like it did the day before ‘Cause see to them it makes no difference It just keeps on keepin’ time ‘Cause it ain’t gonna stop the world But it’ll be the end of mine
What can I say What can I do I’m still in love So without you
It don’t matter the moon If your not in my life No the moon will just keep hangin’ ’round Like it’s just another night Find another place to shine on down On some other lovers dreams ‘Cause it don’t matter the moon But is sure do matter to me No it don’t matter to the moon But it matters to me
Don Henley (l) and inductee Stevie Nicks perform at the 2019 Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony – Show at Barclays Center on March 29, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
First connecting in the mid-1970s, Nicks and Henley dated for a few years before calling it off by the late ’70s. During their union, Nicks became pregnant with Henley and had an abortion, which may have been the partial inspiration behind the lyrics of “Sara,” released on Fleetwood Mac‘s Tusk.
“Had I married Don and had that baby, and had she been a girl, I would have named her Sara,” said Nicks. “But there was another woman in my life named Sara [Recor], who shortly after that became Mick’s wife, Sara Fleetwood.”
Released December 5, 1979, “Sara” went to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. Nicks later revisited the name in 1987 on the Fleetwood Mac Tango in the Night track “Welcome to the Room…Sara” — When you hang up that phone / Well, you cease to exist / Welcome to the room, Sara.
By the ’80s, Nicks also talked openly about her relationship with Henely and their continued friendship. “Well, Don always treated me very special,” said Nicks. “He always kinda treated me like we were married, in that strange sorta way, he still does, whenever I see him. I think he found in me something that he has not probably found since, and that was somebody that was very… .”
Nicks continued, ”It was 1976, this was right after the beginning of when Fleetwood Mac really made it, and The Eagles had been big for a long time. So, he found a very different kind of girl in me than in most of the women that he was used to hanging out with, and we had a very special relationship because of that.”
Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2015, music legends Don Henley and Stevie Nicks teamed up for a powerful duet that left fans in awe. The song they chose to cover was a ballad originally released by Garth Brooks’ ’90s alter-ego, Chris Gaines.
The hauntingly beautiful track, titled “Lost in You,” was a departure from the country sound that Brooks was known for. With Henley’s soulful vocals and Nicks’ ethereal tone, the song took on a new life and resonated with listeners in a whole new way.
The collaboration between these two iconic artists was a match made in music heaven. Their voices blended seamlessly, creating a mesmerizing and emotional performance that captivated audiences around the world.
While the original version of “Lost in You” by Chris Gaines may have flown under the radar, Henley and Nicks’ rendition brought new attention to the song and showcased the timeless talent of both artists.
If you haven’t had the chance to listen to Don Henley and Stevie Nicks’ 2015 duet of “Lost in You,” do yourself a favor and give it a listen. It’s a truly magical musical moment that you won’t want to miss.
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Less than three weeks after a series of historic wildfires killed 29 people and destroyed more than 16,000 structures in the Los Angeles area, more than two dozen of music’s biggest names have gathered for the FireAid benefit concert — “an evening of music and solidarity,” as organizers describe it, meant to raise money for affected Angelenos and to “prevent future fire disasters throughout Southern California.”
In fact, FireAid encompasses two concerts — one held at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and the other about a mile north at the Kia Forum. Billie Eilish, Green Day, Joni Mitchell, John Fogerty, Gracie Abrams, No Doubt, Jelly Roll and Stevie Nicks are among the acts who’ve taken the stage. Katy Perry took the stage backed by the Pasadena Chorale, which lost its home base when the Altadena Community Church burned down. Some of its singers and its founding artistic director, Jeffrey Bernstein, lost homes in the fire.
The bill also includes Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Peso Pluma and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among many others. Produced by a team of music-industry veterans led by Irving Azoff and his family, FireAid is being live-streamed on an array of platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Max, Apple TV+, Prime Video and Twitch. Connie and Steve Ballmer, who own the Clippers as well as Intuit Dome and the Forum, have pledged to match all donations made during the show.
The Times’ Mikael Wood and August Brown are on site and delivering live updates as they happen.
5:45 p.m. Hello from the floor at the Forum for the early shift of FireAid, which may not quite be Music’s Biggest Night (that’s the Grammys on Sunday), but it certainly feels like it given the sheer star caliber of lineups here and at Intuit Dome a little later. Dave Matthews dropped off the bill for a family emergency, but still in store here are Alanis Morissette, Anderson .Paak, John Mayer, Dawes, Graham Nash, Green Day, John Fogerty, Joni Mitchell, No Doubt, P!nk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Stills, Stevie Nicks and the Black Crowes. Interested to see how Dawes performs given two members lost homes or studios in Altadena. (August Brown)
6:11 p.m. And greetings from a very empty Intuit Dome, where the music is supposed to get underway at 7:30 — a message that appears to have reached the people of L.A. loud and clear. FireAid organizers have said the Forum bill leans rock while the lineup at Intuit is more pop. Wonder what Rod Stewart (who’s on the bill here) thinks about that. (Mikael Wood)
7:02 p.m. Green Day kicking this off with an elegant version of “Last Night on Earth” only to bring out another Billie from the second show down the road: Eilish, who came out to sing the second verse. (AB)
Billie Eilish and Billie Joe Armstrong early in the FireAid benefit.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
7:04 p.m. Intuit Dome is showing the Forum performances on the arena’s so-called Halo Board, and the two Billies drew a huge cheer from the crowd here. (MW)
7:17 p.m “Here at the Forum,” comedian Billy Crystal said, “the goal is to raise more money than the Dodgers spent on free agents.” They’re off to a good start–Crystal announced U2 just called in a million dollar donation. He also acknowledged losing his own home in the Palisades Fire. “These are the clothes I fled in,” he said, explaining that he looks like an evacuee or “somebody who robbed a 7/11.” He said that this gig had echoes of a similar fundraising host gig he took on after 9/11. “Now I’m one of the hurting thousands asking ‘have you seen my church, have you seen my town?” (AB)
7:18 p.m. Nice monologue from Crystal, who’s been doing this kind of thing — threading the needle between humor and pathos — for … what? Half a century? “One city, one heart,” he concludes. (MW)
7:24 p.m. Hopeful vibes from Alanis Morrissette, whose “Hand in My Pocket” and “Thank U” carried an air of gratitude and resilience as she wore an “I Heart LA” shirt: a “colorful, Wild place,” as she called it. (AB)
7:27 p.m. Alanis Morissette singing “Thank U” is a great opportunity to ponder one of the wildest opening lyrics in pop history: “How ‘bout getting off of these antibiotics?” (MW)
Anderson .Paak and Sheila E. at the Forum in Inglewood.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
7:30 p.m. If you hold an all-star concert in L.A. and you don’t have Sheila E show up to whale on the timbales — as Ms. E just did with Anderson .Paak — did the concert really happen? (MW)
7:32 p.m. Glad they’re making ample time for individual horror stories about surviving the fires. “I wish it was just a terrible dream or a nightmare,” one Altadena resident said in a video. “Everything I’m wearing was provided by someone else. But I’m a carpenter, I want to rebuild Altadena. There are brighter days ahead.” (AB)
7:39 p.m. Crowd goes absolutely ham to Dr. Dre popping out for “Still D.R.E.” And “California Love” With Anderson .Paak. The Azoff Rolodex goes deep. (AB)
7:41 p.m. Crowd in here includes very soused Gen Xers who got a babysitter so they could happily justify dropping a grand on a big night out for fire relief. (AB)
7:42 p.m. Crowd at Intuit (which is nearing a full house) is older than I would’ve expected — but, as August suggests, FireAid tickets weren’t cheap. (MW)
7:50 p.m. “I can’t think of anyone better to console us than Joni Mitchell,” Morrissette said, introducing the doyenne of the California canyons to perform the regal and resonant “Both Sides Now,” with a stripped back version of her Joni Jam band. “I really don’t know life at all,” she sang to close on a plaintive note. A reminder to Cherish your L.A. treasures while we’ve still got them. (AB)
7:52 p.m. I’ve had the privilege of seeing Mitchell perform several times in the past couple of years — that may have been the strongest she’s sounded yet. (MW)
7:56 p.m. Members of the Williams family from Altadena recalled onstage, “At 3:30 in morning, the warning hit our phones. We grabbed what we could — our grandmothers special clock, our father’s ashes, our 47-year-old parrot Hank. Among the five of us standing here, we lost four homes and we’re struggling to find places to live. We love our community — we’re all grieving immense loss.”
“At our mother’s home, everything was destroyed except her front door,” they said. “It stands. It’s a sign, because that door was always open.” (AB)
Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes at the FireAid benefit.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
8:08 p.m. Poignant lyrics from the band Dawes, whose singer and drummer both lost homes and studios in Altadena. “You’ve got that special kind of sadness, a tragic set of charms / That only comes from time spent in Los Angeles / Makes me want to wrap you in my arms.” This city can feel like it’s got disaster in its bones right now and surviving is a mark of making a life here.
Then they brought out Stephen Stills and Mike Campbell of the Heartbreakers for Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” A reminder of all the music history that went up in this blaze, too. (AB)
Stephen Stills, left, and Graham Nash at the Forum.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
8:13 p.m. Graham Nash joins his old bandmate, Stephen Stills, to dispense a bit of local mythology — “Whenever Los Angeles gets into trouble, the musicians are right there,” he says — and a comforting rendition of “Teach Your Children.” (MW)
8:22 p.m. “If you’re hurting, I’m hurting with you,” said Pink in an all-black funereal outfit. “I’m gonna keep my feet on the ground tonight,” she promised, alluding to her usual aerial routines, but sang a knockout take of “Me and Bobby McGee,” a song she said brought her comfort in bad times. (AB)
8:28 p.m. Pink digs deep into her classic-rock bag for a scorching version of (Led Zeppelin’s version of) “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You.” (MW)
8:35 p.m. Samuel L. Jackson is starting the show here at Intuit Dome by shouting out the first responders in the house: “We love our firefighters and we need to help them,” Jackson says. Then he introduces Rod Stewart as a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer — and his former neighbor. L.A.! (MW)
8:36 p.m. Can you imagine the Samuel L Jackson / Rod Stewart dinner parties we’ve been missing out on? Rod doing the Ezekiel 25:17 speech? Sam covering “Maggie May?” (AB)
8:39 p.m. “Here’s a new song,” Stewart says. “Not.” It’s “Maggie May,” of course, a song nobody in history has ever been sad to hear. Invite Rod to everything, is what I say. (MW)
8:48 p.m. Pink’s way of addressing the crowd to John Mayer: “Ladies and gentlemen and every other gender that absolutely exists.” (MW)
8:49 p.m. Despite the conflicts about climate and class inherent in the fires, the hosts have been avoiding politics until Pink tossed in that allusion to the current administration. Wonder if Billie Eilish or anyone with a passion for climate activism will make a more fervent point about it later. (AB)
John Mayer onstage at the Forum for FireAid.
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
8:57 p.m. Mayer, understanding the assignment as usual, describes Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” as “our first insight into the dream of living in California.” (MW)
9:04 p.m. I love that Earth, Wind and Fire tapped straight in with “That’s the Way of the World” — a song about “hearts of fire” — without a second thought. That’s how strong their vibes are and how welcome this tune is. (AB)
9:05 p.m. And now Earth, Wind and Fire is bringing the house down with the immortal “September,” a song with real-deal healing powers. Somebody give Verdine White a seat on the county Board of Supervisors. (MW)
Verdine White, center, with Serg Dimitrijevic, left, and Philip Bailey Jr. of Earth, Wind & Fire.
(Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)
9:16 p.m. John Fogerty is hitting us where we live right now with Creedence Clearwater Revival’s immortal “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” If only this parched city had seen a lot more of it earlier in winter. (AB)
9:18 p.m. Second Zeppelin cover of the night: Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes doing “Going to California” with Slash, whom Chris accurately notes needed no introduction. (The top hat helps.) (MW)
9:21 p.m. Not the point of the evening, necessarily, but consider Gracie Abrams’ stardom secured. The crowd at Intuit just roared louder for the 25-year-old singer — a proud Palisades native, for what it’s worth — than they roared for anyone else all night. Accompanied by Aaron Dessner on acoustic guitar, she’s doing a stone-cold L.A. classic: Counting Crows’ “A Long December.” (MW)
Gwen Stefani and No Doubt
(Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)
9:33 p.m. Truly, who else are you going to call for this gig than No Doubt, the SoCal-est of SoCal bands, launches with “Just a Girl.” The band reunited for Coachella last year and might well have to keep it going if the Forum crowd has any say in it. (AB)
9:36 p.m. “Don’t Speak.” That’s it — that’s the tweet. (MW)
9:49 p.m. Stray thought during Tate McRae’s set: the long tail of OneRepublic’s “Apologize.” (MW)
9:56 p.m. I remember talking to McRae about moving to L.A. from Canada and what a culture shock it was for her. Wonder how the imagery of the fires will affect people around the world who had considered moving here for the usual reasons – and now see how quickly that fantasy can turn devastating. (AB)
9:54 p.m. “I am honored to play some country music” Jelly Roll says before muscling through “I Am Not OK,” a song about knowing that he can’t be the only one holding on for dear life. And then: a rollicking cover of the great Bob Seger’s “Hollywood Nights,” for which he’s joined by Travis Barker. What a song! More Seger (just in general), please. (MW)
Jelly Roll at FireAid
(Jordan Strauss / Invision / AP)
10:02 p.m. I tell you, anytime I think of leaving this town, there is nothing like some “Hollywood Nights” to pull me right back in. (AB)
10:13 p.m. “Gonna go a little rogue here,” Stevie Nicks says as she recounts the night that the fires raced toward her Palisades home, a 1938 wood house that miraculously survived thanks to firefighters from Santa Rosa. “I cannot believe the bravery of these men,” she says. From the stage she gives them a special dedication of “Landslide,” which has got to be an all-timer of a thank you. (AB)
10:15 p.m. Stevie sometimes hits the autopilot in concert these days — hey, she’s been at it a while — but this “Landslide” is stunning: a full-body immersion into the certainty that life is gonna throw you for a loop now and then. (MW)
10:39 p.m. St. Vincent, Kim Gordon and Joan Jett each fronting a full-on Nirvana reunion — what a way to wind down the night! Good on Dave Grohl for turning out for this, given everything. Really hope Kim Gordon wins a Grammy this weekend. “The Collective” absolutely rules. (AB)
10:39 p.m. Grohl, Pat Smear and Krist Novoselic have almost-reunited Nirvana a few times over the last decade or so, often without warning and often for a good cause. Joan Jett just popped out to do “Territorial Pissings,” and now Grohl’s 18-year-old daughter, Violet, is here to sing “All Apologies” (with Novoselic on accordion). The band sounds great — bludgeoning but tuneful, heavy yet light on its feet. (MW)
10:51 p.m. Good on the producers for including a segment acknowledging all the animals lost or affected. To me that’s one of the undercovered parts of this tragedy. (AB)
10:53 p.m. For all its stars, FireAid is extremely short on hip-hop — and now, sitting inside Intuit Dome as Lil Baby plays to a dead room, I can see what organizers were trying to avoid. Definitely not a rap crowd. (MW)
FireAid: Nirvana reunion, Stevie Nicks’ Palisades escape story
The recent devastating wildfires in California have brought communities together in a time of crisis, and the music industry is no exception. In a heartwarming display of solidarity, iconic rock band Nirvana has announced a special reunion performance at the upcoming FireAid benefit concert.
The concert, which aims to raise funds for fire relief efforts and support those affected by the wildfires, will also feature a special appearance by legendary singer Stevie Nicks. Nicks, who narrowly escaped the flames in her Palisades home, will share her harrowing escape story with the audience, shedding light on the urgency of supporting those impacted by the wildfires.
The FireAid benefit concert promises to be a night of powerful music, heartfelt stories, and a united front against the devastation caused by the wildfires. Join Nirvana, Stevie Nicks, and other musical acts as they come together to make a difference and support those in need. Let’s stand together and show our support for those affected by the wildfires. #FireAid #NirvanaReunion #StevieNicks #CaliforniaWildfires.
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“I asked Tom if I could be an honorary Heartbreaker,” Stevie Nicks recalled of asking Tom Petty if she could join her all-time favourite band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreaks – “He said, ‘You already are one, Stevie.’” Nicks has never made any secret of her deep love for Petty’s band, but the lead singer wasn’t the only band member to grant her a beautiful gift as she has a moving experience working with Mike Campbell once too.
“So, listen, what I’d really like to do is be in Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ band,” Nicks recalled telling Atlantic Records when she launched her solo career. While taking a break from her role as Fleetwood Mac’s resident witchy poet, all she wanted to do was feel like a rockstar, taking inspiration from her peers but especially from Petty and his troupe.
So when she got to work with the band on Bella Donna, her solo debut, it was a dream realised. From then on, Petty proved to be a constant source of inspiration and encouragement. After a stint in rehab knocked her confidence as an artist, leading her to ask him if he would write a song for her to sing, Pettyput her back on track, telling Nicks, “No. You are one of the premier songwriters of all time. You don’t need me to write a song for you,” adding, “Just go to your piano and write a good song. You can do that.”
But all the members of the Heartbreakers did a lot for Nicks, encouraging her when she needed encouragement, helping her when she needed help, and, in the case of guitarist Mike Campbell, granting her a gift that no one else had.
Working together on the song ‘Whole Lotta Trouble’ for her 1989 album The Other Side Of The Mirror, Campbell’s treatment of the song meant a lot to Nicks. “I recorded this song in Michael’s room in Sydney, Australia, on his 4-track. I actually played guitar, and almost a year later, Michael had worked up a track right along with what I had played in Australia,” she recalled of the song’s origins. But it was less his additional work on the song that moved her and more that way that he had stayed true to her initial idea as she explained, “He wrote a bridge for it, and when I got home from MY tour, he insisted I come up and sing it exactly as I had played it that night; and he could play his track right along with me playing rock and roll guitar.”
Keeping the original spark of the song intact and working solely from her early idea, Campbell’s dedication to preserving Nicks’ vision meant a lot, as the singer said, “I was totally flattered.”
Coming from Fleetwood Mac, where even her own songs ended up as collaborations, impacted by her band members, this moment with Campbell felt like the first time her vision had been left untouched. “He is the only person in my whole life who has EVER done one of my songs exactly as I had written it,” she said, seeing that as an incredible gift the guitarist gave her as she said sincerely. “Thank you, Michael, for all your wonderful music.”
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Stevie Nicks, iconic singer-songwriter and frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, recently opened up about the musician who left her “totally flattered” in a recent interview. The mystery musician, who Nicks has yet to reveal, apparently paid her the ultimate compliment that left her feeling honored and appreciated.
In the interview, Nicks expressed her gratitude towards this musician, stating that their words of admiration and respect meant the world to her. While she hasn’t disclosed the identity of the musician or the specific compliment they gave her, Nicks hinted that it was a moment she will never forget.
Fans of Nicks are buzzing with curiosity, eager to know who this mysterious musician is and what they said to leave such a lasting impression on the legendary singer. Regardless, it’s clear that this encounter has had a profound impact on Nicks, reaffirming her status as a true musical icon.
Stay tuned for updates as more details emerge about the musician who left Stevie Nicks “totally flattered.”
Lucy Lawless, the iconic star of Xena: Warrior Princess, recently revealed that her beloved 1998 impersonation of Stevie Nicks on Saturday Night Live almost didn’t happen. During an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, the 56-year-old actress reflected on the sketch that has since become a cult favorite among fans: “Stevie Nicks’ Fajita Roundup.” The sketch, which aired during Lawless’s hosting stint on SNL, featured the actress hilariously spoofing Nicks as the owner of an imaginary Tex-Mex restaurant in Sedona, Arizona. Complete with flowing shawls, ethereal twirls, and a raspy rendition of “Landslide” reworked into a jingle about fajitas and nachos, the parody was equal parts absurd and unforgettable. However, Lawless admitted that she almost turned down the idea. “I was hesitant,” she shared with Rosenbaum. “I wasn’t sure if it would land the right way or if people would even find it funny. But the SNL team was so enthusiastic about the concept, and they convinced me to give it a shot.” Her initial reservations faded once she stepped into the role, leaning into Nicks’s signature ethereal style with gusto. “It was one of the most nerve-wracking and fun experiences I’ve ever had,” Lawless said. “I’m so glad I trusted the writers and embraced the absurdity of it all.” The sketch quickly became a fan favorite, with viewers praising Lawless’s comedic timing and her uncanny impersonation of Nicks. Over the years, it has earned a place in SNL history as one of the show’s most memorable celebrity parodies. Despite its enduring popularity, Lawless noted that the sketch was all in good fun. “I’ve always had the utmost respect for Stevie Nicks,” she emphasized. “She’s a musical legend, and the sketch was meant to be a playful homage.” Lawless’s SNL appearance remains a standout moment in her career, showcasing her versatility and willingness to step outside her comfort zone. And for fans, her unforgettable turn as Stevie Nicks in “Fajita Roundup” proves that sometimes taking a risk leads to iconic results.
Lucy Lawless, best known for her role as Xena: Warrior Princess, recently opened up about her iconic Stevie Nicks Saturday Night Live sketch in a candid interview. The sketch, which aired in 1998, saw Lawless playing the role of the legendary singer in a hilarious parody.
Reflecting on the sketch, Lawless admitted that she was hesitant to take on the role at first. “I almost said no,” she revealed. “I was nervous about portraying such an iconic figure like Stevie Nicks. But I ultimately decided to go for it and I’m so glad I did.”
Lawless went on to explain that she worked closely with the SNL writers to perfect her portrayal of Nicks, studying her mannerisms and vocal inflections. The end result was a sketch that had audiences laughing out loud and praising Lawless for her comedic chops.
Despite her initial reservations, Lawless has fond memories of the experience and is grateful for the opportunity to pay homage to one of her musical idols. “It was a challenge, but it was also a lot of fun,” she said. “I’m just glad I didn’t let fear hold me back from trying something new.”
Fans of both Lucy Lawless and Stevie Nicks can relive the hilarious sketch on YouTube and enjoy Lawless’ spot-on portrayal of the rock legend.
If Lucy Lawless had had her way, her cult favorite impersonation of Stevie Nicks may never have happened.
On the latest episode of Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, the host asked Lawless, 56, about her 1998 appearance onSaturday Night Live. Specifically, Rosenbaum wanted to know all about “Stevie Nicks’ Fajita Roundup,” a sketch in which the Xena: Warrior Princessstar spoofed Nicks in a commercial for the Fleetwood Mac frontwoman’s imaginary Sedona, Ariz., Tex-Mex restaurant.
“I’d seen Stevie Nicks on something,” Lawless told Rosenbaum. “She had really black eyes for whatever reason. And I asked them for these — ‘Can I have contacts like that?’ And they got me fitted real quick and then bunged these things in to do the skit. And I couldn’t see anybody, and I was really alone in my head.”
Stevie Nicks in ‘Fleetwood Mac: The Dance’ in 1997.
MTV / Courtesy Everett
At the time, Nicks was experiencing a career resurgence, thanks to Fleetwood Mac’s 1997 live reunion album The Dance and an accompanying MTV special, as well as her own solo career spanning 1998 box set Enchanted.
In 2020, former SNL writer Hugh Fink explained to The Ringer that the “Fajita Roundup” sketch was meant to play up the singer’s witchy, hippie vibe — complete with a tambourine and a wind machine blowing Lawless’ blond wig in the fake commercial — while also lampooning what a ’70s rock super star might be doing two decades after their heyday.
But, Lawless told Rosenbaum, despite having been a fan of Nicks’s music as a kid, she wasn’t initially sold on the bizarre sketch.
“I’ve got these stupid contacts in right? And I did not think the skit was funny,” she said. “I didn’t understand the cultural references. So maybe that was the magic ingredient is that I didn’t think it was funny.”
In fact, she was so uncertain about the sketch, she actually asked SNL creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels to cut it.
Lucy Lawless in 1995’s ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ and in October 2024.
Mca Tv/Renaissance/Kobal/Shutterstock; Don Arnold/WireImage
“I said to Lorne, ‘Lorne, dude, you know, it’s not funny. Please cut it,’ ” she recalled. “He said, ‘No. No, I think it’s a sleeper hit.’ ”
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It turns out Michaels was right. While “Stevie Nicks’ Fajita Roundup” is far from one of SNL’s most famous, it continues to show up on social media to this day. Ahead of Nicks’ October 2024 appearance on SNL — her first since 1983 — more than one fan took to social media hoping that either the singer or host Ariana Grande would revive the sketch.
For her part, Nicks loved the sketch. According to The Ringer, the “Rhiannon” singer told Madison magazine in 2011 that it was “one of my all-time favorite things ever.”
“When everybody told me, I was like, ‘Oh no, it’s going to be just awful …,’ ” Nicks said. “But it wasn’t. Lucy looked amazing, and she was amazing as me. So I could not have been happier.”
Lucy Lawless, best known for her role as Xena: Warrior Princess, recently revealed that she begged Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels to cut her Stevie Nicks sketch from the show.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lawless admitted that she was nervous about portraying the iconic singer on live television. “I’m a huge fan of Stevie Nicks and I didn’t want to do her any disservice,” Lawless explained.
Despite her reservations, Lawless went through with the sketch, but immediately regretted it. “I was so worried that I wasn’t doing Stevie justice,” Lawless said. “I begged Lorne Michaels to cut the sketch, but he insisted that it was fine.”
Lawless’s performance as Stevie Nicks may not have been her favorite, but fans of the show still enjoyed seeing her take on the legendary singer. And while Lawless may have been critical of her own performance, it’s clear that she put in the effort to do justice to the rock icon.
Even though Lawless may have had doubts about her portrayal, it’s clear that her dedication to the role was evident in her performance. And while she may have wanted the sketch to be cut, fans will always remember her as the fierce warrior princess who took on Stevie Nicks on the SNL stage.
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Lucy Lawless, Stevie Nicks, SNL, Saturday Night Live, Lorne Michaels, comedy sketch, celebrity cameo, comedy show, television, entertainment industry, comedy writing, celebrity guest appearance, iconic singer, comedy performance, funny moments, behind the scenes, pop culture, entertainment news.
Price: $20.00 – $17.99 (as of Dec 21,2024 05:06:02 UTC – Details)
Publisher : St. Martin’s Griffin; Reprint edition (October 30, 2018) Language : English Paperback : 352 pages ISBN-10 : 1250295629 ISBN-13 : 978-1250295620 Item Weight : 2.31 pounds Dimensions : 5.3 x 0.95 x 8.2 inches
Customers say
Customers find the book interesting and well-written. They praise Stevie Nicks as a talented singer and performer. The book provides good information about the music and inner circle of Fleetwood Mac. However, some readers feel the writing is boring and dry, with glaring errors. Opinions differ on the writing quality – some find it well-written and hard to put down, while others find it terrible and repetitive.
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Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks
Stevie Nicks is a legendary icon in the music industry, known for her ethereal voice, poetic lyrics, and iconic fashion sense. In Gold Dust Woman: The Biography of Stevie Nicks, author Stephen Davis delves into the life and career of this enigmatic rock goddess.
From her early days as a struggling musician in California to her rise to fame as the lead singer of Fleetwood Mac, Davis traces Nicks’ journey through the highs and lows of the music industry. He explores her tumultuous relationships with bandmates, lovers, and friends, as well as her battles with addiction and personal demons.
Through interviews with Nicks herself, as well as those closest to her, Davis paints a vivid portrait of a woman who defied convention and blazed her own trail in a male-dominated industry. He delves into Nicks’ creative process, her inspirations, and the stories behind some of her most beloved songs.
Gold Dust Woman is a must-read for any fan of Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, or the music of the 1970s and 1980s. With its rich storytelling and intimate look at one of music’s most beloved figures, this biography is sure to captivate and inspire readers of all ages.
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