Buckingham Nicks

Years Active: 1971–1974

Genre/s: Folk Rock, Pop Rock, Soft Rock / California Sound, Roots Rock

Label/s: Polydor, Rhino

Buckingham Nicks was an American folk-rock and pop-rock duo comprised of guitarist-singer Lindsey Buckingham and singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks. Formed in 1971 after the dissolution of their previous psychedelic rock band, Fritz, the duo is famously known as the immediate precursor to their historic, multi-platinum tenure with Fleetwood Mac.

The duo released their singular, self-titled studio album, Buckingham Nicks, on September 5, 1973, through Polydor Records. Recorded at the legendary Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Keith Olsen, the album showcased their intricate vocal harmonies and Buckingham’s signature fingerpicking guitar technique.

Despite its polished soft-rock production, the album was a major commercial failure upon release. Polydor dropped the duo shortly after, leaving them in financial hardship. To pay rent, Nicks worked multiple jobs as a waitress and cleaning lady while Buckingham toured briefly as a guitarist for The Everly Brothers.

Despite poor sales, the album became the direct catalyst for the most successful lineup change in rock history. In late 1974, Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood visited Sound City Studios to check out the facilities. Producer Keith Olsen played him the Buckingham Nicks track "Frozen Love" to demonstrate the studio's acoustics.

Impressed by the guitar work, Fleetwood sought out Buckingham to replace departing guitarist Bob Welch. Buckingham agreed on the condition that Nicks be included as a package deal. Both officially joined Fleetwood Mac on New Year's Eve 1974. They reworked several Buckingham Nicks tracks for their new band; notably, the song "Crystal" was re-recorded for Fleetwood Mac's smash-hit 1975 self-titled album.