Stevie Nicks hails Lindsey Buckingham's guitar playing in pre-Fleetwood Mac letter to parents
Stevie Nicks has given fans a candid insight into the recording of her pre-Fleetwood Mac album with Lindsey Buckingham and her dreams.
Stevie Nicks has offered fans a rare glimpse into her life before superstardom, sharing a personal letter she wrote to her parents at age 25 — long before Fleetwood Mac catapulted her to global fame.
The handwritten note, penned during the recording sessions for 1973's Buckingham Nicks at Sound City Studios, had been tucked away in a drawer for over five decades.
Nicks revealed the letter on social media to celebrate the re-release of her joint album with Lindsey Buckingham, explaining: “I wanted to share this letter I wrote to my family while Lindsey and I were making Buckingham Nicks. My mom saved it and it’s been in a drawer for over 50 years.”
The note captures a young artist navigating the grind of studio life with humour, vulnerability, and a dash of theatrical flair. Nicks describes long days listening to endless music, joking about future dreams of owing a Beverly Hills home, a secluded pool, and even having a “plastic surgery leg lift.” Her playful tone is matched by heartfelt affection for her family, whom she clearly missed during the intense recording process.
She also reflects on turning 25, proposing a month-long celebration to mark the milestone, and teasing her father for looking better than she did despite being nearly twice her age. The note includes a mention of a track her family had enjoyed — Baby Baby, Don’t Treat Me So Bad — and praises Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar work, predicting he might one day be considered one of the greats.
The letter read: "Dear Mom and Dad and Chris,
"Well, here I am - once again at the “famous” Sound City Recording Studio. I am getting very tired of sitting around listening to 12 hours of music per day. Oh well, I know it will pay off in the end, and when I am sitting in my small but luxurious Beverly Hills home overlooking my small but tasteful pool that is totally secluded, where I can sun in the nude and tan my entire fat body while waiting for my plastic surgery leg lift - it will all be worth it. Otherwise, everything here is just “peach-y”.
"I hope that all of my little family is doing fine and not working too hard. I am sure that dad is already beautifully tan and lythe - making those gorgeous blue grey eyes even more sparkling than they usually are. How sickening that he looks better than I do at 47(?) and I’m only 25. (Give me a break, Dad!).
"Speaking of being almost 25 - I have decided that we should set aside the entire month of May to celebrate the fact that I am now 1 quarter of a century old. A new landmark like this should not simply be passed over as yet another birthday, but should include a gala celebration. I shall leave it to the three of you to plan it. By the way, presents will be accepted any time after the first of May - no C.O.D’s please.
"Moving right along - I just want to say that I certainly do miss you all, and wish you could be here to hear some of this stuff. 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 and Lindsey may go down in history as one of “greats” in guitar playing. It really is quite amazing.
"Well, no more news as of yet - so much love to you all - and hold good thoughts about this thing.
I love you, Stevie."
The album introduced Nicks and Buckingham’s tightly wound harmonies and sharply contrasting songwriting voices across 10 tracks, ranging from the folk-rock shimmer of Crystal to the sun-kissed strut of Don’t Let Me Down Again.
Its legend only grew with time. In late 1974, Mick Fleetwood visited Sound City while scouting studios to record Fleetwood Mac’s next album.
Soon after, when Fleetwood Mac guitarist Bob Welch left the band, Fleetwood reached out to offer Buckingham the spot. Instead of agreeing, Buckingham insisted that he and Nicks were a package deal. Fleetwood agreed, and on New Year’s Eve 1974, the two officially joined Fleetwood Mac - launching one of the most celebrated chapters in the band’s history.
Though their work with Fleetwood Mac would eclipse it commercially, Buckingham Nicks endures as a testament to what came just before: a partnership in full creative bloom.
