BUCKINGHAM NICKS

When Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks released their musical collaboration, "Buckingham Nicks" back in 1973, their debut album didn't really receive much attention. They had first met while attending high school in Northern California, both aspiring to become musicians. They began working together after school when Buckingham asked Nicks to join his band, Fitz. During this time, Nicks and Buckingham drifted into a romantic relationship. Fitz achieved some moderate success yet soon disbanded.

Buckingham and Nicks continued on as a duo, attracting the attention of producer, Keith Olsen who worked with them to record some demos. This lead to them getting signed with Polydor Records in 1972.

The album, "Buckingham Nicks" showcased the emerging talents of both of these young musicians, giving them their first taste of professional recording sessions and working with some great musicians. The duo hit the road to promote the album, generating some interest from audiences, but their label failed to give their record much of a promotional push. The couple would have to find other means of financial support following the album's lackluster performance and being let go by their management company.

But their fortunes changed after Mick Fleetwood happened to hear some of their songs while visiting Olsen at the recording studio. Bob Welch had just left his band, Fleetwood Mac and he was intrigued by the sounds of Buckingham and Nicks. Fleetwood invited the couple to meet the other members of his band, Christine and John McVie for dinner and they all seemed to click. And a new band was born that evening. With Olsen on board as co-producer, the self-titled album from this newly formed rock group was released in 1975, reaching number one on the US Billboard Album chart the following year thanks to the hit singles, "Over My Head", "Rhiannon", and "Say You Love Me".

Now over fifty years later, after not being available to hear in any format, "Buckingham Nicks" has just been reissued and remastered on CD, vinyl and streaming. This ten song collection will certainly be more appreciated now as the album reveals their burgeoning artistry and clear indications of what they would go on to contribute to Fleetwood Mac.