On December 13, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame revealed its class of 2019, and there were quite a few highlights. Perhaps the most significant, however, was Stevie Nicks’ induction as a solo artiste, making her the first woman to be inducted into the Hall of Fame twice, reports Yahoo.
In 1998, Nicks, the American singer and songwriter, was initially inducted along with Fleetwood Mac, a respectable five years after they became eligible. Nick released her debut album, “Bella Donna”, in 1981 which made her eligible for solo induction in 2006. However, this year marked her first time receiving a solo nomination and, not surprisingly; she made it on the first ballot.
In a statement, Nicks said: “I have a lot to say about this, but I will save those words for later. For now, I will just say I have been in a band since 1968. To be recognized for my solo work makes me take a deep breath and smile. It’s a glorious feeling.”
She opens a door for women in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as the institution doesn’t have the best history of equality.
The first woman to be inducted was Aretha Franklin in 1987, and since then, only 44 women or acts featuring women have joined the ranks — that’s just 13.6% of the total 322 pre-2019 members.
This year also marks the first time two women – Nicks and Janet Jackson – will be joining the Hall as members of the same class since 2013, when both Donna Summer and Heart were inducted.
Born in May 26, 1948, Nicks is best known for her work as a songwriter and vocalist with British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, and also for her chart-topping solo career.
Her distinctive voice, mystical stage persona, and poetic, symbolic lyrics, made her an important figure in the rock-and-roll world.
Nicks’ work, both as a member of Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artiste, has produced over 40 top-50 hits and sold over 140 million records, making her one of the best-selling music acts of all time.