Finally: Buckingham Nicks!

·44 min·4 clips

Why did a 1973 album that sold only 35,000 copies become the secret key to Fleetwood Mac's superstardom?

Ray Koob and Marcus Goldman, hosts with over 50 years of rock radio experience, introduce the episode as a surprise reissue story. They begin by noting the album 'Buckingham Nicks' sold minimally upon its 1973 release, with only around 35,000 copies, and was largely forgotten. The hosts explain that the album was recorded at Sound City Studios in analog and never officially released digitally until 2025. They trace Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham's origins back to high school in Atherton, California, and their early band Fritz, which opened for acts like Jimi Hendrix. Producer Keith Olsen, formerly of the band The Music Machine, produced the Buckingham Nicks demo. Olsen played this demo for Mick Fleetwood to showcase Sound City's new Neve board, leading Fleetwood to ask, 'Who are those guys?' and eventually recruit them into Fleetwood Mac after Bob Welch's departure. The album featured notable session musicians like drummers Jim Keltner and Ronnie Tutt, guitarist Waddy Wachtel, and others. Polydor Records shelved the album after poor sales, though singles were released in 1973 and 1977. The cover shoot involved Stevie Nicks crying after being asked to remove her blouse, with Lindsey Buckingham calling it 'art,' highlighting early tensions. Songs like 'Don't Let Me Down Again' contained riffs that later evolved into Fleetwood Mac's 'Secondhand News.' The album includes tracks such as 'Crying in the Night,' 'Stephanie' (an instrumental), and 'Lola, My Love,' showcasing the duo's vocal and musical chemistry. The reissue, licensed through Rhino and owned by Nicks and Buckingham, debuted at number 2 on US charts, sparking discussions on Reddit and NPR. The hosts speculate on an alternate history where the album succeeded initially, possibly preventing the duo from joining Fleetwood Mac. They praise Keith Olsen's subsequent production work with acts like Ozzy Osbourne, Grateful Dead, and Pat Benatar. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to support local record stores and appreciate the album's role in rock history.

As heard by us

A scruffy, surprised look at Buckingham Nicks and the sounds that came before Fleetwood Mac.

Buckingham Nicks lands as a real surprise: a record few expected to see back in stores, rooted in a creative partnership framed as hot-cold and often tumultuous.

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Why you'd press play

You get a Buckingham Nicks surprise, then follow the riffs that later echo through Fleetwood Mac.

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