Ask anyone about the "White Witch" of rock, and they’ll immediately picture a top hat, a tambourine, and those legendary chiffon sleeves. But if you're actually asking what band is Stevie Nicks in, the answer is a little more complicated than just pointing to a single name on a record sleeve.
She isn't just a singer. She's a brand. A mood. A whole era of California rock.
Right now, in 2026, Stevie Nicks is primarily a solo powerhouse. She’s currently crossing the country on her extended solo tour, hitting cities from Brooklyn to Thackerville, Oklahoma. But honestly, you can’t talk about her without talking about the band that made her a household name: Fleetwood Mac. While that group has been largely quiet since the heartbreaking passing of Christine McVie, Stevie’s identity is forever fused with them.
The Band That Changed Everything: Fleetwood Mac
When people search for what band is Stevie Nicks in, they are almost always looking for the drama and the hits of Fleetwood Mac. It’s the ultimate soap opera set to a soft-rock beat.
She joined the group on New Year’s Day, 1975. Before that, Fleetwood Mac was a struggling British blues outfit. Mick Fleetwood, the drummer, heard a track called "Frozen Love" from a duo Stevie was in with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham. He wanted Lindsey. Lindsey said, "We’re a package deal."
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That decision changed music history.
With Nicks on board, the band released Rumours, which has sold over 40 million copies. It’s the definitive "breakup album" because every single member was breaking up with someone else in the band while they recorded it. Stevie was ending things with Lindsey. John and Christine McVie were divorcing. Mick was going through his own mess. You’ve heard "Dreams"? That was Stevie’s side of the story. "Go Your Own Way"? That was Lindsey’s biting response.
Before the Fame: Fritz and Buckingham Nicks
Most fans don't realize Stevie was grinding in the scene way before the chiffon and the mansions. Her first real band was a psychedelic rock group called Fritz.
She met Lindsey Buckingham in high school. They were at a "Young Life" meeting (basically a way to get out of the house on Wednesdays) and started harmonizing to "California Dreamin'." It was kiddy stuff at first, but by 1968, Lindsey invited her to join Fritz. They opened for legends like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Imagine being 20 years old and sharing a stage with Hendrix. It’s wild.
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After Fritz fizzled out in 1971, the duo became Buckingham Nicks. They released one self-titled album in 1973. It flopped. Hard. Stevie was waitressing and cleaning houses just to pay the rent while Lindsey practiced guitar all day. If Mick Fleetwood hadn't walked into Sound City Studios and heard their tape, Stevie might have ended up going back to school for speech communication like her parents wanted.
The Solo Era and The "Ghost Record"
Since 1981, Stevie has lived a double life. She released Bella Donna while still being a full member of Fleetwood Mac, which was basically unheard of at the time. She proved she didn't need the band to be a star. Hits like "Edge of Seventeen" and "Stand Back" defined the 80s just as much as "Rhiannon" defined the 70s.
Lately, she’s been talking about a new project she calls her "ghost record."
She’s been writing autobiographical songs that she says aren't "airy-fairy"—they are real, raw stories about her life and the men she’s loved. It’s her first new solo material in over a decade. Even at 77, she’s out there performing "Landslide" and "Gold Dust Woman" for crowds that span three generations.
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Is Fleetwood Mac Still a Band?
This is the tough part. Following the death of Christine McVie in late 2022, the future of Fleetwood Mac has been dark. Mick Fleetwood has been pretty vocal about the fact that the band is likely "done" in its classic form. Stevie herself has said that without her "best friend" Christine, there’s no reason to go back.
So, if you’re looking for a tour schedule for the full band, you probably won’t find one. But you will find Stevie. She’s the keeper of the flame. When she plays "Rhiannon" today, she isn't just playing a solo hit; she’s keeping the spirit of that 1975 lineup alive.
Quick Summary of Stevie’s Bands
To keep it simple, here is the roadmap of where she’s been:
- The Changing Times: A small folk-rock group in her Phoenix high school days.
- Fritz: Her first professional band with Lindsey Buckingham (1968–1971).
- Buckingham Nicks: A duo act that released one cult-classic album (1973).
- Fleetwood Mac: The legendary rock group she joined in 1975 and stayed with through various reunions.
- Solo Career: Her primary focus since 1981, making her the first woman inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to experience the magic, don't wait for a Fleetwood Mac reunion that might never happen. Check her official website for her 2026 solo dates. Seeing her live is a rite of passage for any rock fan, and with a new album on the horizon, the setlists are only getting more interesting. Grab your tickets early; her shows almost always sell out within hours of the "on-sale" date.