Bella Donna at 40

2021 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Bella Donna, the solo debut of the iconic Stevie Nicks.

A critically acclaimed, multi-platinum success, Bella Donna has proven to be an enduring work whose legacy has seen it influence everything from modern rock to dance-oriented R&B. And yet the inaugural solo venture from the Fleetwood Mac singer was viewed as anything but a sure thing before its release.

In the early ’70s Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, then her music partner and boyfriend, had attracted a decent following on the California music scene, first as part of the group Fritz, then as a duo. Their 1973 LP Buckingham Nicks, however, while now a collector’s item for vinyl aficionados, failed to ignite on launch, leading to the duo lose their major label deal. But the album did provide an effective showcase of the pair’s capabilities and brought them to the attention of Fleetwood Mac. That band, mostly known for its melding of ‘60/‘70s art rock and British blues, was at a crossroads. Having lost a couple of key members, Mac was looking for someone to provide a counterpoint to the sunny pop sensibilities of pianist/singer/songwriter Christine McVie. Buckingham and Nicks proved to be ideal additions; that classic combination saw massive successive with Fleetwood Mac in 1975 and especially the legendary Rumours in 1977, before misunderstood masterpiece Tusk slowed the band’s…