I recently had the chance to sit down with legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks to discuss her decision to remain childfree and her advocacy for reproductive rights. Throughout her iconic career, from her time as the “Reigning Queen of Rock & Roll” with Fleetwood Mac to her acclaimed solo work, Nicks has been open about her choice not to have children. It’s a decision she says was ultimately necessary to allow her to fully pursue her artistic passions.
“Do you want to be an artist and a writer, or a wife and a lover?” Nicks asked InStyle back in 2002. Nicks told InStyle back in 2002. “With kids, your focus changes. I don’t want to go to PTA meetings.” While Nicks once described not having children as “her ultimate sacrifice for Fleetwood Mac,” she now carries no regrets about the path she’s chosen.
“Maybe I knew then that I had to be myself in Fleetwood Mac, a huge band that was on its way to becoming legendary,” she told Rolling Stone. “Not only did [not having kids] allow me to follow my dream of being this rock & roll woman, but it also allowed me to be this person who just wrote this song,” she told Rolling Stone.
An Advocate For Reproductive Rights
Nicks’ personal experiences have also shaped her into a vocal advocate for abortion rights. In 2020, she opened up about having an abortion in the late 1970s while dating Eagles singer Don Henley, crediting the procedure with allowing her to remain in Fleetwood Mac and continue her musical success.
“If I had not had that abortion, I’m pretty sure there would have been no Fleetwood Mac,” Nicks told The Guardian. “It was simply impossible for me to have a child at that time, given the intense and continuous work we were doing.” And there were a lot of drugs; I was doing a lot of drugs… I would have had to walk away.”
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Nicks has continued to be a vocal advocate, penning the song “The Lighthouse” and speaking out in interviews about the importance of protecting reproductive healthcare.
“It’s not just about not being careful and having an abortion,” she told Rolling Stone. “It’s everything. It’s all the health care. It’s an ectopic pregnancy. Half of us never undergo the necessary procedures in our bodies, while the other half experience significantly more than others.
The Influence Of Janis Joplin
While Nick’s decision to remain childless was a personal one, she credits another iconic female artist as having a profound influence on her career—Janis Joplin. Nicks recalled the first time she saw Joplin perform, saying, “When I first saw Janis, she was very angry. The first band had run out of time, and when she came on stage screaming, it scared me to death. I was hiding behind the amps.”
“She was not a beautiful woman, but very attractive. I was very taken with her,” Nicks added, noting that Joplin’s raw, confrontational stage presence left a lasting impact. It’s a spirit that Nicks has channeled in her own dynamic performances, delivering emotional, almost trance-like renditions that have captivated audiences for decades.
Looking Back And Moving Forward
As Nicks reflects on her storied career, she has no regrets about the choices she’s made, both personal and professional. Her unwavering commitment to her art has solidified her status as a true icon of rock and roll.
“It’s everything. It’s all the health care. It’s an ectopic pregnancy. Half of us never undergo the necessary procedures in our bodies, while the other half undergo significantly more than others, according to Nicks. And with her continued advocacy for reproductive rights, Nicks is ensuring that her legacy extends far beyond the stage, making a lasting impact on the lives of women everywhere.
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