A stunning musical biography of Stevie Nicks that paints a portrait of an artist, not a caricature of a superstar. Reflective and expansive,
Mirror in the Sky situates Stevie Nicks as one of the finest songwriters of the twentieth century.
This biography from distinguished music historian Simon Morrison examines Nicks as a singer and songwriter before and beyond her career with Fleetwood Mac, from the Arizona landscape of her childhood to the strobe-lit Night of 1000 Stevies celebrations.
The book uniquely:
- Analyzes Nicks's craft—the grain of her voice, the poetry of her lyrics, the melodic and harmonic syntax of her songs.
- Identifies the American folk and country influences on her musical imagination that place her within a distinctly American tradition of women songwriters.
- Draws from oral histories and surprising archival discoveries to connect Nicks's story to those of California's above- and underground music industries, innovations in recording technology, and gendered restrictions.
Simon Morrison teaches music history at Princeton University.
"Through painstakingly precise research, Simon Morrison brings us a glimpse of the woman behind the chiffon, leather, and lace and provides us with insights into the inspirations and motivations of our generation's most iconic female singer, allowing us to see her in all her dimensions. Fascinating!"—Walter Egan, music producer, songwriter, artist
"Mirror in the Sky is a genuine delight for any Stevie Nicks fan, but an absolute treasure for true music aficionados. Less about the 'rock star lifestyle' than the creative process and collaboration that make the lifestyle possible, it's an incredibly rare glimpse into musical machinations that only those on the inside are familiar with. Everyone wonders what it's like to be a rock star, but if you want to understand how Nicks actually forged that capricious path—becoming a musical icon—this book is for you."—Kristin Casey, author of Rock Monster: My Life with Joe Walsh
264 pp.6 x 9Illus: 25 b/w photographs
9780520304437$24.95|£21.00Hardcover
Oct 2022