-
Buckingham Nicks – Before the Glitter Faded: Rare Demos 1973–1974 (12-Inch Album)
Regular price £24.99 GBPRegular priceUnit price per
BUCKINGHAM NICKS History
Buckingham Nicks was the musical partnership between Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks, long before either became household names as members of Fleetwood Mac. The duo released one studio album before bringing their voices and songwriting to Fleetwood Mac.
The pair met while attending Menlo-Atherton High School in California during the 1960s. Sharing a love of folk, rock and harmony-driven songwriting, they began performing together before eventually becoming both musical collaborators and romantic partners. Their chemistry was immediately obvious, with Buckingham’s intricate guitar playing perfectly complementing Nicks’ distinctive voice and poetic songwriting.
After moving to Los Angeles in pursuit of a recording career, Buckingham and Nicks signed with Polydor Records and released their only album, Buckingham Nicks, in 1973. Although the album received positive reviews, poor sales led to the duo being dropped by their record label before they had the opportunity to record a follow-up.
For many years, Buckingham Nicks was difficult to obtain through a widely available official reissue. Interest in the 1973 recording grew as listeners explored the pair’s work before Fleetwood Mac. That release history changed with Rhino’s remastered reissue in 2025.
The album introduced aspects of the pair’s singing and playing that they later brought to Fleetwood Mac. Songs such as Frozen Love, Crystal, Don’t Let Me Down Again and Crying in the Night demonstrated Buckingham’s sophisticated guitar work and Nicks’ emerging songwriting talent.
The turning point came in late 1974 when Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood visited Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. While listening to studio demonstrations, Fleetwood was impressed by Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar playing and initially invited him to join Fleetwood Mac following the departure of guitarist Bob Welch.
Buckingham agreed on one condition — Stevie Nicks had to join the band as well.
The pair’s arrival introduced a new vocal and songwriting partnership to Fleetwood Mac.
Buckingham and Nicks appeared on the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album in 1975, followed by Rumours in 1977. Many of the songwriting styles, harmonies and musical ideas first heard on Buckingham Nicks would later evolve into some of the biggest albums in rock history.
Rhino reissued Buckingham Nicks on 19 September 2025, including remastered vinyl, CD and digital editions. The reissue made the duo’s original album available again through an official release, alongside surviving copies of the 1973 pressing.
Buckingham and Nicks’ romantic relationship ended during the Fleetwood Mac years, but their professional collaboration continued. Their different writing styles and shared harmonies remained part of the band’s sound.
Buckingham Nicks documents the pair before Fleetwood Mac, with guitar arrangements and vocal interplay that help explain what each brought to the later group. It can be heard as a complete album in its own right as well as an earlier chapter in their careers.
When choosing Buckingham Nicks on vinyl, distinguish the original 1973 Polydor release from the official 2025 Rhino reissue and any other edition. Label, catalogue number, mastering information and condition identify the copy more reliably than a general claim of rarity. The ten-song album offers a focused introduction to the duo’s pre-Fleetwood Mac work.
The pair met while attending Menlo-Atherton High School in California during the 1960s. Sharing a love of folk, rock and harmony-driven songwriting, they began performing together before eventually becoming both musical collaborators and romantic partners. Their chemistry was immediately obvious, with Buckingham’s intricate guitar playing perfectly complementing Nicks’ distinctive voice and poetic songwriting.
After moving to Los Angeles in pursuit of a recording career, Buckingham and Nicks signed with Polydor Records and released their only album, Buckingham Nicks, in 1973. Although the album received positive reviews, poor sales led to the duo being dropped by their record label before they had the opportunity to record a follow-up.
For many years, Buckingham Nicks was difficult to obtain through a widely available official reissue. Interest in the 1973 recording grew as listeners explored the pair’s work before Fleetwood Mac. That release history changed with Rhino’s remastered reissue in 2025.
The album introduced aspects of the pair’s singing and playing that they later brought to Fleetwood Mac. Songs such as Frozen Love, Crystal, Don’t Let Me Down Again and Crying in the Night demonstrated Buckingham’s sophisticated guitar work and Nicks’ emerging songwriting talent.
The turning point came in late 1974 when Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood visited Sound City Studios in Los Angeles. While listening to studio demonstrations, Fleetwood was impressed by Lindsey Buckingham’s guitar playing and initially invited him to join Fleetwood Mac following the departure of guitarist Bob Welch.
Buckingham agreed on one condition — Stevie Nicks had to join the band as well.
The pair’s arrival introduced a new vocal and songwriting partnership to Fleetwood Mac.
Buckingham and Nicks appeared on the self-titled Fleetwood Mac album in 1975, followed by Rumours in 1977. Many of the songwriting styles, harmonies and musical ideas first heard on Buckingham Nicks would later evolve into some of the biggest albums in rock history.
Rhino reissued Buckingham Nicks on 19 September 2025, including remastered vinyl, CD and digital editions. The reissue made the duo’s original album available again through an official release, alongside surviving copies of the 1973 pressing.
Buckingham and Nicks’ romantic relationship ended during the Fleetwood Mac years, but their professional collaboration continued. Their different writing styles and shared harmonies remained part of the band’s sound.
Buckingham Nicks documents the pair before Fleetwood Mac, with guitar arrangements and vocal interplay that help explain what each brought to the later group. It can be heard as a complete album in its own right as well as an earlier chapter in their careers.
When choosing Buckingham Nicks on vinyl, distinguish the original 1973 Polydor release from the official 2025 Rhino reissue and any other edition. Label, catalogue number, mastering information and condition identify the copy more reliably than a general claim of rarity. The ten-song album offers a focused introduction to the duo’s pre-Fleetwood Mac work.
