“I’ve been afraid of changin’ cause I built my life around you.”
That haunting line, delivered with perfection by Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks, hit me like a punch to the gut during a recent drive on Interstate 70. Crazy thing is it wasn’t the original version of “Landslide” blaring through the car speakers (Life advice: Always listen to music loud. Don’t be selfish. Share it.). It was a near spot-on cover by Smashing Pumpkin being played on Sirius XM’s Lithium channel.
The soaring vocal worked wonders with Billy Corgan’s unique voice. It’s one of those moments when music hits so hard, the world grows silent. No phone checking. No outside noise. Nothing but you and the song. A feeling that washes over and doesn’t let go right away. Pure freedom.
And it opened my eyes to something I’ve ignored for years.
Namely Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac.
Never considered myself much of a Mac fan. Sure, if “The Chain” or “Tusk” came across the airwaves, the channel wouldn’t change, but seeking out Fleetwood Mac’s music wasn’t a priority.
That all changed, thanks to Billy Corgan.
The day after hearing Pumpkin’s “Landslide,” I logged onto the Google machine and delved into Fleetwood Mac’s original. Nicks transfixed me with her impeccable vocal, and Lindsay Buckingham, a seriously underrated guitarist, delivered the perfect backdrop to one of the best songs I’ve heard in recent years.
Yes, “Landslide” debuted in 1975 and I’ve heard it several times before hearing the Pumpkins cover it. But I finally discovered the song, and it led me into acquainting myself with the music of Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks.
An open ear can connect you with new music, even if the music is 40 years old.
It happened to me on multiple occasions, most notably in the summer of 2006. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers were celebrating its 30th anniversary by touring with the recently retired Allman Brothers Band. Now, I love the Allmans. Seen them multiple times, and catching them open for Petty sounded like a great way to spend a summer night. So, a former co-worker from the Observer-Reporter and I hit Star Lake Amphitheater. I was geeked to see the Allmans. Petty was an afterthought.
An afterthought until Petty and the Heartbreakers took the stage. The sold-out crowd exuded an intense energy, intent on delivering every line in time with Petty. The band cranked out every hit imaginable. The sound was epic. Petty was grateful. A connection was made.
Four songs into Petty’s set, I forgot the Allmans opened.
And, just like that, Tom Petty became a legend, a guy I put on my Mount Rushmore of music with Jerry Garcia, Bob Marley and Bob Weir. Petty’s music still hits me hard every time I hear it. I haven’t missed one of his Pittsburgh shows since.
Hopefully, Fleetwood Mac’s music can come close to doing the same.
Kovak's Corner 