Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart Discuss Touring Together for the First Time

Idea for the shows came from Stewart's daughters. 
Plus: New LPs from both
By Patrick Doyle
FEBRUARY 2, 2011
Rollingstone Magazine

Rod Stewart hadn't seen Stevie Nicks since the mid-1980s, when both of them were recording in the same L.A. studio. Until last month, that is, when the pair, who are gearing up for a 16-date co-headlining tour‚ were reunited to perform on Ellen. "I tiptoed up behind him and put my arms around his waist from the back," Nicks tells Rolling Stone. Adds Stewart, "I'd know those hands anywhere."

The pair have never worked together before, but they've crossed paths over the years. Nicks recalls attending a New Year's party in the Seventies at Stewart's L.A. home. Nicks remembers Stewart, afraid she was drunk and might damage his collection of Tiffany lamps, asking, "Can I have that glass of wine before you walk in?' I was horrified." Stewart says, "Oh, the bitch I am sometimes. I probably wanted more wine for myself."

The idea for the shows (which kick off in March) came last year from Stewart's daughters Ruby and Kimberly. "They love Stevie," he says. "She's just ultra-cool – she has a cult." Nicks will open the three-plus-hour show with solo tunes and Fleetwood Mac classics, followed by a Stewart set that will likely mix deep tracks and hits.

100 Greatest Singers of All Time: Stevie Nicks

They're still working out the pacing, but there will be a portion of the shows where they sing together. "We won't let people down on that score," Stewart says, adding he hopes to tackle Nicks and Don Henley's 1981 duet, "Leather and Lace." Nicks wants to join Stewart on "The First Cut Is the Deepest" and "Reason to Believe." "That'd be a wonderful one," he says. "We're both sort of sopranos, so it'll sound great."

INTERVIEW, MEET AND GREET PLUS Q & A WITH STEVIE NICKS

Saturday February 19th: 3:00-5pm Sunset Sessions

Special Superstar interview, Q&A and meet-n-greet 

in Center Court with Stevie Nicks at Sunset Sessions in Southern California

Stevie is also expected to perform at this industry get together as well.

Sunset Sessions


You can read more about it in an earlier post here

"CHEAPER THAN FREE" Dave Stewart Interview Includes Much Longer Song Clip.

Check this out!... Get to know a little bit of history on Dave Stewart... PLUS there's a much longer clip of "Cheaper Than Free" than what's on The Blackbird Diaries website... I'm liking what I hear.. Sounds really great!... This interview was recorded last fall when he was in Nashville.

"What's faster than a fast car

A beating heart

What's deeper than a deep well

The love into which I fell

More important than freedom

Being needed

More exciting than high fashion

High passion!"

It's the version that's on Dave's album (he called it the country version), which sounds as if there's an alternate version that'll be on Stevie's album.  He also tells the story about where the song title came from.  

Dave's album The Blackbird Diaries is due out in May. 

[link] Music Business Radio Episode #135

"Here's the episode with Dave Stewart. Acts he's been part of include Eurythmics, Traveling Wilburys, The Tourists, and Longdancer. As a songwriter and producer, he's worked with dozens of acts including No Doubt, Imogen Heap, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Katy Perry, Aretha Franklin, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

His new album, The Blackbird Diaries, was recorded in just four days and includes 14 new songs, including a co-write with Bob Dylan and duets with Stevie Nicks, Martina McBride, and Colbie Caillat.

This episode talks his new album and has the stories behind the songs and how they were recorded. We talk Dave's first record deal, working with Elton John's record label, touring the world with Annie Lennox, his songwriting process, how Traveling Wilburys was formed, artist development, and what it's like to work with iconic artists like Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks."

WIN TICKETS TO SEE STEVIE NICKS IN FEBRUARY

- Sunset Sessions 2011 -
102.1 KPRI FM

About Sunset Sessions: It’s San Diego’s biggest music industry convention. It’ll be over 30 bands in 3 days. It’s the place where radio, music supervisors from film and tv, record companies, managers, publishers, and booking agents come together to discover the best new music of 2011. This year it’ll take place at the lovely La Costa Resort and Spa, February 17th – 19th.

Confirmed so far: Stevie Nicks, Crytsal Bowersox, Nicole Atkins, Cas Haley, KD Lang, Iron & Wine, Everest, Augustana, Black Dub, Anya Marina and many more.

We’ve scored some tickets and a 3 night stay at the La Costa Resort & Spa that we want to pass along to you. It’s the KPRi New Music Discovery. The only thing is, we want to make sure we bring Freequent Listeners who are as into music as we are.

Here’s how to win: Listen at at 9:20am and 6:20pm Monday – Friday (1/31-2/4). Solve our new music montage and you could be joining us for the Sunset Sessions!

Prize includes a pair of passes to Sunset Sessions (30-40 artist performances throughout the weekend) along with 3-night hotel accommodations at La Costa Resort and Spa.

All the entry details here

Sunset Sessions

STEVIE BOOKS FEBRUARY INDUSTRY GIG

Stevie Nicks is joining us for 

Sunset Sessions 2011!!!

According to a facebook posting by Sunset Sessions and M:M Music, Stevie has been added to the line up of performers. Friday Feb 18th looks like the likely night she will play as it's Warner Bros Late Night Lounge - but given that it's a 3 day event it could be any one of the nights.

Other Warner acts appearing: The Belle Brigade, Everest, Iron & Wine, and k.d. lang.

Info:

Michele Clark's Sunset Sessions is presented by M:M Music and Quick Clear Music with All Access. It was Broadcast by KPRI. It's an industry only event that brings together radio stations, music supervisors from film and television, record companies, artist managers, and some of the freshest new talent along with some legendary favorites. Its main purpose is to expose the tastemakers of our industry, and in particular the Triple A format, to the bright stars of tomorrow. The event is held over 3 nights.

Website

M:M  Music Weekly Update:

"We’re now just 3 weeks away from this year’s Sunset Sessions and several acts have been added to the already stellar line up including Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks; former Babys and Bad English frontman John Waite; who scored several hits as a solo artist; and the critically acclaimed Makepeace Brothers. You can see the entire line up and schedule of events at www.sunsetsessions.org. If you haven’t registered yet; you can do so on the website and join the close to 40 Triple A radio stations (as well as a few HAC PD’s); and around 50 of the top film & television music supervisors for 40 bands over 3 days; some of the most innovative panels; great food; and gorgeous surroundings.

Website

So let's see... What happened today...

Well, we heard that Ian Drew, Senior Music Editor at Us Weekly, was listening to an advance copy of Stevie's new album today... probably not just for his listening pleasure, but you never know... I suspect it was for some sort of  review in a future US Magazine... He writes a music, tv and movies column for US Magazine Ian in your Ear.   His two reassuring comments, not that we need to be reassured at this point, given the fact that everyone that has heard this new album has totally been blown away by it, citing it as the best of her career.

His comments that we were happy to take in:

"And guess who has new Stevie Nicks advance music 

pumping in his office right now? Yep, me!"

"And btw, this Stevie Nicks album? Probably the best 

of her career. Yeah. Out May 3. Get ready."

Beast Called Fame Video

But prior to that... or during all that, a little bit of both... Dave Stewart popped up on the web a video of new music "Beast Called Fame", a new tune from his album due out in May.  It was filmed during his first live show playing new music in Nashville this past October.  What was interesting though, and I may have taken this the wrong way, but Dave may have suggested that smaller venues will be played when he and Stevie get together at some point this year to promote their products...  

Dave Stewart: "Stevie fans go here Youtube now this could be fun before Stevie Comes on Stage ;) Rock and Fucking Roll !"

Nickslive: "What would be great is seeing her/you in a small venue like this RT @DaveStewart: Stevie fans go here http://bit.ly/ggKq77 this could be fun."

Dave Stewart: "@Nickslive you may be very lucky :)"

Now Dave is also working on a film about Stevie, or a documentary, not really clear what it's going to be, but it's a film... and he's stated that he wants to screen the film in indie type movie houses, which would be smaller venues.  So really you could take his comment both ways.  In any case... the idea is out there, and maybe they'll mix it up, playing smaller venues and the larger venues.

Also, and this will be of particular interest to fans in the UK.  "Ghost The Musical" to which Dave is writing the music for opens in London in July I believe, previews start at the end of June, and I'm sure Dave's making the trip.  It just might be the perfect opportunity for him and Stevie to head on over to the UK - hit a few theatres around the country and make some noise...  There's a huge contingency of fans that would love to see Stevie perform solo over there, trust me, I hear from them!  I mean it's been over 20 years already since she last toured the UK so it's LONG, LONG, LONG over due!

All I know is that from a fan stand point, WOW would it be great to see a Nicks show in a smaller venue like The Belcourt or any one of the thousands of small venues that dot North America.  Will it happen?... That's anyones guess, and probably a long shot, but nobody believed Stevie would record another album either and here we are on the cusp of a new album release.