Crying in the Night

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with some far-out trivia about "Crying in the Night" by Buckingham Nicks, the opening track from their 1973 self-titled album. This Stevie Nicks composition holds a special place in music history as the first song recorded on the Neve Console at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, a legendary piece of equipment that shaped countless iconic records. According to a comment on Songfacts, Stevie Nicks reportedly wrote this tune with actress Lesley Anne Warren in mind, envisioning a character reminiscent of Miss Kitty from the TV show Gunsmoke—a sultry, independent woman navigating a tough world. The song’s lyrics, like “She was that kind of lady / Times were hard,” capture a gritty yet seductive vibe, perfect for the Zoo Crew’s late-night spins.

Another juicy tidbit comes from the album’s recording sessions, which were a pivotal moment for Buckingham Nicks. In a 1994 interview with The Island Ear, Stevie Nicks recalled the excitement of landing a deal with Polydor Records after shopping their demos around: “We had a taste of the big time. We had great musicians in a big, grand studio. We were happening. Things were going our way.” Yet, despite their high hopes, the album, including “Crying in the Night,” didn’t get the promotional push it deserved from Polydor, leading to its commercial flop. However, the song found a second life when Nicks performed it on her 2016 24 Karat Gold tour, her first time singing it live since 1973, as noted on Wikipédia. This revival thrilled fans, proving the song’s enduring magic for Zoo Freaks tuning in.

The story of Buckingham Nicks begins with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, who met as teenagers at Menlo-Atherton High School in California. According to a 1981 interview with The Source, Nicks joined Buckingham in harmony at a 1966 school gathering, singing “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas. Two years later, Buckingham invited her to join his psychedelic rock band, Fritz, as detailed in a 1988 Us Magazine interview. Nicks, who had been focused on folk music, jumped into the rock scene, and Fritz opened for big acts like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, giving them invaluable stage experience. After Fritz disbanded in 1972, Nicks and Buckingham formed their duo, recording demos at night in a coffee plant owned by Buckingham’s father, as noted in a Pitchfork review.

Their big break came when producer Keith Olsen heard their demos and brought them to Sound City Studios. With a distribution deal from Polydor, they recorded Buckingham Nicks, but its lack of commercial success left them struggling. Nicks worked odd jobs, including as a waitress and cleaner for Olsen, while Buckingham honed his guitar skills, as mentioned on Wikipédia. Their fortunes changed when Fleetwood Mac’s Mick Fleetwood heard their track “Frozen Love” at Sound City and invited Buckingham to join the band, with Buckingham insisting Nicks come along, per Britannica. This marked the start of their legendary run with Fleetwood Mac, though their 1973 album remains a cult favorite for Zoo Freaks.

For more on Buckingham Nicks, check out Stevie Nicks’ official website at stevienicks.info and Lindsey Buckingham’s at lindseybuckingham.com. Follow Stevie on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and catch Lindsey on Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans can dive deeper at the Stevie Nicks fan site or join the Stevie Nicks Fans Facebook group. While no official Buckingham Nicks fan pages exist, the Fleetwood Mac Fans Facebook group often buzzes with love for their early work, perfect for Zoo Freaks looking to connect.