Edge Of Seventeen (Live 1981)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "Edge of Seventeen (Live 1981)" by Stevie Nicks from her debut solo album Bella Donna [Extended], and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its chugging guitar riff and raw energy. This song, released as a single on February 4, 1982, carries a fascinating backstory. Its title came from a misheard phrase during a conversation with Jane Benyo, Tom Petty’s then-wife. When Jane mentioned meeting Tom “at the age of seventeen,” her Southern accent made it sound like “edge of seventeen” to Nicks, who loved the phrase and promised to write a song around it. Originally, Nicks intended the song to be about the Pettys’ relationship, but the tragic deaths of her uncle Jonathan and John Lennon in December 1980 shifted its focus. Nicks channeled her grief into the lyrics, with the “white-winged dove” symbolizing the spirit leaving the body at death, inspired by a Phoenix restaurant menu describing the bird’s call as sounding like “ooh, ooh, ooh.” The song’s distinctive 16th-note guitar riff, crafted by Waddy Wachtel, became so iconic that it was sampled in Destiny’s Child’s 2001 hit “Bootylicious,” with Nicks making a cameo in the music video, embracing the homage.

Another layer to “Edge of Seventeen” is its emotional depth during live performances, particularly the 1981 version the Zoo Crew is playing. Nicks has shared that her tears at the end of the live recording from the White Winged Dove tour, captured for an HBO special, stemmed from her dread of leaving for France the next day to record Fleetwood Mac’s Mirage. The song’s creation was also shaped by Nicks’ time living with producer Jimmy Iovine, who was devastated by Lennon’s death, as he had been a close friend and mentor. Nicks felt helpless to comfort him, and her uncle’s cancer battle in Phoenix further fueled the song’s raw emotion. Fans on platforms like Reddit praise the live 1981 performance for showcasing Nicks at her peak, with backup singers Sharon Celani and Lori Perry (now Nicks) adding vocal richness that’s become a hallmark of her solo work. The song’s cultural reach extends to covers by artists like Lindsay Lohan and Muna, and its use in films like School of Rock and video games like Grand Theft Auto IV, proving its timeless appeal.

Stevie Nicks, born Stephanie Lynn Nicks on May 26, 1948, in Phoenix, Arizona, began her musical journey early, shaped by her family’s love for music. Her grandfather, Aaron Jess “A.J.” Nicks Sr., a country singer, taught her to sing duets by age four, fostering her passion for performance. Nicks’ childhood was marked by frequent moves due to her father Jess Nicks’ executive job, but her mother Barbara nurtured her love for fairy tales, influencing her mystical lyrical style. In high school, Nicks joined the band The Changing Times, honing her stage presence. Her big break came in 1966 when she met Lindsey Buckingham at a party, harmonizing on “California Dreamin’.” They later formed the band Fritz, which opened for acts like Jimi Hendrix, before recording as the duo Buckingham Nicks in 1973. Though their album flopped, it caught the ear of Mick Fleetwood, leading to their 1975 recruitment into Fleetwood Mac. Nicks’ ethereal voice and songwriting shone on hits like “Rhiannon” and “Dreams,” the latter becoming Fleetwood Mac’s only U.S. number-one single. Her solo career launched with Bella Donna in 1981, which topped the Billboard 200 and solidified her as the “Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll,” as dubbed by Rolling Stone.

Nicks’ enduring legacy is celebrated across her official platforms and fan communities. Her official website, stevienicksofficial.com, offers tour updates, merchandise, and career highlights. On social media, she connects with fans via Facebook, Instagram, and X, sharing tour moments and reflections on her work. Fan-driven spaces amplify her influence, with sites like Stevie Nicks Info providing detailed discographies and news. The Stevie Nicks Fans Facebook group, with thousands of members, is a vibrant hub for Zoo Freaks and others to discuss her music, share rare photos, and organize meetups at concerts. Another fan site, Stevie Nicks Wiki, dives deep into her catalog, including “Edge of Seventeen,” making it a treasure trove for devotees. Nicks’ dual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—first with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019—underscores her impact, and her music continues to resonate with new generations, just as it does with the Zoo Crew’s audience tonight.