Eight years have passed since the world lost one of its most extraordinary musicians, Prince. He was discovered dead at his Paisley Park residence in Minneapolis in April 2016, at the age of 57.
Throughout his life, Prince was not only a prolific singer-songwriter and musician but also collaborated with numerous iconic artists. One of those artists was Stevie Nicks from Fleetwood Mac, who recently shared insights into their friendship. She recounted how Prince once expressed concern about her struggles with drug use.
Their collaboration began in the early 1980s, blossoming into a profound friendship. Nicks, now 73, reminisced about feeling flattered when she realized Prince had an interest in her. “Prince and I were just friends”, she explained in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar. “I think he would have been happy to have had a relationship.”
While on her honeymoon with ex-husband Kim Anderson, Nicks heard Prince’s hit “Little Red Corvette” and felt inspired to create her own song. “Suddenly, I was singing along: ‘Stand back!’” she told Uncle Joe Benson on the Ultimate Classic Rock Nights radio show. “I asked Kim to pull over because I needed to record this, so we found a store and bought a tape recorder.”
That night, she worked tirelessly on what would become the lead single from her 1983 solo album, The Wild Heart, which eventually reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After completing her song “Stand Back”, Nicks arranged a meeting with Prince, and within 20 minutes, they were introduced in a Los Angeles studio. Prince listened to her track and quickly went to the keyboard to contribute his unique touches. Afterward, he hugged her and left. “He spoiled me for every band I’ve ever had because no one could replicate what Prince did all by himself”, Nicks remarked in her book Rock Lives.
Despite her admiration for him, Nicks chose not to pursue a romantic relationship, valuing their musical bond instead. “I wanted a creative partnership, and I had learned early on that relationships could end badly”, she explained. “He wasn’t just looking for that.”
Interestingly, Prince’s song “When Doves Cry” was inspired by Nicks’ “Edge of Seventeen”, Nicks candidly admitted that during their collaboration, she was deeply involved in drug use. “The eighties were a dark time for me”, she told The New Yorker. “Prince was very much against drugs, and it shocked me to learn he ended up on pain medication. He often lectured me about my habits.”
Nicks recalled their conversations, where Prince would warn her: “You gotta be careful, Stevie”, to which she would respond: “I know, I know”, In the wake of his death, she expressed her sorrow, noting: “It’s tragic that he died of an accidental overdose. I can hear him saying: ‘Sweetie, I can’t believe it happened either’”.
Prince’s concern was warranted, as Nicks ultimately entered rehab twice. In 1986, she sought help at the Betty Ford Clinic for cocaine addiction and returned to treatment in 1993 for an over-prescription of Klonopin.
In 1986, during a visit with a plastic surgeon regarding her nose, she learned she had severely damaged it from her drug use. “I asked the doctor what he thought about my nose, and he replied: ‘The next time you do cocaine, you could drop dead’”, Nicks recalled. This prompted her to seek help at the Betty Ford Clinic, a decision that helped turn her life around and potentially saved her career.
It’s a tragedy that Prince couldn’t overcome his own struggles with opioids. Nicks’ experiences underscore his musical genius and the generosity of his talent. He remains an irreplaceable legend, forever missed by countless fans worldwide.
Celebrating 81 years of Dynasty’s Krystle Carrington: Check out her current look!
The American soap opera “Dynasty” captured audiences worldwide in the 1980s, drawing viewers in with its compelling drama and complex relationships among characters like Blake Carrington, his wife Krystle Carrington, their children, and Blake’s ex-wife Alexis. The saga of the affluent Carrington family kept thousands glued to their screens, making the actors of “Dynasty” household names. Even today, many cherish the memories of this iconic series.
“Dynasty” was groundbreaking for its era, featuring intense power struggles, romantic conflicts, and sibling rivalries. The 1980s, characterized by bold colors, glamour, and extravagant hairstyles, provided the perfect backdrop for this opulent series.
At the heart of its success were the unforgettable performances of the cast, particularly Linda Evans and Joan Collins, who portrayed the fierce rivalry between Krystle and Alexis. Linda Evans embodied Krystle Grant Jennings Carrington, a character often seen as the heart of the show. Having started from the series’ inception, Evans received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 1982 for her role.
Reflecting on her journey, Evans once said: “That role was the answer to a prayer. I had just separated from my second husband and was uncertain about my future. I had never aimed to be an actress; I wanted to be a wife and mother. But at 39, I decided to pursue my career, and soon after, ‘Dynasty’ came along”.
Evans found a kindred spirit in Krystle, who sought love over wealth, embodying the same desires Evans had in her own life. Before her fame on “Dynasty”, Evans had already made a name for herself as “Audra” in the 1960s western series “The Big Valley” alongside Barbara Stanwyck.
After the series wrapped, Evans faced personal challenges, including depression following the illness of loved ones. In a 2016 interview, she described this period: “My life was in pieces. I struggled to understand my depression, and my health suffered”.
Although she stepped away from acting after 1997, Evans made a notable return in the 2021 film “Swan Song”. “I’m in love with this movie”, she shared. “It’s remarkable to be working at 78, but as I say: ‘Anything is possible’.”
Now at 81, Evans continues to inspire fans, reminding us of the enduring legacy of “Dynasty” and its beloved characters.
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