Buckingham Nicks Reissue Fuels Collector Demand Amid Nostalgia-Driven Music Trend

Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, the duo who would later become central figures in Fleetwood Mac, are reissuing their 1973 self-titled album Buckingham Nicks for the first time on streaming platforms and CD, ending decades of limited availability. The album, which initially failed to chart commercially, has long been a sought-after artifact among collectors, with used vinyl copies selling for $20 to $90 depending on condition [1]. The reissue announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a reunion of sorts for the duo, who were then a romantic couple but now share a complicated history.

The 1973 album, featuring Nicks and Buckingham’s signature harmonies and Buckingham’s distinctive guitar work, was recorded during a formative period for both musicians. Despite its cult following, the record was panned at the time, with a Pittsburgh Press review noting its “whiny vocal blend” and dismissing it as “pleasant, albeit unremarkable” [2]. Polydor Records abandoned the duo shortly after release, prompting Nicks to return to waitressing and Buckingham to tour with Don Everly. However, the album’s influence indirectly shaped Fleetwood Mac’s trajectory: drummer Mick Fleetwood discovered Buckingham after hearing the track “Frozen Love” at Sound City Studios, leading to Buckingham joining the band in 1974 and persuading Nicks to follow [3].

The reissue’s timing capitalizes on renewed interest in the album’s historical significance. Music historians and record store owners highlight its scarcity and mythic status. Brian Mansfield, a Nashville-based music historian, described Buckingham Nicks as “a record everyone has heard of but few have heard,” noting its iconic but controversial nude cover art [4]. Retailers like Michael Bell of Hunky Dory Records emphasized its immediate sell-out potential, with customers eager to acquire physical copies that had previously been hard to find [5]. Geoff Good of Cheapo Discs, who owns a 1974 copy of the album, praised its songwriting and harmonies but acknowledged its underappreciated status at the time of release [6].

The duo’s early collaboration reflects their musical and personal dynamics. Nicks and Buckingham met in high school and later joined forces in Los Angeles, blending folk-rock influences with Buckingham’s innovative guitar techniques. Their breakup during the making of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (1977) became a defining narrative, with tensions spilling into their live performances and public interactions. Recent social media posts, however, suggest a thawed relationship: Nicks and Buckingham shared a billboard promoting the reissue and exchanged lines from “Frozen Love” on Instagram [7].

Analysts note that the reissue underscores the enduring fascination with Fleetwood Mac’s origins. While Buckingham Nicks lacks the commercial polish of later works like Rumours, its raw creativity and historical context make it a compelling artifact for fans. Mansfield acknowledged the album’s limitations but emphasized its role as a precursor to Fleetwood Mac’s success [8]. The reissue also aligns with broader trends in music nostalgia, with collectors and streaming audiences seeking rediscovered gems from the 1970s.

The reunion of Nicks and Buckingham, albeit in a promotional capacity, highlights the enduring cultural legacy of their early collaboration. As Buckingham noted in announcing the reissue, the album “stands up in a way you hope it would,” despite being created by “two kids who were pretty young to be doing that work” [9]. For longtime fans and new listeners alike, Buckingham Nicks offers a rare window into the pre-Fleetwood Mac era of two artists who would later define rock music’s most iconic era.

Source: [1] [Buckingham Nicks Reissue Announcement] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [2] [Pittsburgh Press Review of Buckingham Nicks] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [3] [Fleetwood Mac’s Formation and Buckingham’s Role] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [4] [Brian Mansfield’s Comments on the Album’s Legacy] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [5] [Michael Bell’s Retail Insights] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [6] [Geoff Good’s Assessment of the Album] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [7] [Instagram Posts and Billboard Promotion] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [8] [Mansfield’s Analysis of the Album’s Legacy] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/]; [9] [Buckingham’s Statement on the Reissue] [https://fortune.com/2025/07/25/lindsey-buckingham-stevie-nicks-reissue-vinyl-before-fleetwood-mac/].