Incredible 1976 Performance of ‘Rhiannon’ by Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac is practically a household name. Best known for their 1977 studio album Rumours and tumultuous behind-the-scenes drama, songs like “Dreams” and “Don’t Stop” still dominate both radio and music streaming services to this day. In 1976, Fleetwood Mac was riding high on the release of their 1975 album, eponymously titled Fleetwood Mac.

Somewhat of a sleeper hit, the album achieved middling success until the band decided to promote it. One of the most beloved songs on the album was “Rhiannon”, a song that showcases Stevie Nicks’s vocals and whimsical style to perfection. No performance captures her mystical stage presence quite so well as this one from The Midnight Special.

“This is a song about an old Welsh witch,” Nicks says before she launches right into the now-iconic first verse. While Fleetwood Mac boasts many talented performers, it’s not hard to see why Nicks would later branch into a solo act and achieve further acclaim. Her stage presence is intoxicating: a mixture of sheer intensity and untouchable whimsy. She’s dripping in layers of black chiffon, a fashion choice that has since become her signature.

Nicks has accomplished incredible feats, both as a member of Fleetwood Mac and as a one-woman act. The “Queen of Rock and Roll” is one of the most prolific songwriters of her generation, paving the way for Taylor Swift, Adele, and so many more female artists. In fact, Stevie Nicks is the only woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. Looking back on this performance, no one would question whether or not Nicks is deserving is such an honor. If ever someone wonders why she became an icon, they need only to revisit the incredible performance of “Rhiannon” on The Midnight Special.