Stevie Nicks reflects on writing ‘Landslide’ while unsure about her future with Lindsey Buckingham

Stevie Nicks has looked back on the personal and professional uncertainty that inspired her to write Fleetwood Mac’s iconic song Landslide, recalling a time when she was unsure whether she and Lindsey Buckingham should continue their relationship and musical partnership.

The singer, 78, reflected on the song’s origins while attending the City of Hope 2026 Spirit of Life Gala on October 27, where she introduced the track and shared the story behind its creation.

“I wrote this song in Aspen, Colorado, when I was deciding whether or not Lindsey [Buckingham] and I should continue,” Nicks told the audience. “Well, it was a long time ago and 930,000 years later, we still continued.”

Nicks recalled being in a house in the mountains, looking out over snow-covered hills when she felt inspired to write. She explained that the people she was staying with had gone out to dinner, leaving her with the view and time to create.

“I’m like ok because I’m so poor that just sitting in this house when you’re looking out at this view is so fantastic, I’m going to write a fantastic song,” she said.

The singer also joked about the guitar she used to write the track, adding: “I just happened to bring my Goya [guitar], which I could hardly play, but I thought it looked good so I wrote this song.”

Nicks and Buckingham began dating in 1972 and released their album Buckingham Nicks in 1973. The record was not a commercial success, and the pair were dropped by their label, leaving them uncertain about their future in music.

They eventually joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, with Nicks’ Landslide appearing on the band’s self-titled album that year.

Although their romantic relationship ended in 1976 as Fleetwood Mac recorded Rumours, their complicated history continued to shape their music and the band’s legacy.

Buckingham recently revealed that he and Nicks are now in frequent contact, crediting work on a Fleetwood Mac documentary with helping to heal past tensions.

Speaking to E! News in August, Buckingham said the documentary process had been a “circular healing process” for the band and that their relationship had improved.

Nicks has previously described her relationship with Buckingham as difficult and turbulent, but also “fantastic”, reflecting the lasting personal and creative connection between the two musicians.