Dave Grohl & Stevie Nicks: The Old Dreams & New Realities of Rock and Roll

We are extremely excited about our latest cover story that centers on a conversation between these two legends. While decades separate these artists, a shared passion and drive to make music—with their steady bands, solo or with newfound friends—unites them. Over the course of more than 5,000 words, the candid conversation explores the triumphs and challenges that each has faced while illuminating the rapidly changing landscape faced by newer artists.

CLICK HERE for a special renewal rate and use promo code SPECIAL, before 4/17/13, to get your issue delivered to your mailbox.

As a bonus, you’ll receive a complimentary copy of the 2nd edition of the issue to make your set complete. (Our April/May issue has been printed with 2 unique covers both featuring Dave Grohl and Stevie Nicks.)

In addition, Relix will be revealing one exclusive photo from Dave Grohl and Stevie Nicks’ Sound City Players concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom on February 14 via our Twitter everyday until the issue hits newsstands on April 9. We’re going to start tomorrow, so make sure to follow us so that you don’t miss out on these previously unreleased photos from renowned rock photographer Danny Clinch.

You can also enter our contest to receive free copies of both editions of the April-May 2013 issue featuring Dave Grohl and Stevie Nicks. Ten lucky winners will be chosen on April 12.

Below is an excerpt from the cover story.

Though you two came of musical age at different times, the industry was healthier at either of those times, whether it was the mid-‘90s or the early ‘70s. Musicians today face a much tougher reality between a lack of monetary support from record labels, the new economics of music sales in the digital age and even higher gas prices.

Stevie: They’re hardly getting paid and [companies are] taking all their merchandising and part of their salary. They have nothing.

How do the new Stevie Nicks and Dave Grohls fight to be heard?

Stevie: It’s very hard.

Dave: The reason why Stevie Nicks is really popular is because she’s Stevie Nicks. There weren’t 10,000 Stevie Nickses trying to get a record deal back then or now. There’s just one. The reason why she’s so popular is because of what she does and not everyone can do what she does. It’s the same thing with, “Why did Nirvana become popular? Were there seven other Nirvanas in line waiting to put out a record at that time?” Not really. Kurt [Cobain] was an amazing songwriter with an incredible voice.

Stevie: And incredible charisma.

Dave: He was such a gifted person that if you had met another Kurt Cobain and given him a record deal, do you think the same thing would have happened? If you handed those songs to someone else and said, “Hey, record this record,” it wouldn’t have sounded like Nirvana because it wasn’t Nirvana. The reason why those things happened was because it was what it was, but at the same time, the industry didn’t really…they weren’t waiting for Nirvana to become the biggest band in the world. They pressed 3,500 copies of Nevermind the week it came out, because they thought it would take six months to sell those fucking records. The reason why musicians become popular is because – I can’t say that, because a lot of really shitty musicians become very popular – if you’re really great at what you do and you’re, in some way, able to share it with everyone, then you’ll be recognized for it. I believe that.

You [also] have to define success. What do you consider success? I used to think, “All I want to do is fucking be able to buy corn dogs with money from playing music. Instead of selling equipment, I’d like to be able to play a show and feed myself. That would be awesome.”

Stevie: And have a cool little place.

Dave: I don’t think people should consider a career in music – I honestly don’t because, ultimately, you’re probably going to be disappointed – but it shouldn’t stop you from making music. Playing crazy, noisy punk rock in 1987 wasn’t going to kick Michael Bolton out of the charts, but everybody did it because they loved doing it. Look at the people in the Sound City movie: Neil Young. Why is Neil Young Neil Young? Because he’s fucking Neil Young, that’s why. Why is Paul Paul? Because he’s Paul. All of those people, I honestly believe, the reason why people appreciate what they do is they’re the only people that do what they do.

Stevie: Now, the record companies don’t have any money because a record used to sell for a certain amount of money or a CD sold for 18 bucks. The record company got $10 and then they put that in their coffers and they built that up so they had money to sign the new Dave Grohl or the new Stevie Nicks. [They] helped her or him to morph into the great person they were going to be or the great band they were going to be. Now, kids don’t have that because these record companies – fucking record companies – they can’t do anything for you.

My record [2010’s In Your Dreams, that I love more than anything I’ve ever done, my record company didn’t help me with that. I went out and toured for two fucking years and said, “I’m on a mission. I’m going to play these damn songs, six of them, every night in every city I can until I can walk away and feel like I’ve done everything I can possibly do.” And I’m Stevie Nicks! So how is it for that little girl that’s 22 years old and is as good as me and writes great songs and is really cute and is ready to rock, but can’t support herself?

There’s no record company that’s going to sign her or, if they do sign her, they’re going to change her into a slightly pseudo-rap artist and they’re going to make her wear creepy clothes and make her sing lyrics she hates and tell her she can’t do her own songs. Then her soul is going to die and then what is she going to do?