Stevie Nicks Credits Paul Anka’s “Diana” as Spark for Rock Star Dreams

Stevie Nicks revealed today that hearing Paul Anka’s 1957 hit “Diana” in the fourth grade was the moment she realized she wanted to pursue a career in music.

The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman, reflecting on her early inspirations, recalled listening to the radio with her parents as a child. “I listened to a lot of R&B soul radio,” she said in a 1981 interview. “I loved listening to the radio. When I was a child I was so enthralled with music. I can remember sitting in the backseat of our car with my mom and dad in the front.” She pinpointed “Diana” as the song that ignited her passion, stating, “That was in the fourth grade and that was as early as I remember keying into the radio thinking, ‘Man, I really love that song.’”

Anka’s “Diana” became a massive success, one of the best-selling songs by a Canadian artist, and launched his decades-long career. Nicks’ recollection highlights the profound impact a single song can have on a developing artist, and demonstrates her early self-awareness of her musical calling. This early influence shaped a career that would later define a generation of music fans – you can explore more about the history of Fleetwood Mac on their official website.

Nicks’ story underscores the importance of early exposure to music and the power of a formative experience. The singer’s ability to identify this pivotal moment speaks to her innate understanding of her own artistic path, a quality that has contributed to her enduring success. For more on the impact of music on childhood development, resources are available from PBS.

Nicks is currently preparing for a series of upcoming concert dates, continuing a career that began with that childhood spark.