Stevie Nicks has been a trailblazer for female artists since rising to fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac in the 1970s. As one of rock’s most legendary figures, her influence runs deep throughout the music industry.
While her distinct voice is hard to replicate, several phenomenal singers share similarities with this iconic artist. They each possess a unique style that deeply resonates with fans old and new.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into 13 singers like Stevie Nicks, offering you new musical gems to explore and cherish. Ready? Let’s get started!
First on this list is a direct connection to Stevie Nicks, as the highly regarded musician and singer-songwriter Christine McVie gained fame through her integral role in Nicks’s iconic band Fleetwood Mac.
She contributed to the group’s tremendous success from the late 1960s to the late 1990s as their keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter (or co-writer).
McVie’s talent as a songwriter shone brightly throughout her career; she had more songs on Fleetwood Mac’s 1988 Greatest Hits album than even Nicks. The relationship between McVie and Nicks created an unparalleled dynamic that undoubtedly shaped the band’s overall sound.
Sadly, the singer passed away in November 2022 after suffering a stroke. Nevertheless, her legacy lives on through her music, which continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by many.
2. Kate Bush
With her unique vocal style and innovative songwriting skills, Kate Bush emerged in the late 1970s as a fresh and powerful voice to be reckoned with.
Her creativity pushed boundaries with songs like “Wuthering Heights” and “Running Up That Hill,” which quickly became iconic pieces in popular music history.
Although Bush is known to lead a reclusive lifestyle, her impact on contemporary and upcoming artists remains strong. Stevie Nicks herself has shown great admiration for Bushs’ work over the years, selecting “Running Up That Hill” as her favorite among all of Bush’s songs.
3. Pat Benatar
Powerhouse vocalist Pat Benatar is a trailblazer in the music industry, particularly during the 1980s. With four Grammy awards and an impressive collection of Platinum and Gold albums, she has secured her place among music legends like Stevie Nicks.
Both Benatar and Nicks broke barriers for female artists in the rock genre. They have paved the way in a male-dominated industry, proving that women could excel as powerful vocalists and songwriters.
Benatar’s career has spanned over three decades since her debut album In The Heat of the Night, was released in 1979. During this time, she has made an impact on music history with works that remain unmatched by any other artist today.
4. Carly Simon
American singer-songwriter Carly Simon has been compared to not just Stevie Nicks but other female rock icons like Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, and Joni Mitchell. She began her career in the music industry as part of a short-lived (1963–1969) group with her sister Lucy called The Simon Sisters.
Then in 1972, Simon released the critically acclaimed album No Secrets, which contained her biggest hit single, “You’re So Vain.” The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of her signature songs.
Simon’s contribution to music has been acknowledged with a Hollywood Walk of Fame and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, among many other accolades.
5. Linda Ronstadt
From Simon’s soft rock, let’s move to a bit of folk/country rock with Linda Ronstadt. The American singer and musician has made significant contributions to the genre.
Having her start in 1967, Ronstadt’s music career spans over four decades. She has a large repertoire of hit songs, including “You’re No Good,” “Blue Bayou,” and “Desperado.”
Ronstadt shares similarities with Stevie Nicks in that she, too, is an influential figure during a vibrant era in rock, folk, and pop music. Both she and Nicks embody female empowerment, expressing themes of love, heartbreak, resilience, and personal freedom through their music and performances.
Unfortunately, Ronstadt’s career was cut short due to a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2012, which severely affected her ability to sing. Despite this, her contributions to music continue to be celebrated, and her legacy as one of the greatest female vocalists in history remains intact.
6. Sheryl Crow
“All I Wanna Do” singer Sheryl Crow made a significant impact on the music industry with her versatile sound. With a career spanning several decades now, Crow has crafted a musical style that resonates with fans of Stevie Nicks.
Similar to Nicks, Crow possesses a distinctive voice that effortlessly weaves through genres, ranging from rock to pop to folk. It draws parallels to Nicks’s unique vocal delivery, showcasing a similar blend of vulnerability and strength.
Some of Crow’s notable hits, such as the earlier mentioned “All I Wanna Do” and “If It Makes You Happy,” showcase her talent for creating infectious pop-rock tunes. Interestingly also is her collaboration with Nicks in the song “Prove You Wrong.”
7. Kim Carnes
Rising in popularity alongside Stevie Nicks during the 1980s, we have Kim Carnes, a singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. Her raspy vocals set her apart from other artists, and it has become one of her defining characteristics.
In 1981, Carnes released the album Mistaken Identity. Its lead single, “Bette Davis Eyes,” became a massive international hit and remains her signature song. The track topped the charts in multiple countries and earned the singer two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.
These days, Carnes’s activity has decreased compared to her earlier years. While she may not be as actively recording or releasing new music, her contributions to the music world and her legacy endure.
8. Alannah Myles
Fans searching for new artists similar to Stevie Nicks will certainly appreciate Alannah Myles‘s work. The Canadian singer-songwriter made quite a splash in the music scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s with her blend of rock, blues, and pop.
In 1989, Myles’s self-titled debut album was released and featured the mega-hit single “Black Velvet.” This song became an instant classic, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning her a Best Female Rock Vocal Performance Grammy.
Although she may not have achieved the same level of mainstream success as some of her contemporaries or Nicks, Myles’s work left an undeniable impact on the music industry, and fans of Nicks can certainly appreciate her style.
9. Bonnie Tyler
Anybody who loves the 1983 song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” will most likely know whose voice it is associated with. Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has been captivating audiences for decades with her powerful vocals since her start in the music industry.
While Tyler and Stevie Nicks have their own unique styles and musical approaches, fans of Nicks may find themselves drawn to Tyler just because of her voice. It is husky and powerful—add this to the heartfelt storytelling that permeates her music, and you get unforgettable songs like “It’s a Heartache” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”
10. Joan Jett
Next up is Joan Jett, often dubbed the Queen of Rock and Roll. The musician and singer started her music career in the 1970s by founding The Runaways, an all-female rock band.
After the group separated in 1979, Jett embarked on a successful solo career, forming the band Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. With their breakthrough hit “I Love Rock ‘n Roll,” released in 1981, Jett cemented her place in rock history.
Like Stevie Nicks, Jett’s music legacy stems from her ability to challenge gender norms in a male-dominated industry. Her impact on the rock genre and her advocacy for women in music have earned her a well-deserved place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
As the lead singer for the rock band Heart, Ann Wilson‘s fiery vocals and commanding stage presence helped make the group one of the most successful in rock history. They rose to prominence in the 1980s with a string of hit songs like “Barracuda,” “Magic Man,” “Alone,” and “Crazy on You.”
In addition to her work with Heart, Wilson has also released several solo albums showcasing her talents as a singer-songwriter and an interpreter of classic rock songs.
Aside from her expressive vocal range, Wilson is similar to Stevie Nicks in that she, too, is a pioneer in a male-dominated industry, using music to empower other women and inspire change.
12. Dolly Parton
If you’re wondering why the country music legend Dolly Parton is on this list, well, hear us out. While her musical style may be different from Stevie Nicks’s, there are a few things of Parton’s that Nicks fans might appreciate.
While we can cite vocal skills or performance similarities, the biggest reason is Parton’s versatility. While primarily a country artist, she has effortlessly crossed genres throughout her career, dabbling in pop, folk, rock, and more. This willingness to experiment with sound mirrors the adventurous spirit that Nicks has demonstrated in her own career.
If this isn’t reason enough, consider that Parton has announced a collaboration with Stevie Nicks for her upcoming song “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for Me” later in this 2023 year.
13. Lana Del Rey
Our last artist might seem an odd choice, but considering that Lana Del Rey and Stevie Nicks have worked on a song together and Nicks has stated it changed her (for the better), Del Rey seemed a good concluding artist here.
The song in question is Del Rey’s 2017 “Beautiful People Beautiful Problems,” which was part of her fifth album, Lust for Life. The song reached #29 on Billboard‘s Alternative Rock chart, but the album itself was among Del Rey’s #1 hits.
So if you’re a fan of Stevie Nicks and intrigued by dreamy, introspective music with a touch of melancholy, delving into Del Rey’s discography might be worth your while.
Summing Up Our List Of Singers Like Stevie Nicks
The world of music boasts a diverse array of talented singers who share certain qualities reminiscent of the iconic rock star Stevie Nicks. From their captivating stage presence to their soul-stirring vocals, artists like Bonnie Tyler, Ann Wilson, Joan Jett, and more have left an indelible mark on the music industry.
With their unique talents, these 13 singers have resonated with audiences worldwide. Go ahead and continue to explore their discographies. You’ll be taken on a remarkable journey filled with timeless music and a deep appreciation for the artistry they embody.
Dan Farrant, the founder of Hello Music Theory, has been teaching music for over 15 years, helping hundreds of thousands of students unlock the joy of music. He graduated from The Royal Academy of Music in 2012 and then launched Hello Music Theory in 2014. He plays the guitar, piano, bass guitar and double bass and loves teaching music theory.
