Stevie Nicks recently posted an open letter on her official Instagram account, explaining why she decided to go on with performances after 9/11.
After sharing a poem she wrote and sharing some memories of her from the attack, the Fleetwood Mac singer continued her message, saying:
“If 9/11 taught us anything — it was to be brave — to get involved — and to always run towards people who are in terrible danger and have lost so much. If we stop helping, stop ‘rising to the cries’ of those who need us — then — who are we? Just a sad, petty country who can no longer agree about anything.”
Nicks then reflected on her decision not to cancel gigs after 9/11:
“At this moment, I can only see the F-16s that flew by my side into Washington, D.C., so I could do my show and try to make people smile again, even if only for a moment. I was still terrified — I think it was the only time I felt safe since that unforgettable day in New York. I stayed on the road for five weeks. My parents told me, ‘Don’t you dare come home. Your music is how you can help.”
The rocker concluded her post by commemorating those directly affected by the incident:
“Lastly, this day jumped out at me. I am on the road now, but I always — every year, want to honor the brave men and women who responded on that awful day — the ones who survived and the ones who did not. And I want to honor their children who honor them by following in their footsteps — you are always welcome at my shows.”
Stevie was in New York during the 9/11 attacks while on tour for her album ‘Trouble in Shangri-La.’ Her New York shows were canceled, but she continued the tour in Atlantic City on September 15. She later expressed her feelings about the experience in the 2003 song ‘Illume (9-11)‘ for Fleetwood Mac’s album ‘Say You Will.’
Below, you can see her open letter and listen to the song.
Photo Credit: Stevie Nicks – Instagram
