Within the early years of her lengthy profession, Stevie Nicks ceaselessly labored with session musician Waddy Wachtel. Collectively, the 2 labored on considered one of Nicks’ hottest songs, “Edge of Seventeen.” In a 1999 interview, Wachtel admitted that “Edge of Seventeen” was too comparable to the Police’s 1979 music “Bring on the Night.”
Stevie Nicks and Waddy Wachtel labored collectively on ‘Edge of Seventeen’
“Edge of Seventeen” was launched on Nicks’ debut solo album Bella Donna, which was launched in 1981.
In accordance to Music Highlight Journal, “The song’s arrangement was inspired by the Police’s 1979 cut ‘Bring on the Night.’”
In a 1999 interview with Musician magazine, Wachtel admitted that he and Nicks “ripped” the Police “off” with “Edge of Seventeen.”
“I had never heard ‘Bring On the Night,’ and at that session they told me they were going to do this song based on this feel. I had heard something about the Police, but I didn’t know what they were talking about,” Wachtel instructed Musician journal.
He continued, “Then about two years ago, I had the radio on, and on comes what sounds like ‘Edge of Seventeen’ – and all of a sudden, there’s Sting’s voice! I thought, ‘We ripped them off completely!’ I called Stevie that night and said, ‘Listen to me, don’t ever do that again!’”
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‘Edge of Seventeen’ is considered one of Stevie Nicks’ hottest songs
After rising to fame for her function in Fleetwood Mac, Nicks made her solo debut in 1981 with Bella Donna. “Edge of Seventeen” is the sixth music on the tracklist.
Through the years, “Edge of Seventeen” has remained one of the iconic songs in all of Nicks’ discography. The guitar opening of “Edge of Seventeen” which is analogous to the Police’s “Bring on the Night” can also be instantly recognizable to followers.
“Onstage, the beginning of that song is like a break for Stevie. I’d be standing there, playing that riff for around three minutes, before she’d even start singing! By the end of the tour I was able to break walnuts with my right hand,” Wachtel instructed Musician journal concerning the guitar in “Edge of Seventeen.”
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Stevie Nicks and Waddy Wachtel are longtime collaborators
As well as to working with Nicks as a session musician, Wachtel additionally accompanied the singer on tour and labored as her music director.
“I told Stevie that [the forced break due to the pandemic] was the first time I unpacked my suitcase. I come home and that thing lays open in my closet because any minute I’m going out on the road. If not with Stevie, I’m going somewhere to do a session,” Wachtel instructed Best Classic Bands.
He continued, “Then, all of a sudden, there was no travel. Finally… my suitcase was empty. (laughs) And usually I know how to pack for a gig because my stuff stays in it. I had to start from scratch. She cracked up.”