Is Daisy Jones & the Six Based mostly on a True Story?

Picture Supply: Amazon Studios

The Amazon Prime Video adaptation of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel “Daisy Jones and the Six” is unquestionably one of many hottest new TV reveals of the yr. Tracing the story of a smash-hit rock band within the Nineteen Seventies, it blends a fictional plot with particulars meant to evoke the actual music scene of the period. Simply how a lot is the story impressed by actual music historical past? Loads, because it seems!

What Is “Daisy Jones and the Six” Based mostly On?

Technically, the novel (and the TV present) is an authentic story. It would not use actual names or real-life occasions, however as an alternative presents a “documentary” narrative concerning the fictional band of the title, their relationships, and the making of their most well-known album. Nonetheless, music followers will certainly acknowledge some acquainted beats within the story of a Nineteen Seventies rock band pulled aside by interpersonal drama and musical conflicts.

In a 2019 guest article for Reese Witherspoon’s “Hello Sunshine,” Reid defined how she turned her youthful fascination with the real-life band Fleetwood Mac into materials for her novel. She remembers seeing a sophisticated and tender second between Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham throughout a efficiency, then studying concerning the messy romantic previous between them and coming again to that second through the years.

“Two years in the past, after I determined I needed to jot down a ebook about rock ‘n’ roll, I saved coming again to that second when Lindsey watched Stevie sing ‘Landslide.’ The way it seemed a lot like two individuals in love,” she defined. “And but, we’ll by no means really know what lived between them. I needed to jot down a narrative about that, about how the traces between actual life and efficiency can get blurred, about how singing about outdated wounds may preserve them contemporary. Even after copious quantities of analysis about Fleetwood Mac and a number of different duos and bands, I am nonetheless taken with that second between them. I am unable to assist however marvel at the concept, regardless of every little thing they’d been by way of, Stevie and Lindsey nonetheless cherished one another then. Or how, regardless of what it seemed wish to us all, they not did.”

“Daisy Jones and the Six” tells the same story, though the characters and their backstories are virtually mixed-and-matched, so there’s not essentially a one-to-one correspondence between the fictional characters and members of the actual Fleetwood Mac.

What Actually Occurred With Fleetwood Mac?

Picture Supply: Getty / Stephen Lovekin

The drama of Fleetwood Mac might be one of the vital well-known and tangled-up tales in trendy music historical past. The band famously had one thing of a revolving door of members, however its best-known lineup featured Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks. Buckingham and Nicks have been the final two to affix the group; reportedly, Buckingham was the one initially requested to affix the band, however he insisted that Nicks, his girlfriend on the time, even be included.

This specific iteration of the band was wildly profitable, however their relationships took a serious hit as they labored on their iconic album “Rumours.” Buckingham and Nicks broke up, as did the McVies, and Fleetwood and his spouse. Later, Fleetwood and Nicks additionally had a short-lived relationship. A lot of their relationship drama was highlighted in their famed “Rolling Stone” interview in 1977, the place in addition they acknowledged that their music was largely based mostly on their actual lives.

“On this album, all of the songs that I wrote besides perhaps ‘Gold Mud Lady’ — and even that comes into it — are undoubtedly concerning the individuals within the band . . . . Chris’ relationships, John’s relationship, Mick’s relationship, Lindsey’s and mine. They’re all there they usually’re very sincere and other people will know precisely what I am speaking about . . . individuals will actually get pleasure from listening to what occurred because the final album,” Nicks mentioned within the “Rolling Stone” function.

Finally, the band went on hiatus and ultimately misplaced a number of members, together with Buckingham and Nicks. Through the years, they’ve reunited for sure tasks and performances, although not with out extra drama. In 2018, Buckingham departed the group under contentious circumstances; he was reportedly fired over a disagreement concerning the upcoming tour, whereas he claimed it was the results of a battle with Nicks. Buckingham introduced a lawsuit, and the parties reached a settlement in late 2018.