Stevie Nicks and Billy Joel Dueting For “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” Hits Different
via MB Music / Youtube
It was not exactly an unexpected combination, but this unlikely pair of legendary hitmakers meshed too well that one can’t help but ask: why did they only think of this now?
Classic rock fans were treated to a double special as Piano Man Billy Joel joined rock and roll queen Stevie Nicks for a magical rendition of “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around.”
The two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are joining forces for a co-headlining spectacle aptly dubbed “Two Icons, One Night.” Despite their contrasting styles, the crux of their collaboration lies in the shared depth and lasting power of their musical collections.
The video below was taken from one of the dates of their sold-out tour, at the Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, last August 5, 2023.
This rendition of the 1981 romantic anthem barely scratch the surface of the creative genius that characterized their music during the ’70s and ’80s, catering precisely to the desires of a packed football stadium filled with fervent fans.
Two Icons
Joel built his career as a singer-songwriter and pianist, making his mark on the industry with his unique musical storytelling blend of rock and pop.
Born in 1949 in New York, Joel’s career skyrocketed in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.”
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His long, storied career saw him become one of the best-selling artists of all time as he earned multiple Grammy Awards and the adoration of countless fans around the world. His prolific songwriting and dynamic live performances have solidified his status as a music legend.
The enigmatic rock and roll songstress Nicks, on the other hand, reigned the rock scene during the 70s and 80s. Born in 1948, Nicks rose to fame as the frontwoman of Fleetwood Mac, contributing her distinctive voice to hits like “Rhiannon,” “Go Your Own Way,” and “Landslide.”
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Her solo career, which she pursued alongside her work with the band, produced chart-toppers like “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stand Back.” Nicks’ mystique, characterized by flowing dresses and her signature shawl, along with her ability to craft timeless songs, has earned her a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the hearts of generations of music lovers.
Both artists have demonstrated remarkable longevity and artistic growth throughout their careers. Billy Joel’s piano-driven ballads and anthems have become staples of popular music, while Stevie Nicks’ ethereal vocals and poetic lyrics continue to resonate with fans young and old.
The fans of both of these legends can anticipate a unique convergence of their fabled careers as the two join forces for the “Two Icons, One Night” tour in 2023.
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One Night
“Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” is a hit penned for Stevie by another rock legend Tom Petty, her friend of 40 years. She recorded it with Petty’s band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and released it as the first single from her debut solo album Bella Donna.
“He gave me ‘Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around,'” the singer said in a 2019 Rolling Stone interview. “Had he not given me that song, let me candidly tell you, Bella Donna might not have been a hit. That song kicked Bella Donna right into the universe.”
Petty, who died in 2017, had embarked on several tours with Nicks and teamed up in other hit songs such as the Heartbreakers’ “Insider” and Nicks’ “I Will Run to You.”
Their sold-out Columbus gig was the fourth of the series of concerts.
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During the “Two Icons, One Night” tour, Nicks pays back the favor by collaborating with Joel in the Piano Man’s ballad hit “And So It Goes.”
The first night of the tour in SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California, in March 10 also marked the first time the rock queen sang onstage ever since the death of her close friend and Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie.
She gave tribute to her late friend by singing a heartfelt rendition of her classic hit “Landslide” as her encore.
“I have to imagine she’s still here. It’s all I can do,” Nicks said to the audience.
