Stevie And Robin Forever

In Stevie's own words

The classic Stevie Nicks song Gypsy
was inspired by their friendship.

Stephanie Nicks 1965  Robin Snyder  AHS Class of 66

"My very best friend Robin (Snyder Anderson) called me and told me she had terminal leukemia and that maybe she might last 3 months. So without a doubt, it was the absolute high and low of success. I never got to enjoy Bella Donna at all because my friend was dying, something went out that day, something left. I found out that Robin was dying on the same day that it (Bella Donna) went to No. 1.”

When Stevie Nicks and her family moved to Arcadia, Stevie and Robin Snyder (AHS Class of 1966) instantly became the very best of friends.  This friendship lasted until October 5, 1982 when Robin died of leukemia at the far too young age of 34. This segment of our tribute, if you will, to Stevie Nicks is dedicated to Stevie and Robin’s friendship. The classic Stevie Nicks songs Gypsy and Rhiannon were inspired by their friendship.

Robin Snyder was active in many areas at Arcadia High during her years there. Under the guidance of James Neumeister, Robin was a member of the A Capella Choir. In addition, she was a member of the Junior and Senior Jesters, performing in numerous major stage productions, including “The Man Who Came To Dinner.” If all that wasn’t enough, she also was a member of Orchesis, the school dance troupe. Everyone who we have talked with about Robin tells us that she was a tremendously popular and outgoing girl. Many were unaware of the "special bond that she and Stevie shared", according to Karen Kay (AHS Class of 1966).

“She had just been in my life since I was 14. She was the one person that knew me for the person I really was and not the famous Stevie, and it was good to have someone who knew the real you besides just your Mom and Dad. She kind of walked me through life.  Robin is also my speech therapist … and the lady who traveled with Fleetwood Mac during the time when … my voice seemed to just give up. My friend saved my voice, with a lot of patience and love. She listened to me sing the first song that I ever wrote, she taught me how to sing. She taught me how to use my voice. She made sure before she left this planet that I was all right. I don’t have any problems with my voice now, but I did and it took us years to fix it. Robin was one of those people (who) when she walked in the room everybody looked. She was breathtaking, and that’s why it’s so wild that she could possibly have died. It just doesn’t make any sense at all.” 

In October of 1982, Robin was 6 months pregnant with her first child with her husband, Kim. The baby a son named Matthew, was delivered 3 months prematurely and shortly thereafter, Robin passed on.

Three months later, Stevie, and Robin’s husband Kim, were married. However the marriage lasted but three months. “We got married because we were grieving and it was the only way that we could feel like we were doing anything … it was a terrible, terrible mistake. I was so like Robin, when she died … I think a little part of him (Kim) almost thought I was her reincarnate.” 

Stevie still has all of Robin’s things from their many years of friendship and looks forward to the day when she can give all these things to Robin’s son, Matthew, "I have her life on film for 15 years. I have us on tape singing.  I have a beautiful book that I wrote the year that she died  I have a roomful of stuff for him. I have his mother to give back to him when he’s ready." As for Kim, she has not seen him since they divorced.

The Robin-Rhiannon Painting
 
Stevie's beautiful work of art from the Bella Donna songbook

Click HERE for the Class of 66 and
Stevie Nicks reunion photos!

[ Home | Rock History| Rock and Roll High| Stevie Nicks| Van Halen ]




All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express
written permission of ArcadiaApaches.com is prohibited.