Christine McVie, beloved singer, songwriter, and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac, has died aged 79.
A statement from the musician's family said that she "passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family."
The sad news was confirmed by Fleetwood Mac on social media with a statement saying "there are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie."
"She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. "She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life."
“We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”
— Fleetwood Mac (@fleetwoodmac) November 30, 2022
McVie’s soulful contralto vocal and masterful melodic hooks defined many of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, including Don’t Stop, You Make Loving Fun, Everywhere and Little Lies.
Fleetwood Mac | 'Don’t Stop'
Born Christine Perfect in England in 1943, she joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 after marrying bassist, John McVie and changing her name to Christine McVie. With the band’s founding member and drummer, Mick Fleetwood behind the kit, their early years were marked by a rotating roster of members until 1975, when fellow singer-songwriters Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham, who were also dating, joined the trio and completed the now classic lineup.
From 1975-80, Fleetwood Mac hit their commercial peak, selling tens of millions of albums, while inside the band relationships were crumbling. The almost concurrent break up of Christine and John McVie’s marriage, and the split of Buckingham and Nicks, could have spelt the end for the band. Instead, they channelled those volatile interpersonal relationships into some of classic rock’s most iconic hits, most notably with their 1977 LP Rumours, which remains among the bestselling albums of all time.
Fleetwood Mac | 'You Make Loving Fun'
Beyond her gifted musicianship and songwriting, McVie’s harmonious presence shone as a constant, steadying force in a band whose tumultuous emotional history is almost as compelling as their catalogue of hits.
Fleetwood Mac | 'Little Lies'
In an interview with Rolling Stone earlier this year, McVie said that while she “didn’t realise it at the time,” she was instrumental in holding the band together at the height of the drama. “I was supposedly like the Mother Teresa who would hang out with everybody or just try and [keep] everything nice and cool and relaxed.”
“But they were great people; they were great friends... Even though I am quite a peaceful person, I did enjoy that storm. Although it’s said that we fought a lot, we actually did spend a lot of our time laughing.”
Fleetwood Mac | 'Everywhere'
Fellow Fleetwood Mac songstress, Stevie Nicks shared an emotional handwritten post describing McVie as her “best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975.”
Vale Christine McVie, one of classic rock's all-time greats will be missed beyond words.
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