CNN
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Christine McVie, the singer-songwriter behind some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, died Wednesday after a brief illness, according to a statement posted by her family on her verified Instagram account.
She was 79.
“On behalf of the family of Christine McVie, it is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the death of Christine. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Wednesday November 30, 2022, after a short illness,” says the statement. “She was in the company of her family.”
The statement went on to read: “We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time, and we want everyone to hold Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who it was lovely. universal.”
Fleetwood Mac paid tribute to McVie in a statement, which was also posted on their account.
“There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the band’s statement read. “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in her band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.
Born in Greenodd in the United Kingdom to a father who was a music teacher, McVie was a classically trained musician who performed under the name Christine Perfect with the British band Chicken Shack in the late 1960s.
She joined Fleetwood Mac after marrying its bass guitarist, John McVie, at a time when the band was led by guitarist and founder Peter Green.
“Chicken Shack used to be open for [Fleetwood Mac]”She told The Guardian in June 2022. “I got to know John, fell in love with him and it was just sensational and exciting. Fleetwood Mac were fantastic and really funny.
The group underwent several member changes before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined in 1974 and the band shot to superstardom.
McVie wrote and/or sang several of her hits, including “Don’t Stop,” “Over My Head,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Say You Love Me.”
Fleetwood Mac underwent some instability with both the end of the McVie’s marriage, as well as the personal relationship of Buckingham and Nicks.
Buckingham chose to leave the band and go solo in 1987, followed by Nicks going solo in 1990.
McVie also went solo and released a compilation of her solo work earlier this year titled “Songbird (A Solo Collection).”
But despite the band’s interpersonal struggles, their musical chemistry was undeniable and they eventually reunited.
“I just wanted to embrace being in the English countryside and not having to troop on the road. I moved to Kent, and I loved walking down the streets, nobody knew who I was. That’s when I started it of course to miss,” McVie told The Guardian about her 16-year hiatus from Fleetwood Mac. “I called Mick and asked, ‘How would you feel about me coming back to the band?’ He got in touch with everyone and we had a band meeting over the phone and they all said, ‘Come baaaack!!’ I felt rejuvenated and I felt like writing again.”
Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Tributes for McVie poured in on social media Wednesday.
“We were so lucky to have a life with her,” Fleetwood Mac said in their statement. “Individually and together we cherished Christine deeply and are grateful for the great memories we have. She will be so missed.”
“Good to learn of the passing of Christine McVie,” the rock band Garbage tweeted from their verified Twitter account. “Not forgotten. Songbird forever.”
