Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie has died, aged 79.
A statement shared via McVie’s Facebook page said: "On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family.
"We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time and we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally. RIP Christine McVie."
McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970, three years after the band was originally founded, as a singer and keyboardist, going on to be an integral part of the band through the release of classic albums such as 1977’s Rumours and 1979’s Tusk. She wrote or co-wrote a number of their biggest hits, including ‘Little Lies’, ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Everywhere’.
Born in the Lake District village of Bouth in 1943, McVie was originally known as Christine Perfect, her maiden name, and started out as part of the blues band Chicken Shack. McVie performed lead vocals on the band’s cover of Etta James’ ‘I’d Rather Go Blind’, with which they had a hit single.
After marrying John McVie in 1968, she left Chicken Shack a year later and then joined Fleetwood Mac. The band went through a number of lineup changes in the following years with Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joining McVie, her husband and Mick Fleetwood in 1974 to form the best-known make-up of the group.
Christine and John McVie divorced in 1976 but maintained a friendly and working relationship in the years that followed.
The band continued to tour and release albums through the 1980s and ’90s, with Nicks and Buckingham leaving and returning at different stages before McVie herself took an extended hiatus from the group starting in 1998. She returned to the touring lineup in 2014 and had continued to play shows with the band up to 2019.
In addition to her work with Fleetwood Mac, McVie also recorded three solo albums: 1970’s Christine Perfect, 1984’s Christine McVie and 2004’s In The Meantime. An album with Lindsey Buckingham also came out in 2017.
In a statement shared shortly after news of McVie’s death was confirmed, Fleetwood Mac said: "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."
