Christine McVie, a keyboardist and singer-songwriter who was a longtime member of the legendary rock band Fleetwood Mac, has died at age 79. McVie passed away this morning (Wednesday, November 30) after a short illness. The news was confirmed in a statement shared by her family on social media.
“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death,” began the statement. “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.”
Christine Anne Perfect was born in Bouth, Lancashire, England on July 12, 1943. At the age of 11 she began taking music lessons from family friend Philip Fisher with a focus on classical music. After four years under Fisher’s tutelage, she fell in love with rock and turned her attention towards learning and performing the songs of such artists as Fats Domino and The Everly Brothers.
While Christine initially attended Birmingham’s Moseley School Of Art with the aim of teaching art, she became immersed in the blues scene and was recruited to join her first band, Sounds of Blue. The short-lived group soon split up and Christine went on to join bandmates Stan Webb and Andy Silvester in their new project, Chicken Shack. She was featured on two Chicken Shack albums both as pianist and vocalist but parted ways with the group in 1969 following her 1968 marriage to Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie.
Christine McVie’s initial contribution to Fleetwood Mac came as an uncredited backing vocalist and keyboardist on the group’s 1970 LP, Kiln House, for which she also did the cover drawing. McVie joined the band full-time later in 1970 with 1971’s Future Games the first Fleetwood Mac album to feature Christine as a full member.
Fleetwood Mac withstood a tumultuous period over the next few years before the group was reborn with the additions of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in 1975. Christine and her bandmates had moved to America ahead of the change in lineup and with the new iteration intact entered the studio to record what would become 1975’s Fleetwood Mac. The album included a handful of hits with Christine McVie writing the popular tunes “Over My Head” and “Say You Love Me.”
In 1977 Fleetwood Mac became one of the biggest bands in the world following the huge success of their iconic Rumours album. Once again, Christine was crucial to the sound as she wrote and sang beloved cuts “Don’t Stop,” “Songbird” and “You Making Loving Fun.” McVie also contributed to writing and singing one of the band’s signature songs, “The Chain.”
Christine and John were struggling throughout the creation of Rumours and divorced in 1976. However, they remained bandmates. Christine McVie went on to write and handle lead vocals on such hits as “Think About Me” off 1979’s Tusk, “Hold Me” from 1982’s Mirage as well as both “Everywhere” and “Little Lies” from 1987’s Tango In The Night.
McVie retired from touring in 1994 but was recruited back soon after. Following a series of 1998 appearances including the band’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Christine departed Fleetwood Mac towards the end of the year. McVie rejoined in 2014 and participated in each tour held since. She also put out three solo albums over the years as well as a 2017 collaboration with Buckingham.
Rest in Peace Christine McVie
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— Christine McVie (@christine_mcvie) November 30, 2022
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— Mick Fleetwood (@MickFleetwood) November 30, 2022
