“Tragic Loss: Acclaimed Fleetwood Mac Singer-Songwriter Christine McVie Dies Too Soon”

Christine McVie, the longtime vocalist and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac has passed away at 79. In a statement from the family: “She passed peacefully this morning following a short illness with her family by her side.” Christine’s loved ones ask us to remember her and to keep her in our hearts during this difficult time.

There are no words to describe how saddened Fleetwood Mac is at the passing of their best friend and bandmate, Christine McVie. She was so talented and special, that they can’t help but cherish every moment they had with her. From now on, they’ll cherish all the memories that they made together.

The Life & Story of Christine McVie

Christine McVie was born in the West Midlands of England and learned to play music at an early age. She attended Birmingham’s Moseley School of Art before joining an experimental blues ensemble called Sounds of Blue. The band morphed into Chicken Shack, a blues band that just so happened to include McVie on lead vocals and keyboards (although at this point she went by Christine Perfect). Her work with Chicken Shack can be heard on their first two albums: 40 Blue Fingers Freshly Packed & Ready to Serve, released the same year as her birth, and O.K. Ken?, released two years later.

After leaving Chicken Shack, Christine McVie went on to release her solo debut album in 1970. She then joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971 and made an instantaneous impact on the band with songs like “Over My Head” and “Songbird.” In 1976 she divorced John McVie, but she remained a labelmate even as Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined the band.

McVie’s work with Fleetwood Mac ended in the 90s, with her final studio album with the band being 1995’s Time. In 2013 she rejoined the band and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. McVie also won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Rumours in 1980.

Christine McVie, who is best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac, has also released solo albums like 1984’s Christine McVie and 2004’s In the Meantime. She has also collaborated with Lindsey Buckingham on 2017’s Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie solo album. Recently, she released the compilation Songbird (A Solo Collection), which features an unreleased orchestral version of the title song. The song was nominated for Best Arrangement Instrumental or A Cappella at the 2020 Grammy Awards.