Singer, songwriter and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac, Christine McVie has died aged 79.
McVie died peacefully in a hospital surrounded by family, “following a short illness,” according to a statement released by her family on Wednesday,
“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,” the statement, first published on Facebook, read.
McVie joined Fleetwood Mac, one of the most popular rock bands in history, in 1971, leaving in 1998 and returning in 2014.
A statement released by other members of the band 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.”
McVie’s bandmate, singing partner and close friend, Stevie Nicks, penned a heartfelt handwritten note after hearing news of her death, posting a photo of the note on Instagram.
“A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,” the note read. “I didn’t even know she was Ill,” Nicks wrote in the letter, which she posted on social media.
“Until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London; I wanted to get to London — but we were told to wait. So, since Saturday, one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over. I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her and so, I’m singing it to her now. I always knew I would need these words one day.”
Nicks then transcribed the lyrics to the third verse of LA rock band Haim’s “Hallelujah,” which ruminates on the passing of a friend.
“I had a best friend but she has come to pass / One I wish I could see now / You always remind me that memories will last / These arms reach out / You were there to protect me like a shield / Long hair, running with me through the field / Everywhere, you’ve been with me all along.”
“See you on the other side, my love,” Nicks wrote at the end of her note. “Don’t forget me.”
Haim responded to McVie’s death on Instagram, saying “We write this with tears in our eyes and all over our faces.”
“The sisterhood Stevie and Christine had was so vital to us growing up. Seeing two strong women support each other in our favorite band has had such a huge impact on us throughout our lives. From playing “say that you love me” in Rockinhaim since 1999 to seeing Christine sing “over my head” live in 2015, she has been a constant inspiration. RIP beautiful songbird.”
Crowded House’s frontman Neil Finn, who’d toured with McVie several years ago, posted a picture of McVie at the keyboard with the caption:
“It’s a very sad day. Christine McVie was a unique and soulful woman, supremely gifted songwriter and a warm and wonderful friend. I am so grateful to have shared some hours in her beautiful presence.”
McVie was born in 1943 as Christine Anne Perfect, to a psychic mother and a music professor father.
It was her father who encouraged her to study music — as a teenager, McVie began playing jazz, inspired by the songs of Fats Domino.
“I started playing the boogie bass,” she told Mojo Magazine in 2017. “I got hooked on the blues. Even today, the songs I write use that left hand. It’s rooted in the blues.”
While studying sculpture at Birmingham Art College, McVie dabbled in music, playing with several local bands.
In 1969, she married John McVie, the bassist in Fleetwood Mac — a band which had only formed two years prior, and recorded three albums.
In 1971, she officially joined the group, going on to write classic hits including “Little Lies”, “Everywhere”, “Don’t Stop”, “Say You Love Me”, and “Songbird”.
Their 1977 album “Rumours” sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the biggest selling records of all time.
In 1998, McVie was inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame — along with several other members of the band.
Later that year, she announced her retirement from the band, citing a fear of flying and agoraphobia.
Fifteen years later, she reunited with her band for a one-off performance at London’s O2, and months later, in 2014, officially rejoined the band.
“It was amazing, like I’d never left. I climbed back on there again and there they were, the same old faces on stage,” she told the Guardian at the time.
That year, the band toured its “On With The Show” epic, after which McVie wrote new songs, culminating in the album “Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie” in 2017.