Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie has died. The music legend was 79.
Christine’s family released a statement saying, "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."
Fleetwood Mac also issued a statement, saying, "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."
Born Christine Anne Perfect outside Birmingham, England in on July 14th, 1943, she married Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie in 1968. At that time, Christine played piano and sang in the British blues group Chicken Shack.
Christine left Chicken Shack for a solo career. In 1970, she contributed backing vocals to and painted the cover of the Fleetwood Mac album Kiln House and toured with Mac playing keyboards.
Christine was prominently featured on their next album, Future Games, as a vocalist, pianist and songwriter, as was the band’s first American member, guitarist Bob Welch. The band toured for several years without having a hit single. Fleetwood Mac evolved to more of a soft-rock sound rather than their early blues/rock ‘n roll sound.
Fleetwood Mac relocated to America in 1973 and in 1974 (after Welch left), two more Americans joined the band -- Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Christine’s classic “Over My Head” got became their first Top 20 hit in the U.S.
Their self-titled 1975 album soon launched Fleetwood Mac into the mainstream when it topped the charts and three smash hits, including Christine’s “Say You Love Me,” which, like Nicks’s “Rhiannon” peaked at #11.. The songs they wrote for the next Mac album, Rumours, were fueled by what the members were all going through.It propelled Fleetwood Mac to the biggest success they would know as a group.
The album contained Christine penned classics like “You Make Lovin’ Fun,” and “Don’t Stop.” The band would go on to have success into the 1980’s with songs like “Hold Me” “Little Lies.” McVie was in and out of the lineup, as were Stevie and Lindsey. Christine McVie left quite a musical legacy that will remain prominent in the hearts of her fans forever. Christine is the sixth member of the band to pass away, following Bob Brunning, Bob Weston, Bob Welch, Danny Kirwan and Peter Green.
[Source: Classic Hits Today]