Christine McVie, the singer-songwriter behind some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, died on Wednesday after a brief illness, according to a statement posted by her family on her official Instagram account. She was 79 years old.
“On behalf of the family of Christine McVie, it is with heavy hearts that we inform you of her passing. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30, 2022, after a short illness,” reads the statement. “She was in the company of her family.”
“We ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time, and we would like everyone to hold Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being and revered musician who was universally loved,” the statement said.
Fleetwood Mac paid tribute to McVie in a statement, which was also posted on his account.
“Words cannot describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the band’s statement reads. “She was truly unique, 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,” the band said.
Born in Greenodd, UK, the daughter of a music teacher, McVie was a classically trained musician who performed under the name Christine Perfect with the British band Chicken Shack in the late 1960s.
She joined Fleetwood Mac after marrying their bassist, John McVie, at a time when the band was fronted by guitarist and founder Peter Green.
“Chicken Shack used to open for [Fleetwood Mac]”, she told The Guardian in June 2022 . “I met John, I fell in love with him and it was just amazing and exciting. Fleetwood Mac was fantastic and really funny.”
The group went through several member changes before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined in 1974 and the band achieved stardom.
McVie wrote and also sang several of his hits, including “Don’t Stop”, “Over My Head”, “You Make Loving Fun” and “Say You Love Me”.
Fleetwood Mac experienced some instability with the breakdown of McVie’s marriage, as well as Buckingham and Nicks’ personal relationship.
Buckingham opted to leave the band and go solo in 1987, followed by Nicks, who went solo in 1990.
McVie has also pursued a solo career and earlier this year released a compilation of his solo work titled “Songbird (A Solo Collection)”.
But despite the band’s interpersonal struggles, their musical chemistry was undeniable and they finally came together.
“I just wanted to embrace the English countryside and not have to be on the road. I moved to Kent and loved being able to walk the streets, no one knowing who I was. Then, of course, I started to miss it,” McVie told The Guardian of his 16-year hiatus from Fleetwood Mac.
“I called Mick and asked, ‘How would you feel if I got back in the band?’ He got in touch with everyone and we had a band meeting over the phone and everyone was like, ‘Come back!!’ I felt regenerated and willing to write again”, said the artist at the time.
Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
(Posted by Carolina Farias)
Source: CNN Brasil
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