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Fleetwood Mac legend Christine McVie dies aged 79
Christine McVie, who wrote some of Fleetwood Mac’s most iconic songs, has died, her family has confirmed
Fleetwood Mac legend Christine McVie has died aged 79, it has been confirmed. In a post shared on her official Facebook page tonight, November 30, a statement reads:
“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. 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.”
A statement from Fleetwood Mac was shared soon after, reading: “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 missed.”
Born in Bouth in Lancashire in 1943, Christine Anne Perfect was raised in Smethwick near Birmingham where her father was a concert violinist. Classically trained, her tastes changed with the discovery of rock’n’roll piano players like Fats Domino. At college she met Stan Webb and Andy Silvester and in 1968 she joined their band Chicken Shack. She had an immediate impact: their debut single, 1968’s It’s Okay With Me Baby, was written by Perfect.
In 1969 they covered the Etta James hit of a couple of years earlier, with Perfect delivering an astonishing lead vocal. The song went to no.14 in the UK singles chart and Christine won the Melody Maker award for Best Female Vocalist for the next two years in a row.
Perfect became McVie in 1969. Chicken Shack had shared a bill with Fleetwood Mac at the Windsor festival of 1967 and she and Mac bassist John McVie had become an item. Both bands had been signed to legendary UK label Blue Horizon. The pair dated, then married in 1968. She appeared, playing keys and piano as Christine Perfect, on the Mac’s second album Mr Wonderful and, after Peter Green’s departure, on the Then Play On and Kiln House albums. She officially became a member of Fleetwood Mac at a New Orleans gig in August 1970.
McVie would leave, rejoin and once again leave the British-American rockers in the mid-90s, before rejoining again in 2014. McVie, who played keyboards and sung with the band, wrote some of their most famous songs, including Don’t Stop from Fleetwood Mac’s smash hit 1977 album Rumours, and Little Lies, from 1987’s Tango In The Night.
This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day.
Source: loudersound.com
