view gallery
Christine McViethe keyboardist, singer and songwriter behind one of Fleetwood Macs well-known hits, died on November 30 at the age of 79. Her bandmates, including Fleetwood Mac’s lead guitarist, mourned the loss of their beloved friend Lindsey Buckingham. A day after news of Christine’s death, Lindsey, 73, reflected on the loss by eating Instagram and said: “The sudden death of Christine McVie is deeply heartbreaking. Not only were you and I part of Fleetwood Mac’s magical family, to me Christine was a musical comrade, a friend, a soul mate, a sister. For over four decades we helped each other create beautiful work and an enduring legacy that resonates to this day. I feel very fortunate to have known her. Although she will be greatly missed, her spirit will live on through this work and legacy.”
The news of Christine’s death was first shared from her official Instagram page. “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart that we inform you of Christine’s passing. She passed away peacefully in hospital this morning, Wednesday 30 November 2022, after a short illness,” the statement said. “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 want everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being and adored musician who was loved by all. RIP Christine McVie.”
“There are no words to describe our sadness at the death of Christine McVie,” the band said in a statement issued by Mick Fleetwoods social media account. “She was the best musician you could have in your band and the best friend you could have in your life. We were so lucky to have a life with her.” The statement was shared further Stevie Nicks’ official IG account. “Individually and collectively, we treasured Christine immensely and are grateful for the amazing memories we have. She will be missed so much.”
Christine joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 after marrying the band’s bassist. John McVie. She was crucial to the group’s success, helping to transform them from a British blues-rock imitation act into a pop-rock trailblazer. The band’s self-titled debut featured seven songs written by McVie and/or Buckingham. “I think it was from day 1,” McVie said Tampa Bay Times in 2017. “When we got into the studio, it was like I understand what he’s playing and he understands what I’m playing.”
The band’s legacy is married to their drama. The band’s most iconic album rumours, followed Stevie Nicks’ split from Lindsey Buckingham. Christine was in the process of divorcing her husband. One of the songs Christine wrote for the album, “You Make Loving Fun,” was inspired by her relationship with a lighting technician Curry Grant after breaking up with John.
“The excitement, the excitement of realizing you’ve written one of the best albums ever written, we just flew from that knowledge,” McVie said per American songwriter. “And every week for about a year it was number one on the charts. We’ve been flirting with The Eagles and Hotel California. But it was just a phenomenal time. Too many drugs, too much alcohol, but this has been a crazy, crazy year. That time was amazing. ”
Christine left the band in 1998 due to a crippling fear of flying and a desire to stay closer to her family in England. In 2014, she rejoined the group.
“It’s really weird because we’re not really best buddies,” McVie said of her band when speaking to the Tampa Bay Times. “We don’t really hang out that much. But we have a really strong musical connection to each other. Once we’re in the studio we work really well as a team. We inspire ideas together. It’s really amazing that I can hear something that he’s playing and tinkering with and then we can connect very well. It’s been like that over the years – we have different ideas and we work together in a very natural way.”