Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie Dies at 79

Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac vocalist, keyboardist and songwriter, has died. She was 79.

McVie's death was confirmed in a statement shared on social media that reads as follows:

"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."

Fleetwood Mac issued a joint statement in response to McVie's shocking death saying, "There are no words to describe out sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure."

The statement continued, "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."

Christine McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 shortly after marrying bassist John McVie in 1969. She appeared on 12 of the band's 17 studio albums. Additionally, she released three solo albums and collaborated with Lindsey Buckingham on the 2017 album Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 as a member of Fleetwood Mac.

Sheryl Crow did the honors of inducting Fleetwood Mac into the Rock Hall. She said of McVie and Stevie Nicks, "Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks are, in my estimation, the first ladies of rock and roll. Christine McVie made it cool to be the piano player in the band."

Crow added, "She taught me that it’s not about being ‘pretty good for a chick.’ It’s about being great. She taught me that a driving rock song could be written on the piano. The first time I heard her sing ’Spare Me A Little [Of Your Love]” (from 1972’s Bare Trees) I was so blown away and I still have the same reaction to it when I revisit that song today."

McVie famously stepped away from Fleetwood Mac in 1998 due to developing a fear of flying.  She rejoined the band in 2014 and remained a member until her death.

McVie's elegant voice, skillful keyboard playing and songwriting prowess had a major impact on Fleetwood Mac. She wrote/co-wrote some of the band's biggest and best songs which are highlighted below.

When Fleetwood Mac is mentioned, many immediately think of the contributions of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. However, Christine McVie is responsible for writing some of the band's best songs.

That's something Mick Fleetwood recognized in a sweet tribute to McVie in honor of what would have been her 81st birthday. He wrote, "For Christine McVie… First, you are missed by me and your band, Fleetwood Mac. This being your birthday serves as a reminder for SO many … that our blessing is your music lives on!! You are our forever 'Song Bird!' Happy Birthday, Christine."

In honor of her birthday on July 12, here are just five classic Fleetwood Mac songs that McVie wrote/co-wrote.

Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks undoubtedly dealt with a lot of sexism in the '70s, as evident by this interview clip from 1977. However, they had no problem shutting down a journalist's incredibly sexist question.

In the clip below, an off-screen reporter asks Lindsey Buckingham, "It must have been one of the first bands to incorporate ladies and use them as such. Any problems as far as credibility of ladies in rock ’n’ roll when the band first hit the road with the girls?"

Buckingham responded awkwardly, "I don't think so," while looking over at McVie and Nicks. McVie drolly says, while Nicks giggles, "Well, I’d already been in the band for a good while, as a lady, and as a musician. I’d been primarily a musician rather than a backup singer, in any case. And then, when Stevie joined the band, she was also a frontline singer and writer."

McVie continued, "And I think in that way, I guess, we were the innovators of that kind of thing because it was more or less to my knowledge prior to us girls would be in rock bands, but would be backup singers and…"

"Pretty faces," interjects the journalist.

This then caused Nicks to jump in and say, "I think it comes down to the fact that Fleetwood Mac would not go on without Chris and me, if we were sick or something. Whereas in most bands with a girl in it, [they] could go ahead and would go on and play. But they’d have trouble without us."

The exchange is rather cringe, but it's amazing watching McVie and Nicks put this reporter in his place.

"Don't Stop" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and would famously serve as the theme to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. The band was even persuaded to reunite for the first time since 1982 to perform “Don’t Stop” at the inaugural ball in 1993.

Fun fact: While “You Make Loving Fun” was written by Christine McVie about her affair with Fleetwood Mac’s lighting director, she told then-husband/bassist John McVie it was about her dog.

Christine McVie said of the moving piano ballad in a June 2017 interview with People, “For some peculiar reason I wrote ‘Songbird’ in half an hour. I’ve never been able to figure out how I did that. I woke up in the middle of the night and the song was there in my brain, chords lyrics melody, everything. I played it in my bedroom and didn’t have anything to tape it on. So I had to stay awake all night so I wouldn’t forget it and I came in the next morning to the studio and had [producer] Ken Callait put it on a 2-track. That was how the song ended up being. I don’t know where that came from. I wished it would happen more often, but it hasn’t.”

“Oh Daddy” was inspired by Mick Fleetwood, who was the only father in the band at that time, even though some allege the track was another track about McVie’s affair with Fleetwood Mac’s lighting director. According to Setlist.fm, the last time the band played the track live was on November 30, 1997 at the USAir Arena in Landover, MD. 

The last single released from 1975's Fleetwood Mac, "Say You Love Me" would peak on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #11.