Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter, dies aged 79
Christine McVie, who played with Fleetwood Mac and wrote some of their most famous songs, has died aged 79.
The British singer-songwriter was behind hits including Little Lies, Everywhere, Don’t Stop, Say You Love Me and Songbird.
Family say the musician, who was in one of the best-known rock bands of the 1970s and 80s, died after a short illness.
Born Christine Perfect, McVie married Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie, and joined the group at the start of the 1970s. McVie left Fleetwood Mac after 28 years in 1998 but returned in 2014.
McVie was one of eight members of the band inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
The British American rock band, founded in London in 1967, has sold more than 100m records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups ever. Their best-known songs include Dreams, Go Your Own Way and Everywhere, You Make Loving Fun and Oh Daddy.
A statement from the band said on Twitter: “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.”
McVie, who was born in 1943 in the Lake District village of Bouth, was originally known as Christine Perfect, her maiden name. She started out with the blues band Chicken Shack, which had a hit with a cover of Etta James’ I’d Rather Go Blind, featuring McVie on lead vocals. After marrying John McVie in 1968, she left the band a year later and joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970.
Their 1975 self-titled album featured hits written by McVie: Over My Head and Say You Love Me. Christine and John McVie divorced in 1976 but remained friends and maintained a working relationship.
She later married the musician Eddy Quintella, who co-wrote songs with her, including Little Lies from the Fleetwood Mac album Tango in the Night. They divorced in 2003.
McVie’s death comes two years after the band’s co-founder Peter Green died at the age of 73.
She had moved to the Kent countryside in 1990, and renovated her Grade II-listed property, which had sprawling gardens, two cottages and was set behind electric gates.
