Fleetwood Mac: What you need to know Fleetwood Mac: What you need to know (NCD)
(NCD)
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Christine McVie, the singer, songwriter and keyboardist for famed British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, has died, according to an announcement from her family. She was 79.
In a statement posted Wednesday on social media, McVie’s family said she died “peacefully at hospital this morning ... following a short illness.”
“She was in the company of her family,” the statement read. “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.”
In a statement, Fleetwood Mac members said they had “no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie.”
“She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure,” they said.
“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.”
Born Christine Perfect, McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971 after marrying the band’s bassist, John McVie, BBC News reported. The couple divorced in 1976, according to Variety.
McVie left Fleetwood Mac in 1998 following the death of her father and subsequently embarked on a successful solo career, according to Sky News. She returned to the band in 2014, the news network reported.
The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making it one of the most successful groups in history, The Guardian reported. McVie penned several of Fleetwood Mac’s hits, including “Songbird,“ “Don’t Stop,” “Little Lies” and “Everywhere.”
McVie’s death comes two years after the passing of Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green, who died at the age of 73.
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Christine McVie through the years 1970: A photo shows Fleetwood Mac in 1970. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1971: Fleetwood Mac members (from left to right) Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie and Danny Kirwan perform on "Top of the Pops." (Ron Howard/Redferns, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1974: (From left to right) Bob Welch, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and John McVie of the rock group Fleetwood Mac pose for a portrait in August 1974 in Los Angeles. (Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1974: (From left to right) John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Bob Welch and Christine McVie of the rock group Fleetwood Mac pose for a portrait under the Hollywood Sign in August 1974 in Los Angeles. (Michael Montfort/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1975: (From left to right) John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and Lindsey Buckingham of the rock group Fleetwood Mac pose for a portrait in 1975. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1977: Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks perform at The Omni Coliseum in Atlanta on June 1, 1977. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1979: Christine McVie, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 10, 1979 in Hollywood, California. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1979: Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham performing live onstage. (Richard E. Aaron/Redferns, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1980: (From left to right) Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks of the rock group Fleetwood Mac perform. (Robin Platzer/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1980: Fleetwood Mac members (from left to right) John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks perform live onstage at Wembley Arena. (Pete Still/Redferns, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1984: (From left to right) George Hawkins Jr., Steve Ferrone, and singer songwriter Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac perform on her solo tour at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 3, 1984. (Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1990: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performs at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, on June 30, 1990. (Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 1998: Members of the British-American rock group Fleetwood Mac (from left) John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Lindsay Buckingham appear together after receiving their awards and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Jan. 12, 1998, in New York. The thirteenth annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction dinner also honored Santana, The Eagles, The Mamas and Papas, Lloyd Price and Gene Vincent. (Jon Levy/AFP via Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 2014: Christine McVie performs at Madison Square Garden on October 7, 2014 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/WireImage, File)
Christine McVie through the years 2014: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performs during the On With the Show Tour 2014 at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Oct. 22, 2014 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. (Scott Legato/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 2017: Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham of Buckingham McVie perform "In My World" on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on June 8, 2017. (Andrew Lipovsky/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 2017: Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie Fleetwood Mac vocalist perform at the Paramount Theatre on July 27, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Thomas Cooper/Getty Images, File)
Christine McVie through the years 2018: (From left to right) Honorees Stevie Nicks, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac seen onstage during MusiCares Person of the Year honoring Fleetwood Mac at Radio City Music Hall on January 26, 2018 in New York City. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images, File)
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