Christine McVie: Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and former president Bill Clinton pay tribute

Musician was described as ‘one-of-a-kind’ by her Fleetwood Mac bandmates

Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie dies aged 79

The surviving members of FLeetwood Mac have led tributes to bandmate Christine McVie, who has died aged 79.

The news was announced via the band’s official social media and reshared by individuals including Stevie Nicks.

There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the statement said.

“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 very missed.”

McVie’s family’s statement said: “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.”

McVie left Fleetwood Mac after 28 years in 1998 but returned in 2014.

The liveblog has now closed

[1 December 2022 00:17 · Tom Murray]

6 Fleetwood Mac songs written by McVie

The Independent has put together a list of six songs written by McVie in the wake of her passing. They make up some of the iconic band’s biggest hits. Check them out below.

[1 December 2022 01:09 · Tom Murray]

Bill Clinton pays tribute – ‘Don’t Stop’ was his ‘92 campaign song

Former US president Bill Clinton tweeted about his special relationship with McVie as a song she wrote for Fleetwood Mac became his 1992 campaign song. “[‘Don’t Stop’] perfectly captured the mood of a nation eager for better days. I’m grateful to Christine & Fleetwood Mac for entrusting us with such a meaningful song. I will miss her,” he wrote.

[1 December 2022 02:08 · Tom Murray]

Before her death, McVie shared the extraordinary story of how she wrote Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird”.

In the interview, the songwriter says she simply woke up one night and played the song start to finish on a piano in her room. “It was as if I’d been visited,” she said.

[1 December 2022 03:05 · Tom Murray]

‘Christine McVie had the most hits of anyone in Fleetwood Mac'

In the wake of her death, many people on social media have suggested that McVie was the most talented, underrated member of Fleetwood Mac.

On Twitter, rock band Drive-by Truckers wrote: “Christine McVie had the most hits of anyone in Fleetwood Mac, yet was somehow the most underrated member. Never flashy, alway great. She was the glue that held all those crazy wonderful elements together. Her songs had a soulfulness unhampered by pretense. RIP.”

[1 December 2022 04:04 · Tom Murray]

Bette Midler: ‘What a legacy...'

“The Rose” singer Bette Midler has shared her feelings on McVie’s passing on Twitter.

“#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy…”

Unsupported twitter embed

[1 December 2022 04:31 · Tom Murray]

Remember McVie with these six famous Fleetwood Mac tracks, picked out by The Independent.

[1 December 2022 05:04 · Tom Murray]

McVie’s illustrations remembered

As well as a singer, songwriter and musician, McVie was also an artist. On Twitter, comic artist John Allison shared her impressive gatefold illustration for Kiln House, produced in 1970.

[1 December 2022 06:01 · Tom Murray]

McVie performed ‘Songbird’ for BBC Radio 2 in 2017

A clip of McVie playing her hit Fleetwood Mac song, “Songbird” has resurfaced on social media. McVie, then around 74, played the song for BBC Radio 2 in 2017.