20 Amazing Portraits of Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac When She Was Young

Christine McVie is a songbird who will be remembered forever. The songstress, born July 12, 1943 in London, was a 1970s rock icon, as the keyboardist and vocalist of Fleetwood Mac. She passed away on November 30, 2022 at the age of 79 following a “short illness,” per her family’s statement.

“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,” the family said in a statement on her Instagram.
 

Christine’s co-lead vocalist in the band Stevie Nicks, as well as founding drummer Mick Fleetwood also shared the statement on their Instagrams. “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure,” the band said. “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 Anne Perfect in Lancashire, England in 1943, Christine began her career in music in the 1960s, starting with a band called Chicken Shack. She was recruited to play keyboards on Fleetwood Mac’s sophomore album Mr. Wonderful, released in 1968. The following year, she married the band’s bassist John McVie. She went on to release a self-titled solo album in 1970, before joining the group as a full-time member, with her first album being 1970’s Kiln House.

McVie is known for her smoky, low alto vocals and her direct but poignant lyrics, which are mostly concerned with relationships. Unabashedly easy-on-the-ears singer/songwriter, and the prime mover behind some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits. Eight of her songs appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s 1988 

 album.

In 1998 McVie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The same year, after almost 30 years with the band, she opted to leave and lived in semi-retirement for the next few years, releasing only one solo album in 2004. McVie appeared on stage with Fleetwood Mac at London’s O2 Arena in September 2013 and rejoined the band officially in January 2014. Her first shows since her return came during Fleetwood Mac’s On with the Show tour in October 2014. In 2014 she received the British Academy’s Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Rest in peace, Christine McVie!