Christine McVie, the co-lead vocalist, and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac died at the age of 79, her family has revealed.

McVie’s family issued a statement regarding her demise, saying she was “a revered musician who was loved universally.”

“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,” the statement said. 

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McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971 as a permanent member. Three years before that, she married British bass guitarist John McVie. John and Christine McVie divorced in 1976 but remained on good terms.

During this time the band recorded the album Rumours, which got its title from the turmoil in McVie’s and other band members’ marriages and relationships.

Who is John McVie?

 John McVie was born in Ealing, now West London on November 26, 1945. He attended Walpole Grammar School. He started playing the trumpet at an early age then at age 14.

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He is best known as a member of the rock bands John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers from 1964 to 1967 and Fleetwood Mac since 1967. His surname, along with Mick Fleetwood, was the inspiration for the band’s name.

McVie met his future wife, the lead singer and piano player of Chicken Shack, Christine Perfect while on tour. The two bands would often share venues.  Following a brief romance, McVie and Perfect got married and Peter Green was the best man.  Following the departure of Green from Fleetwood Mac in 1970, McVie successfully persuaded Christine to join him and the band.

Apart from frequent touring, John’s habit of heavy drinking caused problems in his marriage to Christine. In 1976, during the recording of Rumours, John and Christine McVie’s marriage fell apart and the couple divorced the same year.

In 1978, John married Julie Ann Reubens. He finally stopped drinking after surviving an alcohol-induced seizure and he has been sober ever since. In 1989, Julie Ann gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Molly Elizabeth McVie. 

In 1998, McVie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac.