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Read 'Fleetwood Mac' Singer Stevie Nicks' Powerful Tribute to Christine McVie

new york, ny   january 26  christine mcvie and stevie nicks of fleetwood mac attend musicares person of the year honoring fleetwood mac at radio city music hall on january 26, 2018 in new york city  photo by kevin mazurgetty images for naras
Stevie Nicks Speaks Out About Christine McVieKevin Mazur

Christine McVie, the iconic Fleetwood Mac keyboardist and singer-songwriter has died at the age of 79.

Her family confirmed the news with a statement on her official Instagram feed. The family's statement says Christine "passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family."

circa 1977 l r lindsey buckingham, christine mcvie, mick fleetwood, stevie nicks and john mcvie of the rock group fleetwood mac pose for a portrait in circa 1977 photo by michael ochs archivesgetty images
Michael Ochs Archives

After Fleetwood Mac formed in 1967, Christine married the band's bassist, John McVie, and joined the band three years later. Four years later, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined, and the group went on to record the Grammy Award-winning album, Rumors, which has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

Christine, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is credited with writing eight of the band's hits, including "Over My Head" and "Say You Love Me."

Though Christine and John divorced in the 70s, and she left the band in 1998 (and later rejoined in 2013), the group remained close.

Fleetwood Mac issued a statement about Christine's death, which called her "the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life."

And Stevie personally took the time to share a hand-written letter on her social media to honor her friend.

"A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975 had passed away. I didn't even know she was ill...until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London; I wanted to get to London—but we were told to wait. So, since Saturday, one song has been swirling around in my head, over and over and over. I thought I might get to sing it to her, and so, I'm singing it to her now. I always knew I would need these words one day, written by the Ladies Haim. It's all I can do now." Stevie follows her words with powerful lyrics from HAIM's song, "Hallelujah."

Christine was recently nominated for a Grammy for the 2023 ceremony for "Songbird (Orchestral Version)" from her first solo album is nominated in the Best Arrangements, Instruments and Vocals category.

Our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time.


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