​Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie has died aged 79

Longstanding Fleetwood Mac member Christine McVie has died aged 79, her family confirmed yesterday (November 30).

“On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death,” the keyboardist and singer-songwriter's family posted in a statement on Facebook.

“She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness.”

According to the statement, McVie was in the company of her family when she passed away. “We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time,” reads the post.

“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. RIP Christine McVie.”

McVie was a member of British rock group Fleetwood Mac, inaugurated in London in 1967, later joined by Christine in 1970. Between the five-piece, Fleetwood Mac sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

In 1998, Christine McVie left the band after a 28-year stint and re-joined the group in 2014. Her relationship with bassist John McVie became the subject of the hit 1977 album ‘Rumours’, with songs referencing the pair’s break-ups.

McVie was one of eight members to pass through the band during their career and was inducted into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 alongside the four longstanding members.

Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac’s lead singer, paid tribute to the late musician on Instagram last night. "A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,” she wrote.

"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 my head, over and over and over.”

“I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and so, I'm singing it to her now,” she said. “I always knew I would need these words one day... It's all I can do now.”

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter