Christine McVie, the British keyboard player and co-vocalist in Fleetwood Mac whose honeyed voice steered numerous hits, died Wednesday. She was 79.
A member of Fleetwood Mac for more than 50 years – with a few intermittent breaks – McVie imbued their sound with a feathery touch.
The band posted a statement on their official social media accounts calling her “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 cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have.”
Fleetwood Mac’s representative, Kristen Foster, confirmed McVie’s death to USA TODAY.
According to McVie’s family, she “passed away peacefully at (the) hospital following a short illness.”
I remember the band well. For me, it seems like it was only yesterday listening to Fleetwood Mac's top billboard songs. I don't know why it is we tend to somehow immortalize these people when we never knew them, but only their songs. We tend to remember times like these as if they were time capsules. I read Christine McVie was 79 years old when she died. My first thoughts was no way she was this old. But then I thought about my own age and said to myself, my God, time flies all too fast. Another one gone. When I read further, I can only suspect what the cause of her sudden illness was. She was indeed a great musician, who wrote a lot of the songs that made Fleetwood Mac famous. 79 in my book is still way too young. RIP.