During its peak commercial years, from 1975-80, the band sold tens of millions of records and fascinated fans as it transformed personal battles into melodic, compelling songs. In recent years, the band had toured without Buckingham, who was kicked out in 2018 and replaced on stage by Mike Campbell and Neil Finn.įleetwood Mac started out as a London blues band in the 1960s, and evolved into one of the defining makers of 1970s California pop-rock, with the talents of McVie, Nicks and Buckingham anchored by the rhythm section of Fleetwood and John McVie.

Her death is the first among Fleetwood Mac's most famous incarnation of McVie, Nicks, Buckingham, drummer Mick Fleetwood and bassist John McVie, Christine's ex-husband. McVie was a steady presence and personality in a band known for its frequent lineup changes and volatile personalities – notably fellow singer-songwriters Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.

She added that one song has been 'swirling around' in her head since she found out McVie was sick, quoting the lyrics to HAIM's 'Hallelujah': 'I had a best friend/But she has come to pass.' 'A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away,' bandmate Stevie Nicks said in a handwritten note posted to Instagram. No cause of death or other details were immediately provided, but a family statement said she 'passed away peacefully at hospital this morning' with family around her after a 'short illness.' Her death was announced on the band's social media accounts. Christine McVie, the British-born Fleetwood Mac vocalist, songwriter and keyboard player whose cool, soulful contralto helped define such classics as 'You Make Loving Fun,' 'Everywhere' and 'Don't Stop,' died Wednesday at age 79.

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