Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac dies aged 79: Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood and other musicians pay tribute

Tributes have been paid to Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac after she died at the age of 79.

The English musician and singer - who passed away on November 30 - was best known as a member of Fleetwood Mac alongside musicians such as Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood, which she joined as a singer and keyboardist in 1970.

McVie became a cultural icon known for her captivating voice, musical talent and ability to songwrite, outside of Fleetwood Mac she released three of her own solo albums. McVie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac and received a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.

McVie received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2014. She went on to be honoured with the Trailblazer Award at the UK Americana Awards in 2021. Throughout her career she was also the recipient of two Grammy Awards.

The news was revealed by Fleetwood Mac who released a joint statement that read: “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly 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 were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”

Stevie Nicks, her friend and bandmate, shared a touching handwritten note on Instagram that read: “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 … See you on the other side, my love. Don’t forget me.”

Nicks also quotes lyrics from US band Haim’s song Hallelujah in her tribute to McVie that read: “We write this with tears in our eyes and all over our faces. The sisterhood Stevie and Christine had was so vital to us growing up.

Seeing two strong women support each other in our favorite band has had such a huge impact on us throughout our lives … she has been a constant inspiration.”

Nicks spoke about McVie in an interview with New Yorker Magazine earlier this year saying from the beginning of their days together in Fleetwood Mac, McVie and Stevie Nicks made a pact that they would never allow themselves to be disrespected by the male musicians in their community.

She said: “I would say to her, ‘Together, we are a serious force of nature, and it will give us the strength to maneuver the waters that are ahead of us.’ Because we knew immediately that Fleetwood Mac was going to be huge.”

Fellow bandmate Mick Fleetwood also penned a touching tribute to the singer saying that McVie: “left us earthbound folks to listen with bated breath to the sounds of that ‘songbird’ … reminding one and all that love is all around us to reach for and touch in this precious life that is gifted to us. Part of my heart has flown away today.”

Fellow musician, Sheryl Crow also took to Instagram to share her reaction to the sad news: “I am so sad to hear of Christine McVie going on to heaven. The world feels weird without her here. What a legend and an icon and an amazing human being. RIP”

The British band Garbage took to twitter to send their condolences saying that they were “gutted to learn of the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted. Songbird forever.”