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Christine McVie: Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and former president Bill Clinton pay tribute

The surviving members of FLeetwood Mac have led tributes to bandmate Christine McVie, who has died aged 79.

The news was announced via the band’s official social media and reshared by individuals including Stevie Nicks.

There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the statement said.

“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.”

McVie’s family’s statement said: “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.”

McVie left Fleetwood Mac after 28 years in 1998 but returned in 2014.

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Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie dies aged 79

Wednesday 30 November 2022 19:59 , Roisin O'Connor

Christine McVie, the Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter and musician, has died aged 79, her family announced Wednesday (30 November).

The family’s statement said, “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.”

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Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie has died

Garbage pay tribute

Wednesday 30 November 2022 20:29 , Tom Murray

Nineties rock band Garbage are among those paying tribute to McVie after her passing.

“Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted. Songbird forever,” the band wrote on Twitter.

Marc Maron calls her ‘one of the greatest rock voices ever'

Wednesday 30 November 2022 21:02 , Tom Murray

Maron, the comedian and host of the famous “WTF” podcast also paid tribute to McVie.

“Christine McVie died. One of the greatest rock voices ever. Both as a singer and songwriter. RIP,” he tweeted.

Tributes have poured in from across the industry

Wednesday 30 November 2022 21:16 , Tom Murray

Read below for an updated round-up of all those who have remembered McVie.

Stevie Nicks reacts

Wednesday 30 November 2022 21:29 , Tom Murray

Stevie Nicks has just reacted online to the death of her best friend. In a heartful post, the Fleetwood Mac singer shared a photo of her and McVie alongside lyrics to HAIM’s “Hallelujah”.

Wednesday 30 November 2022 21:42 , Tom Murray

A reminder of some of Fleetwood Mac’s songs that McVie wrote: “Don’t Stop”, “Little Lies”, “Everywhere”, “Say You Love Me” – some of the band’s greatest of all time.

Wednesday 30 November 2022 22:00 , Tom Murray

In a 2019 interview with The Independent, McVie shared her experience of being one of two women in a male-dominated music group in the 1970s – and she affirmed that while she found crude antics “hysterical”, she also felt respected.

“Fleetwood Mac were a rude bunch, they had dirty minds, they still do, but I used to laugh because I thought they were hysterical,” she explained. “I kind of became one of the guys, which I think I still am to this day, but I was always treated with great respect.”

Wednesday 30 November 2022 22:42 , Tom Murray

“What joy and depth she brought; what stories. RIP Songbird,” Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp tweeted.

Wednesday 30 November 2022 23:00 , Tom Murray

A lovely tribute from my colleague Jacob Stolworthy here. What a story!

Wednesday 30 November 2022 23:20 , Tom Murray

Fellow US musician Sheryl Crow has paid her respects to McVie: “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.”

6 Fleetwood Mac songs written by McVie

00:17 , Tom Murray

The Independent has put together a list of six songs written by McVie in the wake of her passing. They make up some of the iconic band’s biggest hits. Check them out below.

6 Fleetwood Mac songs by Christine McVie

Bill Clinton pays tribute – ‘Don’t Stop’ was his ‘92 campaign song

01:09 , Tom Murray

Former US president Bill Clinton tweeted about his special relationship with McVie as a song she wrote for Fleetwood Mac became his 1992 campaign song. “[‘Don’t Stop’] perfectly captured the mood of a nation eager for better days. I’m grateful to Christine & Fleetwood Mac for entrusting us with such a meaningful song. I will miss her,” he wrote.

02:08 , Tom Murray

Before her death, McVie shared the extraordinary story of how she wrote Fleetwood Mac’s “Songbird”.

In the interview, the songwriter says she simply woke up one night and played the song start to finish on a piano in her room. “It was as if I’d been visited,” she said.

‘Christine McVie had the most hits of anyone in Fleetwood Mac'

03:05 , Tom Murray

In the wake of her death, many people on social media have suggested that McVie was the most talented, underrated member of Fleetwood Mac.

On Twitter, rock band Drive-by Truckers wrote: “Christine McVie had the most hits of anyone in Fleetwood Mac, yet was somehow the most underrated member. Never flashy, alway great. She was the glue that held all those crazy wonderful elements together. Her songs had a soulfulness unhampered by pretense. RIP.”

Bette Midler: ‘What a legacy...'

04:04 , Tom Murray

“The Rose” singer Bette Midler has shared her feelings on McVie’s passing on Twitter.

“#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy…”

04:31 , Tom Murray

Remember McVie with these six famous Fleetwood Mac tracks, picked out by The Independent.

6 Fleetwood Mac songs by Christine McVie

McVie’s illustrations remembered

05:04 , Tom Murray

As well as a singer, songwriter and musician, McVie was also an artist. On Twitter, comic artist John Allison shared her impressive gatefold illustration for Kiln House, produced in 1970.

McVie performed ‘Songbird’ for BBC Radio 2 in 2017

06:01 , Tom Murray

A clip of McVie playing her hit Fleetwood Mac song, “Songbird” has resurfaced on social media. McVie, then around 74, played the song for BBC Radio 2 in 2017.