It was just announced today (November 30, 2022) that singer songwriter Christine McVie passed away. Such a devastating loss for the music world. Not to mention a surprising one. Nobody even knew that McVie was sick. It was only reported that she passed away peacefully at the age of 79 following a short illness.
The news was reported on McVie’s official Instagram account. The caption read: “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family. We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time, and 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.”
As a longtime fan of Fleetwood Mac, I always thought McVie didn’t get the recognition she deserved. At least not from those who weren’t big Mac fans. Those who were, know the contribution McVie made to the band. But Stevie Nicks was the universal face of Fleetwood Mac, not McVie.
So let’s dive into the contributions that Christine McVie made not only to Fleetwood Mac, but the music world in general. She was a huge powerhouse behind Fleetwood Mac‘s biggest hits. In fact, eight of the ones she penned landed on the band’s 1988 Greatest Hits album. She has won several awards for her music, including a Gold Badge of Merit Award and a Trailblazer Award (wikipedia.com).
In honor of this amazingly talented woman, here are a few more things about her that might have been forgotten. The music world just lost an incredible talent. RIP Christine McVie. You will be missed.
–Wendy Rush, 96.3KKLZ Las Vegas
1. She Won A Brit Award
In 1998, Christine McVie won a Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music.3. Her Early Influences In Music Included Fats Domino and The Everly Brothers
McVie started seriously studying piano at the age of 11. She was training classically until her brother, John brought home a Fats Domino record. That’s when she switched to a Rock and Roll focus.
4. She Originally Wanted To Be An Art Teacher
McVie studied sculpture at the Moseley School of Art in Birmingham. After graduation, she worked as a window dresser in a department store until her music career took off.
5. She Has A Lifetime Achievement Award
Christine McVie won an Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement from the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors in 2014.
6. She Recorded Music With A Band Called Chicken Shack
McVie joined a band called Chicken Shack in 1967. Comprised of her bandmates from her first band, Sounds of Blue, they released music with McVie on vocals. Their debut release was It’s Okay With Me Baby, written by and featured McVie on keys and vocals. You can hear it here. They had another hit shortly thereafter with I’d Rather Go Blind. Listen to it here. Christine McVie (then Christine Perfect) left the band a year after marrying her husband John McVie.
7. She Did Several Collaborations With Other Artists
Most recently remembered among the collaborations McVie did was her duet album with Lindsey Buckingham in 2017. She also sang on 1979 The Beach Boys song Love Surrounds Me, on Christopher Cross‘s 1988 song Never Stop Believing, and on Bob Welch’s solo version of Sentimental Lady.