On November 30, 2022, it was reported that Fleetwood Mac keyboardist, songwriter, and vocalist Christine McVie, had passed away. She was 79.
The cause of death was revealed as ischemic stroke, which happens when an obstruction occurs in a vessel supplying blood to the brain. Cancer was also listed as a secondary cause on her death certificate. She was reported to have been diagnosed with “metastatic malignancy of unknown primary origin,” meaning that the cancer cells found in her body were originally from an unknown location.
Fleetwood Mac, with whom the singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, paid tribute to McVie, stating there were “no words to describe our sadness” following news of her death.
The artists posted a statement on social media, saying, “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure,” and that “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.”
In January of 2023, at a Celebration of Life event held in Malibu, her former bandmates also paid individual tribute to her passing.
Fleetwood shared remarks he made at the event, including a recent photo of him and McVie on an airplane.
“When we first learned that we might be losing Christine, there was an immediate coming together of everything in the band and the Fleetwood Mac family with the hope and possibility that we would not lose Chris,” he stated. “And NOW since the loss of Christine, we all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away.”
McVie’s family announced her passing on social media, stating she died at the hospital surrounded by family.
“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 the 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.”
Fleetwood stated he also recently confided in John McVie that the pain came from “the enormity of it all—the enormity of our loss, the enormity of her passion, the enormity of her talents, and her unbreakable sense of grace in the way she handled life’s challenges.”
Christine McVie was honored at the Grammy Awards with a special performance by Fleetwood, Sheryl Crow, and Bonnie Raitt, who collaborated to sing her song “Songbird” to celebrate her legacy.
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