Legendary Fleetwood Mac Singer Christine McVie Dead at 79

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, November 30, 2022 | 4:47pm CT

Christine McVie

Christine McVie, singer, songwriter and keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac, who died Monday at age 79 after a short illness. Born Christine Anne Perfect on July 12, 1943, in the Lake District of England, McVie was the daughter of Cyril Perfect, a classical violinist and college music professor, and Bernice Reece, a psychic. She took classical piano lessons beginning at age 11, encouraged by her father. Four years later, she dropped classical piano studies to play the blues bass.

McVie went on to study sculpture at Birmingham Art College and while there, played in a duo with Spencer Davis (who later joined Steve Winwood in the band the Spencer Davis Group). She then helped form Shades of Blue, a band with future members of Chicken Shack. McVie graduated from college in 1966 and moved to London, becoming a window dresser for a department store.

In 1968, she joined Chicken Shack as keyboardist and singer, and wrote two songs for the band's debut album before leaving the band in 1969, when she married John McVie, bassist for Fleetwood Mac. During her time with Chicken Shack, McVie sang lead on a cover of Etta James' "I'd Rather Go Blind," which became a number 14 British hit. She released a solo album in 1969 entitled, "The Legendary Christine Perfect Album." In 1970, following the departure of guitarist Peter Green, Mick Fleetwood asked McVie to join Fleetwood Mac.

McVie became a hitmaker for the band beginning with 1975's "Fleetwood Mac" album, penning and singing lead vocals on both "Over My Head" (which hit Billboard's Top 20) and "Say You Love Me" (which reached (11). In 1977, Fleetwood Mac released its biggest album, the Grammy-winning "Rumours," which soared to certified double diamond status, reflecting sales of over 20 million copies.

McVie's most popular songs including "Say You Love Me" and "Over My Head" are: "You Make Lovin' Fun," "Little Lies," which hit #5 on Billboard, "Hold Me," which reached #4, and "Don't Stop," her biggest hit, which rose to #3. During her career with Fleetwood Mac, McVie had five gold albums, one platinum album, and seven multi-platinum albums. She was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998.

Benztown has issued an Audio Tribute to McVie here. The Benztown Audio Tribute to Christine McVie was written by Thomas Green, voiced by MJ Bloch, and produced by Royce Stevenson. Bio information provided by Benztown.