Christine McVie, a singer, songwriter and keyboardist who became the biggest hitmaker for Fleetwood Mac, one of music’s most popular bands, died on Wednesday. She was 79.
Ms. McVie’s commercial potency, which hit a high point in the 1970s and ’80s, was on full display on Fleetwood Mac’s “Greatest Hits” anthology, released in 1988, which sold eight million copies: She either wrote or co-wrote half of its 16 tracks. Her tally doubled that of the next most prolific member of the band’s trio of singer-songwriters, Stevie Nicks. (The third, Lindsay Buckingham, scored three major Billboard chart-makers on that collection.)
The most popular songs Ms. McVie crafted favored bouncing beats and lively melodies, including “Say You Love Me” (which grazed Billboard’s Top 10), “You Make Lovin’ Fun” (which just broke it), “Hold Me” (No. 4) and “Don’t Stop” (her top smash, which crested at No. 3). But she could also connect with elegant ballads, like “Over My Head” (No. 20) and “Little Lies” (which cracked the publication’s Top Five in 1987).
This took all of us by surprise, even Stevie. No one realized she’d been sick. Don’t forget her #1 AC & Rock and #10 Hot 100 US solo hit from 1984, “Got A Hold On Me”, which was released on a WB promo 12″ and various 7″ singles as well as LP and CD. This gem rarely gets any airplay.
This has been a really hard week. 🙁
McVie possessed a smoky voice, and yet it was also so ethereal, almost angelic. For all the overhyped relationship ‘drama’ related to Fleetwood Mac, the real story was the partnership of McVie’s songwriting and singing matched to the production and guitar playing of Lindsey Buckingham. Of all the positive aspects of that band, their working partnership was the core; it yielded so many great albums and songs. Tango In The Night remains my favorite album of 1987, largely due to that partnership. Brilliant songwriting by the two, sometimes in tandem such as You And I Part II, and also Buckingham’s… Read more »
hi paul, i take this news very hard. i grew up listening to am radio, and then fm. fleetwood mac were a big part of my growing up to their music. i still listen to their classic songs today even now. christine mcvie was very important to the band, and she may not have had all the recognition. but here songs live on. i have many favorites. ‘say you love me’, ‘you make loving fun’, ‘hold me’, ‘little lies’, and more. it makes me sad to think she won’t be around to sing them anymore. but the music will last… Read more »
Was surprised and saddened to see this news, “Over My Head” was my secret sing-a-long in the car, she was so gifted.
A very sad year for the world of music. We lost several singers and musicians. I like Fleetwood Mac since I was a kid, Say You Love Me is a beautiful song among many others. Everywhere and Sara are also always on my smartphone playlist. Rest in peace Christine McVie, taking your sound to the next level…
Awful, awful news. She was by far the hitmaker for Fleetwood Mac, and scored a hit with her self-titled album as well. One of my favorite under recognized gems of hers is Isn’t It Midnight off of Tango In The Night.
Sorry to see her pass. “Never Forget” is my favorite song of hers (last song on Tusk) and has been on many a mixtape from me through the years. She certainly lived a wild life/ride in her early years.
😢
I wanna be with you Everywhere! RIP you beautiful soul
What a sad loss, she was such a talented musician and song writer.
“Got A Hold On Me” is part of my 80’s playlist and is one of my favorite tracks from that decade. She will be missed but I’m glad she’s now at peace. RIP Songbird!
This is so very sad. Fleetwood Mac has been such a big part of my growing up. Although I wasn’t the biggest fan, I know so many are. My heart goes out to those.
Jeff
I knew that she’d said that she, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood were all ill, and the band was basically finished….but I didn’t think she was quite this bad off! I honestly thought it was another internet hoax, until I saw the post on her Facebook page. Rest well, Christine. You earned it for surviving Fleetwood Mac!
Wow, another great artist gone. Rest In Peace, Ms. McVie. Your songs will live on forever.