In scrawling cursive handwritten across two pages of a notepad, Stevie Nicks has delivered a heart-wrenching send off to Fleetwood Mac’s ‘songbird’, co-lead vocalist and songwriter, Christine McVie, after her tragic death aged 79.
McVie’s former bandmates led tributes in a joint statement tonight, describing her as ‘the best friend anyone could have in their life’.
Overcome with emotion, Nicks delivered a second, more intimate eulogy just hours later, which reduced some fans to tears.
In the letter, Nicks paid tribute to her ‘best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975’, noting she ‘didn’t even know she was ill until late Saturday night’.
McVie’s family revealed yesterday she died in hospital surrounded by loved ones following a ‘short illness’, aged 79.
The two-page letter included lyrics to a song by American rock band Haim that Nicks had hoped to sing to McVie at her bedside.
‘I had a best friend, but she has come to pass, one I wish I could see now, you always remind me, that memories will last.
‘See you on the other side my love. Don’t forget me.’
Nicks wanted to rush to London to be by McVie’s side when she learned of the illness, but was told to wait and monitor her health from afar.
‘I wanted to get to London – but we were told to wait… Since Saturday, one song has been swirling in my head over and over, I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and I’m singing it to her now.’
Christine McVie, the co-lead vocalist and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac, has died aged 79 following a ‘short illness’, her family have revealed
Her former bandmates said tonight they’re devastated by the loss, describing her as ‘the best friend anyone could have in their life’. (Pictured left to right, John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham)
McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971 as a permanent member, and the band achieved even greater popularity with the addition of Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid-1970s
Stevie Nicks shares moving tribute to her ‘best friend’ Christine McVie – as Fleetwood Mac keyboardist dies at 79: ‘See you on the other side, my love’
Fans told Nicks her words had ‘made them sob’ as they grieved the loss of the beloved English musician.
McVie’s family said in a statement she was ‘a revered musician who was loved universally’ and was surrounded by loved ones when she died.
‘She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 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.’
McVie’s fellow bandmate Mick Fleetwood said ‘part of my heart has flown away today’ after learning of her death.
‘I will miss everything about you. Memories abound… They fly to me.’
The group released a joint statement earlier in the evening which read: ‘She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure… She was the best musician anyone could have in their band. 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.’
Overcome with emotion, Nicks delivered a second, more intimate eulogy just hours later, which reduced some fans to tears. In the handwritten letter, Nicks paid tribute to her ‘best friend in the whole world, since the first day of 1975’, noting she ‘didn’t even know she was ill until late Saturday night’
McVie opened up earlier this year about her ‘thrilling’ years in the band
She had a successful solo career and returned to the stage alongside her former bandmates in 2013 after a long 15-year hiatus
Bette Midler joined the chorus of devastated fans and celebrities paying tribute to McVie and offering condolences to her family and former bandmates today.
The 76-year-old singer said: ‘#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy… (sic)’
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American rock band Garbage said in a statement: ‘Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted. Songbird forever.’
Haim – whose song Nicks quoted in her letter – said: ‘We write this with tears in our eyes and all over our faces. The sisterhood Stevie and Christine had was so vital to us growing up. Seeing two strong women support each other in our favorite band has had such a huge impact on us throughout our lives.’
Meanwhile, rock musician Sheryl Crow hailed McVie as ‘a legend and an icon’.
Sheryl, 60, wrote on Twitter: ‘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 (sic)’
Perez Hilton said: ‘I am going to love my ears with Christine McVie songs today. She was not just a gift to Fleetwood Mac but also the world! Her music will last forever! She was so gifted! A true great! Thank you for the magic!’
Stevie Nicks shared a heartbroken statement to her own Twitter account this evening. Pictured: McVie and Nicks together in 1987
Podcaster Bill Simmons said: ‘RIP Christine McVie – elegant songwriter, unforgettable voice, and a crucial member of one of my favorite bands ever. Songbird stands alone – there’s no other song like it. I really liked her. So much drama and dysfunction in that band and she always levitated above it.’
American author John Scalzi described McVie as her band’s ‘secret weapon’ and ‘a songwriter who, in and out of the band, made pop hits seem effortless’.
‘RIP, you songbird. You made loving fun.’
McVie’s local MP, Tim Farron, also shared a statement in the wake of her tragic death, saying Cumbria had ‘always been so proud of her’.
‘Devastated that Bouth’s very own Christine McVie has passed away. What a wonderful legacy she leaves, with a back catalogue of the finest music. In Cumbria we have always been so proud of her. Much love and sincere sympathy to Christine’s family and friends.’
Former professional basketball player Rex Chapman shared a video compilation of McVie alongside her famous quote: ‘Although it is said that we fought a lot, we actually did spend a lot of our time laughing. There weren’t that many fights.’
‘Rest in peace,’ he added.
Bette Midler joined the chorus of devastated fans and celebrities paying tribute to McVie and offering condolences to her family and former bandmates today
The British-American rock band was one of the most successful groups of all time, selling 100 million records globally.
McVie joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971, and the band achieved even greater popularity with the addition of Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid-1970s.
She wrote the hits Don’t Stop, Say You Love Me, You Make Loving Fun, Songbird, Little Lies and Hold Me.
Despite her and bassist John’s divorce in 1976, she continued to make music for the band until retiring in 1998 after the death of her father.
She had a successful solo career and returned to the stage alongside her former bandmates in 2013 after a long 15-year hiatus.
Looking back on that time away from the stage, McVie said earlier this year she needed to embrace the English countryside and take a step back from the constant chaos of being on the road.
After a 15-year hiatus, she started to get the itch to perform again and reached out to Mick Fleetwood to propose a potential reunion
But she started to get the itch to perform again and reached out to Mick Fleetwood to propose a potential reunion.
The group performed to rapturous applause in London’s 02 arena in September 2013 and it was officially announced a short time later that McVie had rejoined the band.
Just two weeks ago, McVie shared her excitement at being nominated for a Grammy award for her solo music compilation, Songbird. The award will be announced on February 5, 2023.
McVie opened up earlier this year about her ‘thrilling’ years in the band in an interview with The Guardian.
‘I always took good care of myself,’ she said. ‘My drug of choice was cocaine and champagne. I didn’t use any other drugs at all. It’s easy for me to say, but I think it made me perform better.
‘Stevie was the Welsh witch. I was mother nature. Mick was the raving lunatic. Everyone was very different, but we all got on, for the most part. In those days it was just all good clean fun.’
Fleetwood Mac described McVie as as ‘the best friend anyone could have in their life’
