Dustin Gandof
Christine McVie, the beloved singer, songwriter, and keyboardist for the iconic rock band Fleetwood Mac, passed away in November of last year at the age of 79. Her cause of death has recently been revealed to be a stroke, with a secondary cause listed as cancer.
According to her death certificate, McVie suffered an “ischemic stroke” before passing away. This type of stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery that supplies blood to the brain, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients. The report also lists cancer as a contributing factor to her death, but no further details were given about the type of cancer or how it may have contributed to her passing.
McVie’s death was a shock to fans around the world, many of whom had grown up listening to her soulful vocals and memorable keyboard riffs on Fleetwood Mac hits like “Don’t Stop,” “You Make Loving Fun,” and “Everywhere.” Her bandmates and contemporaries in the music industry mourned her loss, with Stevie Nicks calling her “the dearest of friends” and Mick Fleetwood saying she had “made a huge contribution to Fleetwood Mac’s success.”
Born in England in 1943, McVie began playing piano as a child and pursued a career in music after studying at the Birmingham School of Music. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970, during the band’s early years as a blues rock outfit. Her songwriting and vocals helped steer the group toward a more pop-oriented sound in the 1970s, as evidenced by their smash album “Rumours” in 1977.
McVie left Fleetwood Mac in 1998 to relocate to England and spend more time with her family, but she rejoined the band for several tours and studio albums in the 2010s. Her legacy as a talented musician and performer will continue to live on through her contributions to Fleetwood Mac’s iconic catalog of songs.
