Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie has died following a short illness at the age of 79, her family have confirmed.
The British-American rock band, founded in London in 1967, sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups ever.
Their best-known songs include ‘Dreams’, ‘Go Your Own Way’ and ‘Everywhere’.
A statement from her family said: “It is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at 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.”
Despite its tumultuous history, Fleetwood Mac became one of the best-known rock bands of the 1970s and 80s, comprising Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John McVie, as well as Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks.
Perhaps their best-known album Rumours, released in 1977, became one of the best-selling albums of all time and included hits such as ‘Second Hand News’ and ‘You Make Loving Fun’.
In addition to several multi-platinum tracks, the record sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.
Singer-songwriter and keyboardist McVie penned ‘Songbird’, one of the band’s most famous tracks, as well as ‘You Make Loving Fun’, ‘Oh Daddy’ and ‘Little Lies’.
She was among the eight members of the band who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
In 2017, she appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, revealing that she had retreated from the world and developed agoraphobia after she quit the band and moved from California to Kent.
McVie’s death comes two years after Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green died at the age of 73.
