Surprising Facts About Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac’s Secret Songbird

Surprising Facts About Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac’s Secret Songbird


July 1, 2025 | Brendan Da Costa

Surprising Facts About Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac’s Secret Songbird


She Was The Songbird

Christine McVie was the high-flying songbird behind some of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, including “Everywhere” and “Little Lies”. But, buried between her sultry lyrics and soaring vocals, were the surprising (and scandalous) stories of her romances, breakups, and curious retirement.

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1. She Had A “Perfect” Start

Christine Anne Perfect (yes, that was actually her last name) was destined for a life in music. Born in July of 1943, she grew up in the quiet village of Greenodd to a father who played concert violin and taught music for a living. Talk about a pitch-perfect childhood—on her father's end, anyway.

1751092349ed68266a8facc490b33ae7d66f215414de1453e1.jpgWarner Bros. Records, Wikimedia Commons

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2. Her Mother Had Otherworldly Gifts

If McVie’s father passed down his musical talent to her, then her mother brought something stranger to the table. Beatrice Perfect, McVie’s mother, was a practicing “medium, psychic, and faith healer”. Thankfully, she took after father—but not at first.

Gettyimages - 548758155, Fleetwood Mac At The LA Forum American musician Stevie Nicks of the group Fleetwood Mac performs onstage at the Los Angeles Forum, Inglewood, California, December 6, 1979. Partly visible behind her is British musician Christine McVie (left) and John McVie.Bob Riha Jr, Getty Images

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3. She Didn’t Find Love At First Note

McVie would one day become the keyboardist for one of rock music’s most iconic bands. But, at first, she was barely interested in learning music. McVie’s parents introduced her to the piano when she was just four years old, but it wasn’t love at first note. She didn’t commit to music until she was 11, when one of her brother’s friends reintroduced her—and this time, it stuck.

Gettyimages - 1216279567, Christine McVie Performing In Concert With Fleetwood Mac Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie is shown performing on stage during a John Atashian, Getty Images

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4. She Had The Blues

By the age of 15, McVie had had her fill of Bach and Beethoven. She might have given up on music altogether had it not been for her brother. Once he introduced her to a Fats Domino songbook, McVie was traded classical scales for grooving blues—and never looked back. Her journey to fame would go on a few riffs, though.

Portrait Painting of Ludwig van Beethoven by Joseph Karl StielerJoseph Karl Stieler, Wikimedia Commons

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5. She Was Nearly An Art Teacher

After graduating high school, McVie quickly learned a hard lessonthat making money from making music wasn’t exactly as easy as she had expected. Instead, she spent five years studying sculpture at art school, dreaming of one day becoming an art teacher. But instead of picking up a syllabus, she picked up a mic—and a few bandmates.

Gettyimages - 1216279556, Christine McVie Performing In Concert With Fleetwood Mac Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie is shown performing on stage during a John Atashian, Getty Images

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6. She Had Friends In Low Keys

McVie’s new friends—Stan Webb and Andy Silvester—recognized her talent instantly and invited her to join their band, Sounds of Blue. She also briefly sang with a fellow student named Spencer Davis. Sadly, the band lasted about as long as an ice sculpture in the desert.

Gettyimages - 794446703, Chicken Shack Guitarist Rock guitarist Stan Webb, of blues band Chicken Shack, June 1970.George Wilkes Archive, Getty Images

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7. She Hit Rock Bottom—Briefly

By the time McVie graduated, her nascent band, Sounds of Blue, had fallen apart. With no band backing her and no money to pursue her art career, she moved to London and took a short-lived job dressing windows. She was just about ready to give up on music when she heard a melodic rumor.

Gettyimages - 998414446, Christine Perfect English singer, songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie, UK, 19th April 1969.P. Floyd, Getty Images

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8. She Heard The Right Rumor

In 1967, McVie got wind that her former bandmates, Webb and Silvester, were forming a new band: Chicken Shack. Better yet, they needed a pianist. McVie reached out and landed the gig as the band’s keyboardist and backup vocalist—and eventual breakout star.

Gettyimages - 91142028, Photo of Stan WEBB and CHICKEN SHACK and Christine McVIE and Christine PERFECT UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01: Photo of Stan WEBB and CHICKEN SHACK and Christine McVIE and Christine PERFECT; L-R: Andy Sylvester, Christine Perfect (later Christine McVie), Dave Bidwell (?), Stan Webb - posed, studio, group shotBob Baker, Getty Images

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9. She Made Her Voice Heard

Chicken Shack’s first release, “It’s Okay With Me Baby” was all McVie. Far from fading into the background, she had written and performed the hit single and was eager for more. She went on to complete two albums with the band, developing a small but dedicated fanbase that became obsessed with her sultry, blues-soaked voice.

In fact, no one could deny her talents.

Gettyimages - 2164346306, Christine Perfect, 1969 Singer Christine Perfect who has been voted number one singer in the year's Melody Maker Poll Awards. Pictured at rehearsals. 16th September 1969.Mirrorpix, Getty Images

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10. She Blew The Critics Away

McVie’s rendition of “I’d Rather Go Blind” became a Chicken Shack classic. The song was a hit—and so was she. The budding artiste nabbed the title of UK’s Best Female Vocalist two years in a row in 1969 and 1970. But she was just getting started.

Gettyimages - 505808742, Christine Perfect Singer Christine Perfect, later known at Christine McVie, holding her cup after being voted as Britain's number one girl singer, at the Melody Maker pop poll awards in the Waldorf Hotel, London, September 17th 1969.Michael Webb, Getty Images

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11. She Heard The Mac

McVie was already a fan of Fleetwood Mac when Chicken Shack and the Mac kept running into each other on tour. As it turns out, the feeling was mutual. The members of Fleetwood Mac invited McVie to contribute her bluesy piano playing to the band’s second studio album, Mr Wonderful.

She was, as it turns out, Mrs Wonderful.

17512791328e64391eeafe94a86a7e91197d8a6979387705c4.jpgWarner Bros. Records, Wikimedia Commons

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12. She Married Her Way Into The Band

McVie left quite the impression on Fleetwood Mac. So much of an impression, in fact, that in 1968, she tied the knot with Fleetwood Mac’s bassist, John McVie. The best man at the couple’s wedding was Fleetwood Mac’s founding member, Peter Green. In other words, she was an unofficial Mac.

And that could only mean one thing.

Gettyimages - 2164342428, Fleetwood Mac At Heathrow Airport 1969 John McVie of the group gives his wife a hug. 14th February 1969. Pop group Fleetwood Mac arrive at Heathrow Airport in London from the United StatesMirrorpix, Getty Images

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13. She Picked Love Over Career

Even after marrying into Fleetwood Mac, McVie continued playing with Chicken Shack. But she knew she would have to pick a band before long. Certainly enough, after a year of marriage, McVie decided to leave Chicken Shack, fearing that she’d never see her husband if they both kept touring.

Then she tried something no one expected.

Gettyimages - 91141295, Photo of Stan WEBB and CHICKEN SHACK and Christine McVIE and Christine PERFECT UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01: Photo of Stan WEBB and CHICKEN SHACK and Christine McVIE and Christine PERFECT; L-R: Andy Sylvester, Christine Perfect (later Christine McVie), Stan Webb, Dave Bidwell (?) - posed, studio, group shotBob Baker, Getty Images

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14. She Went Solo—Briefly

McVie didn’t just become a Fleetwood Mac wife when she left Chicken Shack. Instead, her friends encouraged her to keep making music—on her own! McVie then proceeded to release her first solo album under her maiden name: Christine Perfect. Little did she know, a perfect opportunity was just about to open up.

Gettyimages - 91142098, Photo of Christine PERFECT and Christine McVIE and CHICKEN SHACK UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 01: REDCAR JAZZ CLUB Photo of Christine PERFECT and Christine McVIE and CHICKEN SHACK, Christine PefectGraham Lowe, Getty Images

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15. She Didn’t Get The Credit

McVie officially joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970—but not in the way that most people think. Only true Fleetwood Mac fans know that McVie made uncredited contributions to the band’s album Kiln House, including doing the artwork for the album’s cover. However, her uncredited contributions didn’t go without reward.

Gettyimages - 1473744497, Fleetwood Mac In London English Rock and blues band Fleetwood Mac (L-R) Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Danny Kirwan, Jeremy Spencer and Christine Perfect perform in 1970 in London, UK.Chris Walter, Getty Images

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16. She Filled In For Green

When founding member, Peter Green, left Fleetwood Mac, the band struggled to find a new sound. Little did they know, however, that they already had their replacement pianist: enter Christine McVie. McVie officially stepped forward to fill in Green’s admittedly large shoes.

In fact, if she hadn’t, there might not have been a Fleetwood Mac.

1751279771b42cd0fa39143bfe6d2ea113d8249c84e52a422a.jpgNick contador, Wikimedia Commons

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17. She Held The Band Together

When McVie joined Fleetwood Mac, rumors about a breakup swirled around the band. But, between her keys, her voice, and her songwriting chops, McVie put those rumors to bed. The band later released a statement, saying, “Christine became the glue [that held the band together]...She filled out our sound beautifully”.

But it would cost her.

Gettyimages - 74271659, Fleetwood Mac Portrait CIRCA 1971: (L-R) Mick Fleetwood, Bob Welch, Danny Kirwan, Christine McVie and John McVie of the rock group Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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18. She Packed Up For The Coast

Despite her talents, McVie struggled to keep Fleetwood Mac together. By 1974, she had moved to California with the rest of the band, but they were beginning to turn over new members faster than they could churn out hits. But, when Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham joined, McVie knew that everything was about to change.

Gettyimages - 74270722, Fleetwood Mac Portrait 1975: (L-R) John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham of the rock group Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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19. She Met Her Musical Match

McVie’s soft, smoky vocals had carried Fleetwood Mac through the early 1970s. But, in Stevie Nicks, she had finally met her musical match. Nicks’ gruff, raspy vocals complemented McVie’s sweet songbird sounds and the pair bonded instantly, What happened next became music history.

Gettyimages - 151275435, Fleetwood Mac NEW HAVEN, USA - 1st OCTOBER: Singer Stevie Nicks of British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac in a recording studio in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, October 1975.Fin Costello, Getty Images

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20. She Made Hits Happen

Fleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1975 album wasn’t just a debut for the new lineup—it was a chart-topping comeback. And McVie was the musical mastermind behind it. She had co-written five of the album’s most successful songs and led vocals on four, including “Over My Head” and “Say You Love Me”—both Billboard hits.

Behind the sheet music, however, was trouble.

Gettyimages - 74282711, Photo of McVie Christine UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1970:Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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21. She Made Loving Fun—Literally

In 1976, just as she attained new levels of fame and success, McVie did something that threatened to ruin everything. Back stage, out of the eyes of the public, McVie struck up an affair with the band’s lighting director, Curry Grant, while on tour. Their brief (but almost certainly “bright”) romance sparked one of her biggest hits: the flirty, funky “You Make Loving Fun”.

At least one person, however, did not think it was fun.

 Gettyimages - 176684180, Christine McVie English singer and keyboard player Christine McVie, of pop group Fleetwood Mac, September 1973.Michael Putland, Getty Images

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22. She Kept It Civil

McVie managed to keep the affair secret from the public—but not from her bandmates. And certainly not from her husband. Later that year, McVie and her husband, John, called it quits in their marriage—but not in their music. Despite the emotional wreckage, the pair remained friends and continued performing together.

Band before bonds, I guess? But not before Beach Boys

Gettyimages - 74271672, Fleetwood Mac Portrait CIRCA 1976: Lindsey Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McVie and Stevie Nicks of the rock and roll group Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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23. She Dated A Beach Boy

After her divorce from John, McVie found herself drawn to another rock legend: Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys. Their romance lasted three years, from 1979 to 1982. Unlike with her marriage to John, McVie’s relationship with Wilson seemed to be a drag on her musical ambitions.

17512829064cb2cc651322ef6ffaf4289edfb342ec337f2854.pngCapitol Records, Wikimedia Commons

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24. She Hit A Rough Patch

By 1979, the magic hadn’t just faded from McVie’s marriage—the band was also in trouble. Despite having a top-20 hit with “Think About Me”, Fleetwood Mac’s album Tusk didn’t measure up to the dizzying success of Rumours. After the tour, the band took a break, only coming together two years later to work on the album Mirage.

They should have named it Miracle.

 Gettyimages - 1577056804, Christine McVie, Fleetwood Mac, September 1982 BLOOMINGTON, MN. - SEPTEMBER 1982: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac during a concert, Thursday, September 23, 1982 at Met Center in Bloomington, Minn., part of the band's Mirage Tour. Metropolitan Sports Center.Star Tribune via Getty Images, Getty Images

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25. She Was Haunted By Love

McVie poured her heart and soul into Mirage. In fact, some of the album's biggest hits were largely based on her own life experiences. McVie had co-written the album’s chart-topping single “Hold Me”. The tear-jerking pop-rock hit was inspired by her rocky relationship with Dennis Wilson.

After that, she needed a break.

Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me Fleetwood Mac - Hold Me (Official Music Video) [HD], Fleetwood Mac

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26. She Went Solo—Again

In 1984, McVie released her second solo album, Christine McVie, and this time, she wasn’t flying under the radar. Her single “Got a Hold on Me” climbed to number 10 on the pop charts—and topped both the Adult Contemporary and Mainstream Rock charts. But she was never in it for the fame or fortune.

Christine McVieChristine McVie - Got A Hold On Me (Official Music Video) [HD], RHINO

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27. She Stayed Modest

Despite the success of her solo venture, McVie remained her usual down-to-earth self. “Maybe it isn’t the most adventurous album in the world,” she admitted, “but I wanted to be honest and please my own ears with it”. She pleased everyone’s ears with it—one person’s in particular.

Gettyimages - 176684136, Christine McVie English singer and keyboard player Christine McVie, of pop group Fleetwood Mac, September 1973. Michael Putland, Getty Images

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28. She Married A Collaborator

In 1986, McVie continued the trend of blending love and lyrics when she tied the knot with Portuguese keyboardist Eddy Quintela. Theirs was a romance written into the bars and melodies of countless sounds, including some that would feature on future Fleetwood Mac albums. But first, she would have to get the band back together.

Gettyimages - 2164343991, Christine Mcvie At Her Hillside Home In Los Angeles, 1977Mirrorpix, Getty Images

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29. She Made Another Comeback

McVie rejoined Fleetwood Mac for 1987’s Tango in the Night. It was the band’s most-anticipated album since Rumours—and it didn’t disappoint. McVie’s song “Little Lies”, which she had co-written with her husband, Quintela, became the album’s breakout hit—seemingly proving McVie’s love life was the band’s secret recipe.

Suffice to say, she had a lot of material to work with.

Fleetwood Mac - Songbird Fleetwood Mac - Songbird

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30. She Was Everywhere

McVie’s second Tango single, “Everywhere”, became one of Fleetwood Mac’s highest-charting hits of all time. Meanwhile, more of her songs such as “Save Me”, propelled the band into the rock and roll hall of fame, taking the album Platinum in the UK. But an unexpected tragedy would change everything.

The music was about to stop.

Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere Fleetwood Mac - Everywhere (Live) (Official Video) [HD], Fleetwood Mac

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31. She Couldn’t Perform Anymore

Just as she was reaching new heights of fame and success, McVie’s life took a dramatic turn for the worse. While touring the album Behind the Mask in 1990, McVie received horrifying news: her father had passed. With her original musical inspiration gone, McVie stepped back from touring.

But she couldn’t leave music altogether.

Gettyimages - 1312540362, Fleetwood Mac Performs In Minnesota BLOOMINGTON, MN - JUNE 30: Fleetwood Mac (Christine McVie) performs at the Met Center in Bloomington, Minnesota on June 30, 1990.Jim Steinfeldt, Getty Images

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32. She Turned Tragedy Into Tunes

Despite her personal struggles, McVie stayed with Fleetwood Mac following her father’s demise. Once again, she channeled her innermost feelings into her music, contributing to the band’s 1995 album, Time. However, by that “time”, Nicks had left the band, leaving McVie with another kind of loss.

Gettyimages - 1445951030, Christine McVie (MANDATORY CREDIT Ebet Roberts/Redferns) Christine McVie performing with Fleetwood Mac at the Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey on October 24,1987.Ebet Roberts, Getty Images

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33. She Brought The Band Back Together

For much of the early and mid 1990s, former and current Fleetwood Mac band members collaborated on their solo projects. With so many Fleetwood alumni working together, fans dared to dream of a reunion. And, when Nicks rejoined the band, they got just that. With McVie and Nicks back together, Fleetwood released their chart-topping live album, The Dance, in 1997.

It was a sign for McVie that the stage was calling her name.

Gettyimages - 1318769787, Fleetwood Mac In Concert - Mountain View CA 1997 (L-R) Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac perform at Shoreline Amphitheatre on October 15, 1997 in Mountain View, California. Tim Mosenfelder, Getty Images

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34. She Performed Again

McVie hadn’t set foot on a stage since her father’s passing. But, with the band back together and a new album to promote, she made a bold move. Three bold moves, actually. To the delight of Fleetwood Mac fans the world over, McVie performed with her bandmates for the first time years at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammys, and the Brit Awards.

Then she lost her wings.

 Gettyimages - 50854038, Fleetwoof Mac at Shoreline Amphitheater 1997 MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - October 15, Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performing at Shoreline Amphitheater. Event held on October 15, 1997 in Mountain View, California. Tim Mosenfelder, Getty Images

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35. She Was Afraid Of Flying

For a high-flying songbird, McVie developed a strange phobia. Following her triumphant return to live performances, McVie once again stepped back from the stage in 1998. But her reason was puzzling for millions of fans: she had developed an intense fear of flying. As such, she couldn’t keep up with the band’s schedule and stepped back from performances once again.

Then she disappeared.

 Gettyimages - 160715171, Fleetwood Mac With Their Plane CIRCA 1975: Singer Christine McVie of the Rock group 'Fleetwood Mac' on board their private jet in circa 1975.Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images

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36. She Became A Doctor

No longer willing to perform, McVie left Hollywood behind and (paradoxically) flew back home to England. Once there, she disappeared from public view, opting instead to spend time with her family. It wasn’t until 2000 that she reemerged, even if only briefly, to accept an honorary doctorate from the University of Greenwich.

The next time she made headlines, it would be scandalous.

Gettyimages - 2204672857, Christine McVie At Home Portrait of English singer-songwriter and keyboard player Christine McVie (1943 - 2022) of Fleetwood Mac at home in Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom, November 2009.Mike Prior, Getty Images

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37. She Listened To Her Heart

In 2003, McVie made headlines when she announced her divorce from Quintela. You might say that they had fallen out of harmony. In a follow-up interview the following year, McVie confessed that she barely listened to pop music any longer and had returned to early roots in music, preferring to listen to classical music.

Or, as it turns out, her own music.

1751286681843da1ea244515cd85c6c6f689bb312d7b9d590f.jpgRaph_PH, Wikimedia Commons

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38. She Sang Along From The Sidelines

In late 2003, McVie conquered her fears and returned to performing with Fleetwood Mac—kind of. Not really. When the legendary band gave their last UK performance for the Say You Will tour, McVie attended…in the audience. While she had contributed to the recording of the album, McVie remained backstage.

But she didn’t totally leave the spotlight.

Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love MeFleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me (Live) (Official Video) [HD], Fleetwood Mac

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39. She Was Busy In The Meantime

Without a busy touring schedule, McVie had found time to write and record her third solo album, In the Meantime. The aptly named album satisfied her fans and critics alike and saw her snag the Composers and Authors’ Gold Badge of Merit award from the British Academy of Songwriters.

Gettyimages - 1216279556, Christine McVie Performing In Concert With Fleetwood Mac Singer, songwriter and keyboardist Christine McVie is shown performing on stage during a John Atashian, Getty Images

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40. She Became A Living Legend

In 2006, the publication Paste paid tribute to McVie and her Fleetwood Mac bandmates, Buckingham and Nicks, when they named the trio 83rd in their list of the greatest living songwriters. Despite the praise, McVie still declined to join her bandmates in 2009 when they gave their final UK performance for the Unleashed tour.

It looked like she would never perform with them again.

Gettyimages - 2204673210, Christine McVie At Home Portrait of English singer-songwriter and keyboard player Christine McVie (1943 - 2022) of Fleetwood Mac at home in Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom, November 2009.Mike Prior, Getty Images

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41. Her Friend Had To Let Her Go

By 2012, Fleetwood Mac fans were clamoring for McVie to return. So, when the band announced a world tour, everyone was certain that McVie would make her comeback. But Nicks nixed that idea: “She went to England and she has never been back since 1998,” Nicks said. “…as much as we would all like to think that she'll just change her mind one day, I don't think it'll happen[…]We love her, so we had to let her go”.

Even Nicks couldn’t have predicted McVie’s next move.

Gettyimages - 1156776239, Members of the rock band Christine McVie left and singer Stevie Nicks played Tuesday September 30 , 2014 at Target Center in Minneapolis ,MN. ] Jerry Holt Jerry.holt@startribune.comStar Tribune, Getty Images

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42. She Made A 15-Year Overdue Comeback

In 2013, McVie surprised Fleetwood Mac fans the world over when she emerged from hiding. In an unexpected turn of events, McVie stepped on stage in Maui, Hawaii to perform alongside Fleetwood Mac alumni, Rick Vito and Mick Fleetwood. It was her first time on stage in 15 years—and a reminder of what she had been missing. 

Gettyimages - 96344193, Fleetwood Mac Perform At Wembley Arena In London LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 18: Christine McVie, John McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Billy Burnette and Rick Vito of Fleetwood Mac perform on stage at Wembley Arena on May 18th, 1988 in London, United Kingdom.Pete Still, Getty Images

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43. She Surprised Her Fans In London

Later that year, McVie stunned her fans again with another unexpected (but very welcome) surprise performance. This time, she joined her Fleetwood Mac bandmates on stage at London’s O2 Arena to perform “Don’t Stop”. The audience erupted with “rapturous applause”, but no one was as happy that she was back as McVie herself.

Gettyimages - 456765462, Fleetwood Mac In Concert - New York, NY NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 06: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performs on stage at Madison Square Garden on October 6, 2014 in New York City.Neilson Barnard, Getty Images

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44. She Picked Up Where She Had Left Off

When McVie returned to performing with her bandmates, she was ecstatic, and felt that barely any time had passed. “It was amazing, like I'd never left,” she later explained. “I climbed back on there again and there they were, the same old faces on stage...But her triumphant return had everyone asking, “Why did she leave in the first place?”

Gettyimages - 456823404, Fleetwood Mac Kevin Mazur, Getty Images

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45. She Was Hiding A Dark Secret

In a 2017 interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, McVie explained her nearly two-decade long disappearance from the concert stage. It wasn’t that she had lost her love for performing, or that she couldn’t feel the music anymore. Instead, she revealed that, after leaving the band, she had developed a bad case of agoraphobia.

It’s not hard to understand why.

 Gettyimages - 456912988, Fleetwood Mac Performs On NBC's D Dipasupil, Getty Images

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46. Her Home Was Her Hiding Place

Back in 1990, McVie had purchased a home that no one would want to leave. Her Grade II-listed “Tudor manor house”, situated in the pastoral lands around Canterbury, became something of her prison after she left Fleetwood Mac in 1998. However, once she returned to performing, there was no Tudor castle with turrets tall enough to keep her locked inside

1751289482d8dc1d02e8ccfbbbe1a61976098dde9b74cbe635.jpgRaph_PH, Wikimedia Commons

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47. She Was Back—For Good

Following McVie’s triumphant return to the concert stage in 2013, Mick Fleetwood made another welcome announcement in early 2014. While on stage in Maui, he revealed that McVie’s performance at the O2 Arena hadn’t just been a one-off; she was back for good.

Gettyimages - 474888788, Fleetwood Mac Perform At O2 Arena In London LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performs live on stage at The O2 Arena on May 27, 2015 in London, United KingdomJim Dyson, Getty Images

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48. She Performed Until The End

McVie’s Tudor manor house had served as something of a gilded cage for over a decade. While the restive property had helped inspire some of her music, she knew that it was only holding her back. So, after rejoining her bandmates, she listed the property and spent most of her time in London, performing with her bandmates.

Sadly, by that time, her best years were already behind her.

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49. She Was A Free Songbird At Last

On November 30, 2022, almost a decade after conquering her fears, McVie drew her last breath and sang her final song. At the age of 79, she had succumbed to metastatic cancer. But she was a caged bird no longer—as a free songbird, she could sing and soar into the hereafter. It was those she left behind, however, who sang her praises.

Gettyimages - 1129924107, Fleetwood Mac In Concert - New York, NY NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 11: Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac performs onstage during Fleetwood Mac In Concert at Madison Square Garden on March 11, 2019 in New York City. Kevin Mazur, Getty Images

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50. Her Band Wasn’t The Same Without Her

McVie wasn’t just a member of Fleetwood Mac—she had been its heart. After her passing, the band released a statement calling their departed songbird “the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life”.

Gettyimages - 85001664, Photo of FLEETWOOD MAC UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 01: NEW HAVEN Photo of FLEETWOOD MAC, L-R: John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Christone McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood - posed, group shot, by car.Fin Costello, Getty Images

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