Christine McVie performs with Fleetwood Mac at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. on Nov. 21, 2018. Derek Tobias/STAFF.

Christine McVie, singer and keyboardist of Fleetwood Mac, has died after a short illness. The news was reported by her family, who wrote on her Instagram account that she had “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday morning, Nov. 30. She was 79 years old, and while the cause of death is not yet public, she had mentioned ongoing issues with scoliosis in an interview with Rolling Stone in June.

“There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie,” the band posted in a statement on social media. “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.”

McVie had played in blues-ish band Chicken Shack from 1968 to ’69 before she joined Fleetwood Mac. Chicken Shack, which has had a number of notable members over the years, is still performing. She joined Mac in 1970, first appearing on the album Future Games.

McVie was the writer of some of Fleetwood Mac’s best-known songs, including “Don’t Stop,” “Everywhere,” “Say You Love Me” and “Little Lies.” Fleetwood Mac was a powerhouse band in the ’70s and well into the ’80s with multiple hits. It started out as a blues band but flourished on the pop charts after the addition of band members Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham. Drama also flourished as the two couples in the band (McVie and her then-husband John McVie, and Buckingham and Nicks) broke up during the making of their 1977 album, Rumours.

The band went on to record together through most of the ’80s. It reunited in the ’90s to perform “Don’t Stop” at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration on his request, and went on to tour again together and filmed a TV special.

While other band members had active solo careers, Christine McVie only released three solo albums: Christine Perfect (Perfect is her maiden name) in 1970, a self-titled album in 1984, and In the Meantime in 2004. She also released a very well-received album of original material with Buckingham, titled Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie, in 2017.

pic.twitter.com/shclwCGpuu

— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) November 30, 2022

McVie was known for her bluesy alto and melodic songs. Her death was met online with outpourings of grief and admiration from her bandmates as well as fans and other fellow musicians. McVie’s song “Songbird,” from Rumours, was often referenced in these tributes.

As the only two women in the band, McVie and Nicks developed a close bond during their time together, and Nicks expressed her regret that she was not able to make it to London in time to say goodbye: “I wanted to get to London – but we were told to wait… See you on the other side, my love. Don’t forget me.”

“Part of my heart has flown away today. I will miss everything about you Christine McVie,” Mick Fleetwood posted online.

Her last onstage appearance was on Feb. 25, 2020 at a concert held in tribute to former Fleetwood Mac member Peter Green.