Christine McVie

Christine McVie: biography

Christine McVie was a British singer, songwriter, and keyboardist who was best known for her work as a member of the band Fleetwood Mac.

Childhood and youth

Christine McVie, whose birth name is Christine Anne Perfect, was born on July 12, 1943, in the village of Bouth, Lancashire, England. She grew up in a musical family, with her father Cyril Perfect playing the violin and her mother Beatrice Perfect singing in the church choir. McVie showed a natural talent for music from a young age and began taking piano lessons at the age of four. As a teenager, McVie was heavily influenced by the blues and began playing in local bands.

Music career

Christine McVie's music career began in the 1960s, when she joined a local band called the Blues Hustlers as a keyboardist and vocalist. She quickly gained a reputation as a talented musician and was soon recruited to join the band Chicken Shack, where she played keyboard and sang lead vocals. With Chicken Shack, McVie recorded several successful albums, including "Imagination Lady" and "Accept Chicken Shack."

In 1970, Mick Fleetwood, the drummer for Fleetwood Mac, invited McVie to join the band as a keyboardist and vocalist. She accepted the offer, and her first album with the band, "Kiln House," was released later that year. McVie's contributions to Fleetwood Mac's music were immediately apparent, and her soulful vocals and keyboard skills helped to define the band's sound.

Over the years, McVie wrote and co-wrote many of Fleetwood Mac's most popular songs, including "Don't Stop," "You Make Loving Fun," and "Little Lies." Her songwriting often dealt with themes of love, relationships, and personal struggles, and her catchy melodies and memorable lyrics made her songs fan favorites.

In addition to her work with Fleetwood Mac, McVie has also released several solo albums. Her first solo album, "Christine McVie," was released in 1984 and featured the hit single "Got a Hold on Me." She also released several other successful solo albums, including "Christine Perfect" (1970), "The Legendary Christine Perfect Album" (1991), and "In the Meantime" (2004).

In the late 1990s, McVie took a break from Fleetwood Mac to focus on her solo career. However, she rejoined the band for a reunion tour in 2014 and has continued to tour with them in the years since. In 2020, she released a new solo album, "Christine McVie: The Legendary Fleetwood Mac Singer/Songwriter Returns," which features new versions of some of her classic songs as well as new material.

McVie's contributions to music made her a highly respected and influential figure in the industry. She won numerous awards for her songwriting and her work with Fleetwood Mac, including a Grammy Award for "Don't Stop." Her soulful vocals and catchy melodies continue to inspire musicians and fans around the world, and her music remains a beloved part of the rock and roll canon.

Personal life

Christine McVie had a rich and interesting personal life. She was married three times and had no children. Her first marriage was to John McVie, the bassist for Fleetwood Mac, in 1968. The couple remained married for eight years before divorcing in 1976.

After her divorce from John McVie, Christine McVie began a relationship with the band's lighting director, Curry Grant. The couple lived together for several years before ultimately separating.

In 1986, McVie married keyboardist Eddy Quintela, who had played on some of her solo albums. The couple remained together for over 20 years before divorcing in 2003.

McVie was open about her struggles with alcoholism and had been sober since the late 1990s. She credited her sobriety with helping her to focus on her music and her personal relationships.

Despite her personal challenges, McVie had always remained passionate about her music and her fans. She continued to tour and record with Fleetwood Mac and also pursued her solo career. Her fans appreciate her honesty and her willingness to share her personal struggles, and her music remains a source of inspiration and comfort to many.

Death

On November 30, 2022 Christine died in hospital at the age of 79. She died because of a stroke and earlier had suffered from cancer.

Discography

Solo albums:

• Christine Perfect (1970)
• Christine McVie (1984)
• In the Meantime (2004)
• Lindsey Buckingham Christine McVie (with Lindsey Buckingham) (2017)

Albums with Fleetwood Mac:

• Future Games (1971)
• Bare Trees (1972)
• Penguin (1973)
• Mystery to Me (1973)
• Heroes Are Hard to Find (1974)
• Fleetwood Mac (1975)
• Rumours (1977)
• Tusk (1979)
• Live (1980)
• Mirage (1982)
• Tango in the Night (1987)
• Behind the Mask (1990)
• Time (1995)
• Say You Will (2003)