R.I.P. Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac

Christine McVie, longtime member of Fleetwood Mac, has died according to a statement from the band. She was 79.

“There are no words to describe the sadness of the passing of Christine McVie,” the statement reads. “She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure. She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”

A statement from her family says that she died following a short illness.

McVie began playing music after first studying to be a sculptor, joining the band Chicken Shack in 1967. In 1969 she left the group after marrying Fleetwood Mac’s John McVie, and first played session piano on two songs on the band’s 1970 album Mr. Wonderful. She released her first solo album Christine Perfect that same year, and after Peter Green left Fleetwood Mac, she joined as keyboardist and vocalist.

Since 1970 she continued playing with the group on up through 1998, writing many of their best-known songs, including “Don’t Stop” and “You Make Lovin’ Fun” from 1977’s Rumours and “Everywhere” from 1987’s Tango In the Night. Though she divorced John McVie after touring behind Rumours, they continued playing in the band together. After a 16-year hiatus, McVie rejoined Fleetwood Mac to continue performing with the group. In 2017, she released a collaborative album with her Fleetwood Mac bandmate Lindsey Buckingham.

In 1999, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac, and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contributions to Music.