Music industry giants pay tribute to 'brilliant' Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie

The singer and keyboardist died on Wednesday, aged 79

Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie has died at the age of 79, her family has said. PA

Fleetwood Mac bass guitarist John McVie and his future wife and bandmate Christine Perfect at a party for the band in London, 1969. AP

Fleetwood Mac pose with their Album of the Year Grammy Award for Rumours in Los Angeles, 1978. AP

McVie, left, with Stevie Nicks in 2018. AFP

Fleetwood Mac arrive for the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at Radio City Music Hall in New York. AFP

Fleetwood Mac members, from left, John McVie, Nicks, Christine McVie, Fleetwood and Buckingham after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in New York, 1998. AFP

Fleetwood Mac, circa 1977. Clockwise from left: Buckingham, Fleetwood, McVie, John McVie and Nicks, centre. Getty

Rumours has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, making it the 4th highest selling album of all time. Getty

Fleetwood Mac accept their award on stage at the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year gala at Radio City Music Hall in New York. AFP

Members of Fleetwood Mac, from left, Mike Campbell, John McVie, Nicks, McVie and Fleetwood at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in New York, in March 2019. AP

McVie performs at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2014. AP

Fleetwood, McVie, Nicks and Dave Stewart in London. PA

McVie's embroidered Warner Bros varsity jacket, part of an auction at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California. EPA

The two-day auction event will be held in Beverly Hills on December 3 and 4 and had been scheduled well before McVie's death. EPA

A signed photo of Fleetwood Mac band members. EPA

Rumours was an instant commercial success, selling more than 10 million copies worldwide within just a month of its release. It won the Grammy for Album of the Year. EPA

McVie's skeleton key necklace will also hit the auction block. EPA

McVie wore this sequined jacket ensemble on stage in 2014. EPA

In 1999, McVie was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac, and received the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. EPA

In 1977, Rumours produced four US Top 10 singles and remained at No 1 on the American albums chart for 31 weeks. Getty

Cover art for the self-titled album by Buckingham and McVie. Atlantic Records / AP

Members of the music industry have been flooding social media with tributes to Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie, who died on Wednesday aged 79.

Her death was announced on social media by the ensemble, who said she was the “best musician anyone could have in their band".

“There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one of a kind, special and talented beyond measure,” the band said.

Members of Fleetwood Mac also paid individual tributes to the keyboardist and singer.

Lead singer Stevie Nicks posted a handwritten note on Twitter that said: "A few hours ago, I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away".

"I didn't even know she was ill... until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London; I wanted to get to London — but we were told to wait. So, since Saturday, one song has been swirling in my head, over, and over and over. I thought I might possibly get to sing it to her, and so, I'm singing it to her now," she continued

Mick Fleetwood also posted his condolences on Twitter, saying: "I will miss everything about you Christine McVie".

Music industry peers also shared their tributes to McVie.

Sister trio band Haim reshared the image shared by Nicks, writing: "We write this with tears in our eyes and all over our faces. The sisterhood Stevie and Christine had was so vital to us growing up. Seeing two strong women support each other in our favourite band has had such a huge impact on us throughout our lives," they said.

"From playing Say That You Love Me in Rockinhaim since 1999 to seeing Christine sing Over My Head live in 2015, she has been a constant inspiration. RIP beautiful songbird."

Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny Cash, also shared a tribute on Instagram.

"Such a great songwriter, singer, and a beautiful presence in Fleetwood Mac. A truly sad loss. #christinemcvie," she said.

Rock band Garbage said they were “gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted”.

Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp said: “What joy and depth she brought; what stories. RIP Songbird.”

Country singer Sheryl Crow, who inducted the band into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame in 1998, paid tribute on Twitter.

"I am so sad to hear of Christine McVie going on to heaven. The world feels weird without her here. What a legend and an icon and an amazing human being. RIP," she said.

Bette Midler, meanwhile, wrote: “#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy…"

English musician Tim Burgess said: “Ah man, farewell Christine McVie, a beautiful voice and such a brilliant musician and songwriter too”.