The world stood in shock when British keyboardist and singer, Christine McVie, best known for her part in cult band Fleetwood Mac, passed, aged 79.
No details were given at the time on her passing, but now the musician’s cause of death has been revealed, according to her death certificate, which was obtained by The Blast.
McVie passed on November 30th 2022, due to the most common type of stroke, the ischemic stroke. This occurs when a blood clot blocks or restricts blood flow in a key artery leading to the brain.
However, there was a second cause of death also listed on the certificate, citing “metastatic malignancy of unknown primary origin”. This means that cancer was found to have spread through her body, but the initial location and cause of that cancer is unknown.
McVie had made very few comments about her illness, but told Rolling Stone in June 2022 that her mind would happily tour again but her body couldn’t keep up.
“I don’t feel physically up for it,” she said.
“I’m in quite bad health. I’ve got a chronic back problem, which debilitates me. I stand up to play the piano, so I don’t know if I could actually physically do it. What’s that saying? The mind is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Thus far, McVie’s family have not spoken about the cause of death on her Instagram account, which they used to communicate McVie’s passing.
At the time, they wrote, “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death. She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday, November 30th 2022, following a short illness.”
“We would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally. RIP Christine McVie.”
Fleetwood Mac also made an official statement as a band, saying, “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.”
“She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.”
Naturally, all eyes have been on Stevie Nicks, as she was extremely close with McVie during and after her time as Fleetwood Mac’s frontwoman.
In a statement after her passing, Nicks called McVie her “best friend in the whole world since 1975”, adding that she didn’t know Christine had been unwell until Saturday (McVie passed on a Wednesday).
Nicks had wanted to fly to London to be with McVie but was told to wait, and in her honour she sang HAIM’s ‘Hallelujah’ at home, with beautiful lyrics such as “you always remind me that memories will last”.
From the comments also made by Mick Fleetwood, it appears that those around Christine did not know that she was suffering from a potentially life-threatening illness.
“When we first learned that we might be losing Christine, there was an immediate coming together of everything in the band and the Fleetwood Mac family with the hope and possibility that we would not lose Chris,” Fleetwood said. “And now, since the loss of Christine, we all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away.”
Rest in peace, Christine McVie.
