Christine McVie, the vocalist, composer, and keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac, was born in the United Kingdom.
Christine McVie passed away on Wednesday at the age of 79. Her calm, soulful contralto helped define such standards as "You Make Loving Fun," "Everywhere," and "Don't Stop."
The band posted a notice of her passing on their social media platforms. No cause of death or more information was immediately given.
She "went away quietly in hospital this morning" with relatives by her side, according to a family statement, following a "brief illness."
The statement from the band says, in part, "She was genuinely one-of-a-kind, extraordinary and gifted beyond measure."
In a band noted for its frequent line-up changes and erratic personalities, McVie was a consistent presence and personality.
The band was a constant source of fascination for fans during its most successful commercial years, from 1975 to 1980, when it sold tens of millions of records and turned its own struggles into catchy, compelling songs.
McVie, who was born Christine Perfect in Bouth, Lancashire, had studied classical piano as a kid but abandoned it after hearing the early rock music of artists like Fats Domino.
She made friends with several members of Britain's budding blues scene while attending the Moseley School of Art, and in her 20s she became a singer and pianist for the band Chicken Shack.
She was a fan of Fleetwood Mac, a competitor band that at the time boasted the skills of blues guitarist Peter Green in addition to the rhythm unit of Fleetwood and McVie. She joined the band in 1970 and later wed John McVie.