The tributes are continuing to pour in for Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie.
The singer-songwriter, who was behind hits including Little Lies, Everywhere, Don't Stop, Say You Love Me and Songbird, died peacefully at a hospital in the company of her family, a statement said.
Born Christine Perfect, McVie, who grew up in Smethwick and Birmingham – where she attended Moseley School of Art - was principally known as a singer and the band's keyboardist. She also released three solo albums. Her lyrics focused on love and relationships.
Married bassist John McVie, she joined the group at the start of the 1970s as it became one of the world's best known rock bands throughout the 1970s and '80s. Their 1977 album Rumours - inspired by the break-ups of the McVies and the band's other couple, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks - became one of the biggest selling of all time, with more than 40 million copies sold worldwide.
One of eight members of the band to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, she left Fleetwood Mac after 28 years in 1998 but returned in 2014. After the success of their live album ‘The Dance’, she retired to Kent, saying a fear of flying meant she was leaving the band, before rediscovering her love of performing at a one-off appearance with the group at London's O2 arena in 2013 and returned to them a year later.
"It was amazing”, she recalled at the time, “like I'd never left. I climbed back on there again and there they were, the same old faces on stage."
The family's statement said: "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".
Former US President Bill Clinton tweeted: "Don't Stop was my '92 campaign theme song - it perfectly captured the mood of a nation eager for better days. I'm grateful to Christine & Fleetwood Mac for entrusting us with such a meaningful song. I will miss her."
She was 79.
