Unseen Images Of Christine McVie

Christine McVie In 1969

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Back in the late 1960s there were few women who played the blues but Christine McVie said she never felt singled out and was comfortable in the music she was bringing to us. She was called "ground breaking" at that time and felt appreciated which urged her to continue doing what she loved.

John And Christine In 1970

Image source: Pictorial Press

Christine and John McVie tied the knot in 1968 and she joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970.  They were both happy for the first three years of their marriage but being in the same band together and seeing each other 24/7, took its toll and the relationship deteriorated.  This, of course, affected the rest of the band as tensions were high.

Christine On A Private Jet In 1975

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Here we see Christine McVie on board Fleetwood Mac's private jet in 1975.  The band had experienced moderate fame in the early '70s but once their second album dropped in '75, they shot to international stardom and private jets were part of the trappings of their new found wealth.

At The Oakland Coliseum In 1977

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It's no secret that Fleetwood Mac dabbled in dr*gs during the 1970s and Christine McVie spoke about it on occasions.  She divulged stories how the boys in the band would be provided with c*caine in Heineken bottle tops when they were on stage and Stevie and herself did "tiny little spoons."

Discussing Song Writing In 1979

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Christine was a talented songwriter as well as a stunning vocalist.  "Don't Stop", "Everywhere" and "Little Lies" were all her own work and have stood the test of time, to this day.  Christine didn't write songs to relax and tended to get to the piano when there was pressure to come up with new hits.

Wembley Arena In 1980

Image source: Getty ImagesWembley Arena in London was home to six shows in 1980 and Christine, along with her accordion, performed at one of them.  Her philosophy was always to follow her heart and only do gigs she knew she was going to enjoy.  Because Fleetwood Mac were often arguing, the atmosphere could change "on the turn of a penny."

Christine McVie Feeling Burned Out In 1983

Image source: Abadari/RexChristine had been touring for so long, since the 1960s with her previous group and well before Stevie and Lindsey joined Fleetwood Mac.  The time came in 1983 when she felt burned out.  Such a big chunk of  her life had been spent living out of suitcases and she had developed a fear of flying.

Christine McVie On "American Bandstand" In 1984

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Christine McVie appeared with her band performing on “American Bandstand” in 1984.  This American music and dance television program aired between 1952 and 1989 and always starred one popular music artist and was always watched by millions of tv viewers.

Christine McVie And Stevie Nicks In 1987

Image source New York Post

Christine had been very open about her jealousy when Stevie Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac.  She felt as if she had been side lined and "kicked off stage" as Stevie was hugely popular, with an amazing singing voice.  Christine said she tended to hide behind the keyboards, where she felt at home.

Christine McVie In Los Angeles, California In 1987

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During an interview in Los Angeles, Christine commented that she felt very fortunate for the position she was in.  Even though it was hard work and tough going, fans were always so nice to her.  She was always generous with handing out autographs and saw it as a real compliment.

At Mick Fleetwood's Wedding In 1988

Image source: ABC PhotosLindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie attended Mick Fleetwood's wedding to Sarah Recor in 1988. Sarah was a friend of Stevie Nicks who, herself, was married to another music producer at this time.  Mick's marriage didn't last and the couple split up and divorced in 1995.

Christine McVie At Wembley Arena In 1988

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A regular at Wembley Arena in London, Fleetwood Mac were performing there again in 1988.  No matter how many arguments had gone on backstage, as soon as the curtain was up, they put everything into their songs.  Christine McVie said she tended to put even more emotion into a song if they had just had a disagreement.

Christine McVie At The Met Center, Bloomington In 1990

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The big advantage of being in a band is that you have a strong shoulder to lean on, when you are on stage.  However, as a solo artist, as Christine was, when performing at the Met Center, Bloomington, the pressure is on to deliver what the crowd expects and what they want.

On Stage For The Today Show In 2014

Image source: NYT

Christine McVie is in her happy place here, on stage with Fleetwood Mac for the TODAY Show at Rockefeller Plaza in New York, NY on October 9, 2014.  The distinctive tone of her voice sounded no different from previous decades, as the standing ovation from the audience confirmed.

Christine With Lifetime Achievement Award In 2014

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Fleetwood Mac's Christine McVie was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the 2014 Ivor Novello songwriting awards which took place at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London.  Picking up the coveted trophy, McVie confirmed she had rejoined Fleetwood Mac after a 15 year absence.

With Lindsay Buckingham In L.A. In 2014

Image source: Invision

Shortly after McVie rejoined Fleetwood Mac in 2014, she and Buckingham met up at Studio D at the Village Recorder in Los Angeles which is where the band recorded the "Tusk" album in 1979.  Eight original songs were written and recorded including "Too Far Gone" and "Red Sun."

Christine McVie At Madison Square Garden In 2014

Image source: Invision

Christine McVie was in her element and in a great head space when she performed at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 6, 2014.  She wrote and sang a number of Fleetwood Mac’s biggest hits, including classics such as “Don’t Stop,” “You Make Loving Fun” and “Everywhere.”

Christine Discussing Band's New Album In 2017

Image source: Getty ImagesChristine did the rounds in 2017 by appearing on various television and radio shows and she discussed Fleetwood Mac's new album.  Fans had been waiting a long time for this and some of the new material, said the critics, was right up there with their very best earlier stuff.

Lindsey And Christine Launch New Album in 2017

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Talking about the new album, Christine commented, "Lindsey and I have a particular synergy, in the fact that we were the only actual people that were playing more than single notes in the band."  There was a certain amount of romance on the records because Christine "couldn't help herself."

Christine And Stevie In New York City In 2018

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MusiCares Person of the Year honored Fleetwood Mac at Radio City Music Hall on January 26, 2018 in New York City.  Christine McVie and Stevie Nicks were present and they performed a short set which was extremely well received by the audience.  Past differences between the two artists were not to be seen!

With Mick Fleetwood In Vegas In 2018

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Christine McVie and Mick Fleetwood were at the iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena in Vegas.  There had been "Rumors!" that that may not attend, following the much publicised disagreements between the band so fans were more than happy to see them put their differences aside.

Roll Hall Of Fame In 2019

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Christine McVie and Neil Finn of Fleetwood Mac attended their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony which was held at the Barclays Center in March 2019, in New York.  Despite music domination and mega successful albums over the years, they were very humble during the event.

Christine McVie Speaks Candidly In 2022

Image source: Randee St Nicholas

This is both a happy and sad image as we remember what an absolute talent this lady was.  It was one of the last interviews she gave before she passed away.  "I haven’t thought about making another record. The Songbird album might be my swansong. I’m going to be 80 next year, so I gotta slow down a bit, you know."

AND UNSEEN IMAGES OF CHRISTINE McVIE WITH THE BAND .... The Group Pose In Los Angeles In 1974

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You have to remember that drug culture in the 1960 and 1970s, in particular, was rife amongst the rich and famous and bands didn't really have an issue speaking about it.  Christine McVie reported, "My dr*g of choice was c*caine and champagne. I didn’t use any other dr*gs at all. It’s easy for me to say, but I think it made me perform better."

Hollywood Star In 1979

Image source: Insider

Here we see Christine with her husband, John McVie.  He is raising his hands in celebration as the members of Fleetwood Mac get ready for the unveiling of their star on Hollywood Boulevard's Walk of Fame in Los Angeles in 1979.  A proud time for them when it's confirmed that you've made an impact in your industry.

John McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks And Mick Fleetwood In New Haven In 1975

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The band are looking very relaxed here which was often not the case.  Fiery personalities and clash of opinions led to many fallouts over the decades.  Christine McVie commented, "We had our fights here and there, but there was nothing like the music or the intensity onstage."

Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks And John McVie In 1977

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Posing for a portrait to stamp their influence within the music industry, Fleetwood Mac look natural and happy.  Of their personalities, Christine said that Stevie was the Welsh witch, she was Mother nature and Mick (Fleetwood) was the raving lunatic of the band!

Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, John McVie, Christine McVie And Lindsey Buckingham In 1977

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"Rumors" had been released and taken the world by storm, selling millions (over the years).  It wasn't just the musical arrangement that got us all hooked but the wording to the songs which felt very biographical and meaningful.  The purity and harmony of their collective voices was a joy to behold.

For The Launch Of The "Tusk" Tour Book In 1979

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This is Fleetwood Mac as photographed by Sam Emerson for the "Tusk" tour book which was the sequel to "Rumors."  It cost over a million dollars, at that time making it the most expensive rock record to be recorded.  This classic line up made two more albums, "Mirage" and "Tango in the Night.

At The O2 In 2013

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When the band headlined at the O2 in London in 2013, Christine McVie made a surprise appearance, singing "Don’t Stop." In 2014, she officially returned for the first Fleetwood Mac tour in 16 years that would feature the classic line up.  This is the time they teased a new album night be forthcoming.