(Credits: Far Out / LastFM)
Mon 5 January 2026 15:44, UK
Music was at the epicentre of the life lived by the late Fleetwood Mac singer Christine McVie, who was a fan first, and an artist second.
There was never a chapter of her life that didn’t heavily involve music once she was able to walk, talk and think freely. While being in one of the most successful groups of all time wasn’t necessarily her ambition from an early age, Fleetwood Mac proved to be the perfect vessel for her to express her artistry.
At only four years old, McVie was introduced to the piano, which would become her weapon of choice, and sow the seeds for her to be the keyboardist for Fleetwood Mac.
She wasn’t the only McVie to possess he musical gene, her father was a violinist and music lecturer. Additionally, her grandfather was an organist at Westminster Abbey. Therefore, it was no surprise that McVie followed the family trade.
As much as music was an all-consuming part of her life from an extremely young age, McVie didn’t find the genre that spoke to her on a personal level until she was a teenager. Born in 1943, rock ‘n’ roll was yet to exist in the form as we know it today when she was coming of age, but once the 1960s rolled around, McVie was all in. And, there was one band from Liverpool that she gravitated to more than anybody else.
The music of this decade occupied a special place in McVie’s heart and was the era she considered to be the finest in the music industry. On a personal level, this was a decade of significant change for the late singer, who played with a selection of different artists before becoming a member of Fleetwood Mac in 1968, which changed her life forever.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2022, McVie discussed the musical acts that meant the most to her, with a heavy emphasis on the ’60s, stating, “I’m a big fan of Steely Dan; the Beach Boys; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. I like quite a broad range of people.”
However, McVie did save the best until last, adding: “And my favourite… the Beatles, of course. Some of their songs move me to tears.”
Although she never got to work with any of The Beatles, singing with Paul McCartney was placed high on her bucket list. When asked in 2017 about her dream duet, McVie responded: “It would have to be Paul McCartney because we would sing well together.”
Whenever the opportunity arose, McVie liked to give props to the Fab Four, including during her appearance on the BBC radio programme Desert Island Discs.
McVie further illustrated her credentials as a super fan of The Beatles in the broadcast by opting for a deep cut and naming their cover of Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Beethoven’ as one of her favourite songs of all time.
Explaining her decision, McVie detailed her deep-rooted appreciation for the group: “My parents bought me this album for Christmas, and it was during Beatlemania. I was one of the Beatlemaniacs. I must have been about 19-20; oh, I played this record until there was nothing left of it. It was all about the melodies, the songs, the harmonies. The voices were so upfront and crystal clear. I think their use of space was so crucial.”
Due to being an adult when The Beatles emerged, McVie wasn’t necessarily in their target demographic. However, just like those who were several years younger, McVie had her horizons shifted by the Fab Four and viewed them as musical messiahs.
Although new music came along that she also admired, her love for The Beatles continued to exist on an unparalleled level.
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