Mick Fleetwood Shares Eulogy He Wrote for Christine McVie

Mick Fleetwood, the members of Fleetwood Mac and others close to their inner circle gathered on Monday (January 9) for a "Celebration of Life" event in honor of Christine McVie.

McVie died suddenly after a short illness on November 30, 2022 at the age of 79. Her exact cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.

Fleetwood shared the eulogy he wrote for McVie via Instagram. Accompanying the eulogy is a photo of the two of them on a plane together.  He touches on the loss of his longtime friend and bandmate saying, in part, " ... We all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away."

Fleetwood's full remarks are as follows:

"I wrote this for Chris right after she passed away.

For Chris,
This is a day where my dear, sweet friend Christine McVie has taken flight,
And left us Earthbound folks to listen with bated breath to the sounds of that 'song bird.'
Reminding one and all that love is all around us to reach for and touch in this precious life this is gifted to us.
Part of my heart has flown away today...
I will miss everything about you
Christine McVie
Memories abound...they fly to me.

Thank you for coming today as we celebrate the incredible life of our sweet Christine.

So, when we first learned that we might be losing Christine, there was an immediate coming together of everyone in the band and the Fleetwood Mac family with the hope and possibility that we would not lose Chris.

And NOW since the loss of Christine, we all are still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away.

In THIS moment in time, we celebrate her life, all together here today to help with our healing.

I've been blessed to be a part of a family that created a safe place for Chris and the band's music to unfold. I am extremely honored for her to have been in my family's life for over 55 years. Amy, Lucy, Ruby and Tessa -- my four beautiful daughters -- and extended family grew up sharing life with Christine. We all love and miss her so much already.

The other day when John and I were sitting together and not knowing how to come to terms with the loss of Christine, I blundered into a powerful word. I said, 'John, it's the enormity of it all!'

The enormity of our loss, the enormity of her passion, the enormity of her talents and her unshakable sense of grace in the way she handled life's challenges.

I think she would heave been truly amazed at all the attention and celebrations of her music around the world and in total disbelief at the fact they were closing down sporting events to pay tribute to her. But that was our Christine -- she was a North country girl from beginning to end never caring about the fluff. Again, it was our Christine who gifted so much to millions around the world.

She is being remembered everywhere. Just as her song says, 'I want to be with you everywhere' and she is.

It's with a sense of gratitude and thanks to the Fleetwood Mac family that we are part of...and losing of such a magical component; has sparked a celebration of what Christine means to us. We all miss her as a family member, as a friend, an artist, a performer and God knows a writer of excellence. And those years sharing life together will always be remembered.

I have a poem I want to end with. It is an ancient Sanskrit poem I have next to my bed that was given to me by my mother, Biddy...

Look well to this day
For it is life
The very best of life
In its brief course lie all the 
Realities and truths of existence
The joy of growth
The splendor of action
The glory of power
For yesterday is but a memory
And tomorrow is only a vision
But today, if well lived, makes
Every yesterday a memory
Of Happiness
And every tomorrow
A vision of hope
Look well therefore to this day

Eternal love for Christine and gratitude,
Mick Fleetwood."

Christine McVie was one of Fleetwood Mac's most prolific songwriters on top of being a keyboardist and vocalist for the legendary band. Considering that, it's no surprise many musicians and other entertainers paid tribute to McVie following the news of her untimely death yesterday (November 30) at age 79.

Here are some notable tributes to Fleetwood Mac's not-so-secret weapon.

"Oh dear…..sweet Christine has left us…..that voice, those eyes, that smile. No one like her in the universe. I remember in rehearsal once after playing 'I’d Rather Go Blind,' she looked at me and said, 'I like playing the blues with you, Mike.' I’ve never met anyone with such an angelic aura. Always so kind to everyone. We will all miss you so…..no one could ever fill those shoes…"

"I am so sad to hear of Christine McVie going on to heaven. The world feels weird without her here. What a legend and an icon and an amazing human being. RIP."

"Rest in peace rock n' roll icon Christine McVie, singer and songwriter for Fleetwood Mac. McVie helped shape the sound of the '70s alongside her counterparts in Fleetwood Mac. She wrote and sang lead on some of the band's most memorable hits such as 'Songbird,' 'Say You Love Me' and 'You Make Loving Fun.' The Doors team sends their condolences to Christine's family, friends, fans, and the members of Fleetwood Mac."

"Sad to hear of the passing of Christine McVie .. a truly talented writer whose contribution to Rumours alone stands her head and shoulders above most. The 'Mac' were sat on the next table to us when Stevie Nicks was inducted as a solo artist into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 & to see the smile on CV’s face as her mate got the award just shows she was a brilliant “band” person too… RIP Songbird…-Joe Elliott"

"As a singer, songwriter and keyboard player, Christine was an undeniable talent, responsible for so much of the success of the great rock band Fleetwood Mac. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and the band in this difficult time."

"Oh no! Such a big part of my music world. Journey well…we have lost a beautiful writer and songbird. "

"Oh no. The voice of an angel. RIP #christinemcvie Forever loved."

"I’m saddened by the passing of Christine McVie. '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."

"Peace and love, Christine McVie."

"RIP Christine McVie. Thanks for the music."

"So so sad to hear about Christine McVie an artist I held dear and close to my heart. One of the greatest all time songwriters, singers, and band members, she radiated both purity and sass in equal measure, bringing light to the music of the 70s. RIP. - John."

"#ChristineMcVie has left us. What memories, what joy, and what a legacy…"

"Gutted to learn about the passing of Christine McVie. Just gutted. Songbird forever."

"Christine McVie died. One of the greatest rock voices ever. Both as a singer and songwriter. RIP."

"Same bus driver from Kindergarten to 8th grade. She only had 2 8-Tracks: Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" and Steve Miller Band. That album and her voice is part of my DNA. RIP #ChristineMcVie"

"Sad news that music lost Christine McVie today, however she’s joining those who she loved and maybe they’ve got some amazing big band ‘on the other side’. Condolences to her family to all of @fleetwooddmac and to all her fans."

"Thank you, Queen Christine."

"Christine McVie was an inspiration. She spent a career moving between genres, mixing bluesy vocals with massive pop hooks and rock with balladry. She found room in a gigantic, tumultuous rock band to deliver a poetic, empathetic and sophisticated point of view. A legend."

"Christine McVie gave Fleetwood Mac so much soul. Rest in peace songbird."

"Rest in peace Christine McVie. The music community has lost an incredible pop trailblazer, songwriting icon and a vibrant force within Fleetwood Mac."

"Christine McVie had the most hits of anyone in Fleetwood Mac, yet was somehow the most underrated member. Never flashy, alway great. She was the glue that held all those crazy wonderful elements together. Her songs had a soulfulness unhampered by pretense. RIP."

"RIP Christine McVie. One of my favorite songwriters but also a very gifted illustrator. Her gatefold illustration for Kiln House (1970) is beautiful."