Christine McVie is the subject of a new biography, Songbird: An Intimate Biography of Christine McVie, from author Lesley-Ann Jones. The 352-page book arrived November 14, 2024, via publisher John Blake in the U.K.; and in the U.S. on Nov. 19 from Hachette Books. [It was originally titled Perfect after McVie’s original surname.] It can be ordered in the U.S. here and in the U.K. here.
From the publisher’s announcement: Christine McVie – born Christine Perfect on July 12, 1943, in Lancashire, U.K. – was the quintessentially English rock star, as both the backbone and the beating heart of Fleetwood Mac.
Straddling the band’s incarnations to achieve global fame alongside Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and John McVie, the band’s most successful line-up, she wrote and sang many of their greatest hits including “Don’t Stop,” “Say You Love Me,” “Over My Head,” and “You Make Loving Fun.”
As famous for their occasionally life-threateningly decadent lifestyles as for their musical brilliance, they were held together by this strong, constant figure whom they dubbed “the mother” of the band. It was McVie who contained the flock, regrouped them when they went AWOL, focused and blended their talents and always got them back on track.
And yet, as the “engine” of the band during their Rumours era – an album which charted the complete romantic disintegration within the band – her personal life was every bit as tempestuous as those of her bandmates, weathering affairs, divorce, addiction and fiery passion, all of which bled into her songwriting.
Told by an author who herself was friends with Christine, and with new contributions from those who knew her best, Songbird offers a true insider’s view, and deep psychological insight into its subject as a both a woman and a musician – the first, the only, the ultimate picture of a rock legend and a national treasure.
McVie died on November 30, 2022, after a brief illness.
Author Lesley-Ann Jones is an acclaimed biographer, novelist, broadcaster and keynote speaker. She honed her craft on Fleet Street, as a newspaper journalist. She is the bestselling author of Bohemian Rhapsody: The Definitive Biography of Freddie Mercury, Hero: David Bowie, and Ride a White Swan: The Lives & Deaths of Marc Bolan. A childhood friend of David Bowie, Jones has interviewed many of the world’s best-loved artists, including Paul McCartney, Madonna and Prince.
7 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationNo mention of Chicken Shack? Or her artwork on Kiln House?
We haven’t seen the book yet, Captainraff. Just what was supplied by the publisher.
She was an incredible talent. Looking forward to this book.
A fantastic musician and an interesting, important figure in pop/rock history, certainly a treasure but not a national treasure since she lived the majority of her life outside the UK in the US.
Her best stuff was on “Bare Trees” with Danny Kirwan.
The Songbird Has Flown ~ Beautiful Friend…You Moved So Many People ! Your Loving Ways Are What I’ll Remember ~ Say Hi To Tuesday And Vincent ….And Yes You Look Steller ! Oh And Mick Started His Coffee Company ~ See You Again ….wink wink