Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks pen personal messages to former Fleetwood Mac colleague Christine Mcvie
Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks have led tributes to the "one-of-a-kind" Christine Mcvie following the Fleetwood Mac star's death at the age of 79.
Nicks lamented the loss of her "best friend in the whole world", while Fleetwood said part of his heart had "flown away" following the news.
Mcvie's family confirmed her death, following a short illness, on Wednesday.
Fleetwood Mac released a joint statement, though Fleetwood and Nicks later posted their own personal messages on social media.
"This is a day where my dear sweet Friend Christine Mcvie has taken to 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 that is gifted to us," Fleetwood wrote.
"Part of my heart has flown away today... I will miss everything about you Christine Mcvie. Memories abound... they fly to me."
Nicks said she had not
known Mcvie was ill until Saturday night, and had wanted to visit her in London.
"A few hours ago I was told that my best friend in the whole world since the first day of 1975, had passed away," she wrote in a heartfelt post on Instagram.
"I didn't even know she was ill... until late Saturday night. I wanted to be in London, I wanted to get to London – but we were told to wait.”
Fleetwood Mac were founded in London in 1967 and have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups in history.
Their best-known songs include Dreams, Go Your Own Way and Everywhere. Despite a tumultuous history, Fleetwood Mac were one of the best-known bands of the 1970s and 80s, comprising Mick Fleetwood, Christine and John Mcvie, Lindsey Buckingham and Nicks.
Perhaps their best-known album, Rumours – released in 1977 – became one of the best-selling of all time and included hits such as Second Hand News, The Chain and the Christine Mcvie-penned You Make Loving Fun.
A statement from the band on Twitter described Mcvie as "truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure".