Drummer and songwriter Mick Fleetwood has shared the heartfelt eulogy he wrote following the death of vocalist Christine McVie.
The Fleetwood Mac singer passed away on 30 November 2022 at the age of 79 after suffering a short illness.
On Thursday (12 January), the band's remaining members and Fleetwood Mac's 'extended family' gathered to celebrate McVie's life in a service held in Little Beach House in Malibu, California.
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Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks were all spotted outside the venue, and Fleetwood later took to Instagram to share with the world his eulogy which he wrote on the day McVie passed away.
He shared his tribute in a series of images which began with one of him and McVie smiling together on a plane, alongside the caption: "For Christine."
"This is what I presented on Monday 9 January, 2023 at the Celebration of Life for Christine McVie in Malibu,” he wrote at the start of the document, adding: "It was a beautiful tribute to a wonderful woman and an incredible talent.”
The eulogy reads: "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'...
"Part of my heart has flown away today," Fleetwood went on, adding: "I will miss everything about you."
Later in the eulogy, the drummer reflected on the moment the band learned of the singer's ill health.
"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 are all still trying to come to terms with the fact she has really flown away,” he wrote.
Fleetwood went on to express belief McVie would have 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,” he said.
“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...
"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."
Fleetwood ended his eulogy with a poem, before adding: "Eternal love for Christine and gratitude."
Emily Brown