The Life and Career of Christine Perfect Before Fleetwood Mac

Christine Perfect was already an established blues musician before joining Fleetwood Mac in 1970. 

Known later as Christine McVie, she had gained national recognition in Britain as the keyboardist and lead vocalist of Chicken Shack, and even released a solo album before becoming part of Fleetwood Mac. 

Her pre-Mac career showed clear musical ability, songwriting talent, and performance credibility within the British blues scene.

Timeline of Her Career Before Fleetwood Mac

Early Life and Musical Development

Christine Anne Perfect was born on July 12, 1943, in Bouth, Lancashire, England, and raised in the industrial town of Bearwood, near Birmingham. Her father, Cyril Perfect, was a concert violinist and taught music at St. Peter’s College of Education. Her mother, Beatrice, worked as a medium and spiritualist healer.

Music was part of her life from the start. Christine took classical piano lessons starting at age four.

 However, she did not initially plan to pursue music as a career. In fact, by the time she was a teenager, she had stopped playing piano altogether and enrolled at Birmingham College of Art, where she studied sculpture. 

It wasn’t until she heard American blues and rock and roll—especially the piano stylings of Otis Spann, Fats Domino, and Ray Charles—that she returned to music.

First Musical Projects: Sounds of Blue

Christine’s professional journey began with a local blues band called Sounds of Blue in 1965. The band included Stan Webb and Andy Silvester, musicians who would later form Chicken Shack. 

They played American blues covers and drew from the styles of Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf. Christine provided both piano and vocals.

Sounds of Blue didn’t last long—they split up when members left to join other projects—but this early experience helped Christine build confidence onstage and start writing her material.

Breakthrough with Chicken Shack

In 1967, Christine joined Chicken Shack as the keyboardist and eventually the lead vocalist. The band had just signed to Blue Horizon Records, a British label known for its blues catalog and its association with Fleetwood Mac and other acts of the British blues boom. 

Chicken Shack, like Fleetwood Mac at the time, focused heavily on electric blues and traditional American blues covers.

Christine’s vocals and understated, bluesy keyboard work quickly became a central part of the band’s appeal.

Chicken Shack Discography (Pre-Fleetwood Mac)

“I’d Rather Go Blind” and Public Recognition

Christine’s standout moment in Chicken Shack was her cover of “I’d Rather Go Blind”, originally by Etta James. Her version hit #14 on the UK Singles Chart in 1969 and brought her significant national recognition.

 Her vocal performance was praised for its emotional clarity and restraint, and the song remained one of the band’s most remembered tracks.

That same year, she was named “Top Female Vocalist” by Melody Maker magazine, a major UK music publication. She was now seen not just as a band member but as a frontwoman with the ability to anchor a group.

Christine Perfect’s Solo Work

After leaving Chicken Shack in 1969, Christine took a brief break from band life and released a solo album under her maiden name, titled Christine Perfect. The album, released in 1970, was a mix of blues and pop-tinged tracks.

It included a re-recorded version of “I’d Rather Go Blind,” a cover of “When You Say” by Danny Kirwan (of Fleetwood Mac), and other tracks that showcased her developing songwriting.

While not a commercial hit, the album received critical praise for her voice and compositions. It also showed her shift from pure blues toward a more melodic, pop-rock sound—one that would define her later work in Fleetwood Mac.

Christine Perfect Album Overview

Early Connection with Fleetwood Mac

Christine McVie officially joined Fleetwood Mac just 10 days before their U.S. tour in 1970. Though married to bassist John McVie, she had recently retired from music and was focused on her marriage, making her return unexpected.

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) October 13, 2024

Christine had crossed paths with Fleetwood Mac multiple times in the late 1960s. Both Chicken Shack and Fleetwood Mac were signed to Blue Horizon Records, and they often appeared on the same bills. She also met and married Fleetwood Mac bassist John McVie in 1968.

Even before officially joining, she contributed to Fleetwood Mac projects. She sang backing vocals and played uncredited keyboard parts on Kiln House (1970), the last Fleetwood Mac album before her official membership. Her familiarity with the band, both personally and professionally, made the transition seamless.

Professional Reputation in the Music Industry (Pre-1970)

By the time Christine joined Fleetwood Mac, she had built a resume that included:

She wasn’t added to Fleetwood Mac as a backup singer or supporting player—she came in as a recognized musician with proven value. Her role in reshaping the band’s sound into a more melodic, radio-friendly direction began immediately.

Conclusion

Christine Perfect entered Fleetwood Mac with a full musical identity already in place. She had toured, recorded, written songs, and earned awards—all within the British blues and rock circuit of the 1960s. 

Her time with Chicken Shack and her solo work displayed the songwriting and performance style that she would refine with Fleetwood Mac.

Rather than being shaped by the band, Christine helped shape it from the inside, bringing a distinct voice and melodic sensibility that became central to the band’s success in the decades that followed.

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Natasa Pantelic

My name is Natasa Pantelic, and I work as a content editor at rocksoffmag.com. By profession, I am a business administrator and a professional makeup artist. I enjoy taking care of my appearance and health through strength training, cardio, and a healthy diet. I also have a passion for music, socializing, adventures, and embracing new challenges.

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