Colin Newby
December 1st, 2022
Long-time Fleetwood Mac singer and keyboardist Christine McVie passed away at age 79 on Wednesday.
McVie also leaves a legacy as a legendary songwriter. Her dynamic chemistry with John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, and her other counterparts with Fleetwood Mac produced timeless hits during the band’s height in the 1970s.
The lasting impact of Fleetwood Mac is made obvious by the number of prominent covers that have become hits my other major artists.
Dolores O’Riordan covered the voice of Stevie Nicks flawlessly in 1996.
“Go Your Own Way” became one of the mot popular of the many songs on Rumours with lyrics alluding to breakups.
However, the pace of the song invokes enough of a light mood despite its depressing lyrics. Listeners have the two legendary female singers to thank for that.
Amy Lee also nailed the Fleetwood Mac sound in the 2019 cover of “The Chain,” another intense song from Rumours.
Elton John covered the upbeat classic “Don’t Stop” from Rumours in 1998.
The Dixie Chicks, who have now shortened their name to just the Chicks, covered “Landslide” in 2002.
They added their own country sound, especially in the song’s opening, to put a new spin on the Fleetwood Mac classic.
It became one of the many cover songs that many fans from a younger generation have heard more than the original version.
Billy Corgan switched it up from his typical style for this Fleetwood Mac cover.
The Smashing Pumpkins became famous for a heavier sound, especially in the opening lines of top hits like “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and “Today.”
However, the creative idea worked for them, especially in this 2018 performance.
Maybe it’s not entirely a cover if a Fleetwood Mac band member was involved with the performance.
Regardless, Carrie Underwood and Lindsey Buckingham performed “Go Your Own Way” together in 2007.
The soothing voice of Vanessa Carlton hits a little bit differently than Stevie Nicks. Her talent as a pianist, however, recreates the element Christine McVie brought to Fleetwood Mac.
Before Evanescence stole the show, Florence and the Machine played “The Chain” in 2010.
