The University of Greenwich Press Release, March 2000

Fleetwood Mac Star, Christine McVie, Awarded Honorary Degree At Rochester Cathedral
3-30pm Thursday July 20, 2000

Christine McVie, vocalist, keyboard player and songwriter with the internationally renowned band Fleetwood Mac is to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by the University of Greenwich. Christine, who lives locally near Canterbury, has been honored for her major contribution to international popular music, which has spanned many cultures and created lasting impact.

The Pro Chancellor of the University of Greenwich, Dr Keith Warren will confer the degree on Thursday, July 20 at a ceremony in the eleventh century Norman cathedral in Rochester near the University's Medway University Campus. After the ceremony 120 staff and students will process from Rochester Cathedral to the Corn Exchange in Rochester High Street.

Christine will explain during her speech of acceptance that: "I find the prospect of standing here before you today more daunting than singing in front of 65,000 people at Madison Square Gardens in New York".

Christine McVie, 57, began her music career in 1968, performing with the bands Chicken Shack and Sounds of Blue. She was voted best female vocalist in the 1969 Melody Maker poll. Christine joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 and went on to play a crucial part in the band’s creativity for 25 years. She wrote and performed on many of their best selling platinum albums, including Rumours, one of the best-selling albums of all time. Her classic work includes the songs You make loving fun, Say you love me, Don't stop, Over my head, Hold me, Everywhere and Little Lies.

President Clinton asked Fleetwood Mac to appear at his 1992 Inaugural Ball, performing his campaign song, written by Christine, Don't stop (thinking about tomorrow). The band’s last album, The Dance, was released in 1997, at the time of the last Fleetwood Mac tour. In 1998, Fleetwood Mac was honored by inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a lifetime achievement at the Brit Awards.

Interviews and photo-opportunities will be possible prior to the ceremony from around 2-45 to 3-15 pm. Flash photography is not permitted during the ceremony.

The procession from the Cathedral to the Corn Exchange begins at approximately 4.30pm.

For further information:
Caron Jones
Public Relations Unit
University of Greenwich

020 8331 8937 (phone)
020 8331 8093 (fax)

University of Greenwich
Public Relations Unit

Maritime Greenwich University Campus, 30 Park Row, London SE10 9LS

TELEPHONE: 020 8331 8092 FAX: 020 8331 8093

www.gre.ac.uk/general/pr/473bhon.htm

University of Greenwich

Press Release

Wednesday, July 26, 2000

Award Of Honorary Degrees 2000

Award Of Honorary Degrees At University Of Greenwich

Alan Holdsworth: a disability rights singer and songwriter, better known as Johnny Crescendo. He is Senior Equalities Manager for Birmingham City Council.

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