Legendary Guitarist And Fleetwood Mac Co-Founder Peter Green Dies Aged 73
Saturday, 25 July 2020
Written by Laura Johnson
Peter Green has died aged 73.
A statement from the solicitors of the legendary blues guitarist's family confirmed that he passed away "peacefully in his sleep", though further details were not given and another statement is expected imminently.
"It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep.
"A further statement will be provided in the coming days."
Green co-founded Fleetwood Mac in the summer of 1967 after leaving John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, where he stood in for Eric Clapton. The line up was completed by drummer Mick Fleetwood, slide guitarist Jeremy Spencer and bassist Bob Brunning. The latter only lasted a few weeks, though, before he was replaced by John McVie.
Fleetwood Mac released their self-titled debut album in 1968 and with Green at the helm put out two more records, 1968's 'Mr Wonderful' and 1969's 'Then Play On', before his departure in 1970. It is widely reported that Green took large amounds of LSD during the band's early career and also struggled with his mental health, eventually being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
The guitarist composed Fleetwood Mac's highest charting song Albatross, which reached number one in the UK's single chart in 1968 — still the band's only number one song. He also embarked on a solo career after leaving the band, his debut being 1970's 'The End Of The Game' and last under his own steam 1983's 'Kolors'.
Green was included in the Fleetwood Mac line up that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998, alongside Steve Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Jeremy Spencer, Danny Kirwan and Christie Mcvie.
Mick Fleetwood and friends celebrated the music of Green and the early years of Fleetwood Mac at a London show in February. The band's co-founder and drummer was joined at the Palladium by bandmate Christine McVie, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Jonny Lang, Andy Fairweather Low, John Mayall, Zak Starkey, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Bill Wyman.
Prior to the news of Green's death, the band recently announced they would be releasing 'Fleetwood Mac 1969-1974' on September 4, an eight CD collection that includes remastered versions of the seven studio albums the band recorded in those years, as well as bonus tracks and a previously unreleased 1974 concert.
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