Heavyweight and music enthusiasts mourned the death of Fleetwood Mac co-founder and influential blues guitarist Peter Green, sharing remarks and tributes on social media on Saturday.
The acclaimed British guitarist died “peacefully in his sleep” this weekend at the age of 73, according to an advertisement from a law firm representing his family.
Green formed Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967 in London and was instrumental in shaping the band’s early bluesy sound. He left the band in 1971 after struggling with drugs and his mental health: He was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the mid-1970s and spent time in hospitals and psychiatric clinics undergoing electroconvulsive therapy. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with the other members of Fleetwood Mac, in 1998.
Green’s hits with the band include “Black Magic Woman”, “Albatross” and “Oh Well”.
“For me, and for all past and present Fleetwood Mac members, losing Peter Green is monumental!” Mick Fleetwood said in a statement provided to The Times. “Peter was the man who started the Fleetwood Mac band along with John McVie and Jeremy Spencer. No one has entered the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without reverence for Peter Green and his talents, and the fact that music must shine and be delivered with unwavering passion!
Fleetwood continued: “Peter, I will miss you, but you can rest easy because your music is still alive. I thank you for asking me to be your drummer so many years ago. We did well, and the trail opened a hellish musical path for many to enjoy. ”
“My biggest regret is that I was never able to share the stage with him,” said Stevie Nicks, the singer-songwriter who joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975, in a statement provided to The Times. “I always waited in my heart for that to happen. When I first listened to all the Fleetwood Mac records, I was very impressed by playing her guitar. It was one of the reasons I was excited to join the band. His legacy will live forever in Rock n Roll history books. At first it was Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and I thank you Peter Green for that. You changed our lives. “
A number of fans and musical luminaries, including Peter Frampton and Kirk Hammett of Metallica, paid tribute on social media to Green and his talent.
Frampton described Green as “one of the tastiest guitarists” and noted that he has always been partial to his work. Yusuf Islam, better known as Cat Stevens, called Green one of the “anonymous heroes of musical integrity, innovation, and spirit.” And Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler called Green “one of the greats.”
Billy Idol, Marc Maron and more paid tribute in the tweets that follow.
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