Fleetwood Mac Founder Peter Green Dead at 73
The celebrated musician died peacefully in his sleep.
Fleetwood Mac founder Peter Green has died at 73 years old.
“It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep,” the Green’s legal representative confirmed, adding that a further statement will be released soon.
Green co-founded Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967. The two first played together for John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers, with Green filling in for Eric Clapton. They then enlisted Jeremy Spencer on the guitar and Bluesbreakers bassist John McVie to create the original lineup for their self-titled debut album in 1968. Green left the band just two years later and released a total of seven solo albums, but was plagued with mental illness in the ’70s and ’80s.
Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 and included Fleetwood, McVie, Green, Spencer and Danny Kirwan, along with newer members Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham.
Fleetwood shared a short but touching tribute to Green:
“For me, and every past and present member of Fleetwood Mac, losing Peter Green is monumental! Peter was the man who started the band Fleetwood Mac along with myself, John McVie, and Jeremy Spencer. No one has ever stepped into the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without a reverence for Peter Green and his talent, and to the fact that music should shine bright and always be delivered with uncompromising passion!!!
Peter,
I will miss you, but rest easy your music lives on. I thank you for asking me to be your drummer all those years ago. We did good, and trail blazed one hell of a musical road for so many to enjoy.God speed to you, my dearest friend…….”
