Classic Rock
Fleetwood Mac’s co-founder and guitarist Peter Green dies at 73
Legendary Fleetwood Mac‘s co-founder and guitarist Peter Green died at the age 73 during saturday, July 25. According to the Associated Press, the death was confirmed by family lawyers in a statement. The document says the musician died “peacefully in his sleep”. An additional statement will be issued in the next few days, said legal counsel.
Advertisement
Green composed some of the classics “Albatross”, “Oh Well”, “Black Magic Woman” and “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)”. He was born in London on October 29, 1946. At the age of ten he won his first guitar and did not stop playing.
He was an important figure of the British blues movement. B.B. King commented, “He’s got the sweetest tone I’ve ever heard; he’s the only one who made me sweat.” Eric Clapton also praised his style as a guitar player. In addition he became known for the use of string flexions, vibrato and economy of style.
Green left the band after a last performance in 1970, while struggling with his mental health. Eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia he spent time in the hospital in the mid-1970s. He was among the eight members of the band – along with Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer – who were introduced to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
In addition, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Green at 58th place on it’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time“.
Fleetwood Mac talked about the death of Peter Green saying:
“RIP to Peter Green ‘the Man of the World’. Thank you for all the years of music that will live on forever. Peter founded Fleetwood Mac back in 1967, but decided to name the band after his favourite rhythmic duo Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. He went on to have a solo career outside Fleetwood Mac. The Fleetwood Mac album Then Play On is marked as one of the highlights of his career.”
