The music legend’s solicitor announced the sad news in a statement, confirming he died in his sleep. The message, from Swan Turton solicitors, read: ‘It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep.
Following the sad news, fans rushed to Twitter to pay their respects to the late star. ‘There was no Fleetwood Mac after this man. Just a radio friendly hits band,’ one commented.
‘A true legend and sublime guitarist/song writer. RIP Peter Green.’ ‘Peter Green leaves an amazing legacy,’ another shared. ‘Green Manalishi contains one of the greatest riffs in rock music.’ ‘One of the all time greats, formed a band that would dominate the world. RIP Peter Green,’ a follower penned. While a Twitter user added: ‘Gutted. RIP Greeny. What a guitarist. What a tone. What a voice. One of the all time greats.’ The blues rock guitarist formed Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood, all the way back in 1967.
While in the group, he penned some of their most beloved hits, including Oh Well and The Green Manalishi. However, he left the group after a performance three years later, following a struggle with mental health issues – and Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined shortly after. Peter was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and took time out of the spotlight to seek treatment. He later re-emerged and formed the Peter Green Splinter Group alongside Nigel Watson and Cozy Powell, in the late ’90s – with the band releasing nine albums overall. In a rare interview following his departure from Fleetwood Mac, Mick heaped praise on his former bandmate.
The Landslide star described him as a ‘major talent that to this day holds out,’ in a chat with PA in 1992, adding: ‘I consider myself very lucky to have even played with him.’ Peter was among the eight members of the band – along with Mick, Stevie, Lindsey, John McVie, Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer – who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. At the beginning of this year, the icon was honoured in a concert celebrating the earlier years of Fleetwood Mac. Mick, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour were among those performing at the London Palladium to commemorate their success. Peter is survived by daughter Rosebud Samuels-Greenbaum – who he shares with ex-wife Jane Samuels.
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