Peter Green, legendary guitarist and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac passed away this past Saturday at the age of 73.
A statement from his family read, “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 took over guitar duties in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers when Eric Clapton left, and co-founded Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967. Green wrote some of the band’s early hits including “Albatross,” “Oh Well,” and “Black Magic Woman.” Green helped produce the band’s first three albums before leaving the band in 1970 amidst struggles with his mental health.
While his time with Fleetwood Mac receives less attention than the band’s years with Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham, Green’s guitar work and songwriting have inspired countless others. Santana’s cover of “Black Magic Woman” was one of that band’s biggest hits, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers regularly covered “Oh Well” in concert, and Judas Priest covered “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” on their 1978 Hell Bent for Leather album.
Several tributes from other artists have come out in recent days. Guitarist Neal Schon of Journey, who played in Santana’s band in the early 70’s, posted two excellent Peter Green tributes to his Instagram account: a 17-minute version of “Black Magic Woman,” and a cover of “Albatross.”
