Peter Green, the influential blues rock guitarist and co-founder of
Fleetwood Mac, has died. He was 73.
The musician's death was confirmed by his family members in a statement shared with the
BBC.
“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," the statement reads.
Born in London in 1946, Green began his career as a teenager in 1965 as the guitarist for
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, where he replaced
Eric Clapton. Two years later, Green teamed up with drummer Mick Fleetwood to form Fleetwood Mac. The two later recruited John McVie on bass.
Under Green's direction, the early incarnation of Fleetwood Mac released three albums, starting with its 1968 self-titled debut, followed by
Mr. Wonderful (1968) and
Then Play On (1969).
During his time in the group, Green penned such popular songs as "Albatross," "Man of the World," "Oh Well" and "Black Magic Woman," which later became a hit for
Santana.