On This Day in 2020: Peter Green, Co-Founder and Guitarist of Fleetwood Mac, Died at Age 73

Black-and-white photo of Peter Green, Fleetwood Mac’s founding guitarist, performing onstage with a Gibson Les Paul and wearing a cross necklace.

via The Guitar Show / YouTube

Early Life and Rise with Fleetwood Mac

Peter Green, co-founder and original guitarist for Fleetwood Mac, died peacefully in his sleep on July 25, 2020, at the age of 73. Born Peter Greenbaum in east London in 1946, he formed the group with drummer Mick Fleetwood, bassist John McVie, and guitarist Jeremy Spencer in 1967.

Within his first three years in the band, Green wrote several classic tracks including “Black Magic Woman,” “Albatross,” “Man of the World,” and “Oh Well.” Fleetwood Mac became one of Britain’s top blues-rock bands, and their debut album hit the UK Top 4 in early 1968.

 

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Mental Health Decline and Departure

In May 1970, Green left Fleetwood Mac amid mounting mental health struggles. He later described it as leaving “for my freedom” after releasing the haunting last single he recorded with them, “The Green Manalishi.” He was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent years in psychiatric care, including undergoing electroconvulsive therapy.

A turning point occurred during a 1969 tour stop in Munich. Green had a severe LSD experience at a commune that many consider the start of his decline, and he was rescued by his bandmates and crew afterward. His mental state worsened, and his behavior became more erratic. At one point, he threatened his accountant over royalty checks.

Later Career and Recognition

After decades away from the public eye, Green resurfaced in the late 1990s. He formed the Peter Green Splinter Group, releasing several blues albums between 1997 and 2004. He also appeared uncredited on Fleetwood Mac’s 1979 album Tusk and worked with Mick Fleetwood on other projects.

In 1998, Green was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac, alongside members like Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John and Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan, and Jeremy Spencer. Legends such as B.B. King called him “the only one who gave me the cold sweats,” and Noel Gallagher named him “without question the best British blues guitarist ever.”

Legacy and Tribute

His influence reached guitarists and fans alike. Rolling Stone ranked Green No. 58 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists, praising his innovative blues style and melodic sense. Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks paid tribute to him, noting his role in the band’s origin and impact on music history.

In early 2020, just before the pandemic, a star-studded tribute concert was held at London’s Palladium celebrating Green’s early work. Performers included David Gilmour, Billy Gibbons, Noel Gallagher, Pete Townshend, Steven Tyler, and others. That event recognized how far his early blues work with Fleetwood Mac reached, inspiring many artists and fans around the world.

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