Stevie Nicks Admits Her Regret With Peter Green

Mick Fleetwood’s dedication of his book Love That Burns: A Chronicle of Fleetwood Mac Volume 1, 1967-1974 to Peter Green highlights the profound impact Green had on the band’s inception. Fleetwood was upfront stating, “Without Peter, there would be no Fleetwood Mac—period—so let’s get that straight.” Green’s named the band Fleetwood Mac and penned much of their early catalog.

Green was a virtuoso blues guitarist, replacing Eric Clapton in John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers to co-founding Fleetwood Mac with Mick Fleetwood. This simply shows his rare musical talent. Notably, his compositions, including the iconic “Black Magic Woman” and the chart-topping “Albatross,” showcased his exceptional talent and set the band towards a successful musical career.

But with all the success and limelight, Green’s tenure with Fleetwood Mac was marred by personal struggles. His battle with severe mental illness was exacerbated by drug use. His departure from the band in 1971 marked a turning point and opened the way for new members like Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham to join the band. Fleetwood Mac all the more soared to greater heights of success.

Stevie Nicks, reflecting on Green’s legacy, expressed regret over never having shared the stage with him, acknowledging his profound influence on her musical journey. Nicks said:

“My biggest regret is that I never got to share the stage with him.
“I always hoped in my heart of hearts that that would happen. When I first listened to all the Fleetwood Mac records, I was very taken with his guitar playing. It was one of the reasons I was excited to join the band. His legacy will live on forever in the history books of Rock n’ Roll. It was in the beginning, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and I thank you, Peter Green, for that. You changed our lives.”

In his later years, Green grappled with mental health challenges, spending time in psychiatric hospitals due to schizophrenia. Despite these struggles, he continued to create music, releasing solo albums and performing with the Peter Green Splinter Group. His induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 solidified his status as a legendary figure in the music world.

Green’s passing in 2020 marked the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that transcends generations.