Peter Green, co-founder of Fleetwood Mac and a huge figure for blues and beyond, passed away last Saturday, July 25.
The news was confirmed by his family with the following message: “It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep,” the statement reads. “A further statement will be provided in the coming days.”
Peter Alleen Greenbaum, as his real name was, was born in 1946 in London. He was introduced to music by his brother, Michael, when he was 11 years old. At first he played bass, but quickly turned to guitar in Peter Bardens band Peter B’s Looners, where he met drummer Mick Fleetwood.
The first big move of his career was his participation in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, succeeding Eric Clapton! The album “A Hard Road” released in 1967 is considered to be monumental. In the same year he decided to leave the Bluesbreakers and form his own blues band that quickly evolved into Fleetwood Mac, which within 2 years released 3 albums (“Fleetwood Mac”, “Mr.Wonderful”, “Then Play On”) and many successful singles, such as the instrumental “Albatross”, which reached No. 1 on the British charts, “Oh, Well”, “Man Of The World” and “Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)”, which was covered by Judas Priest on “Killing Machine” in 1979.
However, he also left Fleetwood Mac in 1970, participated in sessions, released a solo album (“The End Of The Game”), returned to the band for a tour and some studio recordings, but his serious mental state (he was diagnosed with schizophrenia) and the widespread use of hallucinogens have resulted in his incarceration in psychiatric clinics and electroshock treatments.
However, in 1979 he managed to return to music with a solo album “In The Skies”, he collaborated again with Fleetwood Mac, recorded as a session musician, and formed the Peter Green Splinter Group, with the participation of Cozy Powell and Neil Murray on drums and bass respectively, in the 90’s
As an influence, Green is mentioned by many great guitarists such as Gary Moore (in 1995 he released “Blues For Greeny” with covers of songs by Peter Green), Joe Perry (Aerosmith), Andy Powell (Wishbone Ash), Noel Gallagher (!), Colin Greenwood (Radiohead bassist).
Many musicians reacted to the news of his death such as Kirk Hammet, David Coverdale, Paul Stanley, Jay Jay French, Steve Hacket, Peter Frampton, Geezer Butler, Bernie Marsden.
