As the news of the passing of Peter Green at age 73 arrived on Saturday (July 25), fellow classic rock musicians paid tribute to the Fleetwood Mac co-founder. They were led by Mick Fleetwood who wrote, “No one has ever stepped into the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without a reverence for Peter Green and his talent.” Below are several of the other messages posted on social media.
Mick Fleetwood’s complete post:
For me, and every past and present member of Fleetwood Mac, losing Peter Green is monumental! Peter was the man who started the band Fleetwood Mac along with myself, John McVie, and Jeremy Spencer. No one has ever stepped into the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without a reverence for Peter Green and his talent, and to the fact that music should shine bright and always be delivered with uncompromising passion!!!
Peter,
I will miss you, but rest easy your music lives on. I thank you for asking me to be your drummer all those years ago. We did good, and trail blazed one hell of a musical road for so many to enjoy.
God speed to you, my dearest friend…….
Love Mick Fleetwood
Most sadly have lost one of the most tasteful guitar players ever I have always been a huge admirer of the great Peter Green may he rest in peace.
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) July 25, 2020
“My biggest regret is that I never got to share the stage with him,” said Stevie Nicks. “I always hoped in my heart of hearts that that would happen.” (Full statement below.)
Santana drummer Michael Shrieve wrote: “From sitting in front of our family’s stereo system with my brother Kevin listening to “Hard Road – Peter Green with John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers,” to my hearing of Fleetwood Mac’s “Black Magic Woman” and bringing it to Gregg Role and saying, “We should do this song, you would sound good singing it,” to Peter staying in my Mill Valley house when we were on the road, he has had a profound influence on myself and many other musicians. The sounds of the early John Mayall records with Peter and Eric Clapton, were the soundtrack to many of our lives back then. Thank you Peter.”
Mayall himself wrote, “So very sad to hear about losing Peter Green. We shared a lot of great music together. He was truly one of the greats.”
God bless the ineffable Peter Green, one of the unsung heroes of musical integrity, innovation and spirit. When I heard he left Fleetwood Mac in 1970 to get a real life and donate his wealth to charity, he became something of a model for me.
‘#PeterGreen pic.twitter.com/9TfRJFOc64
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) July 25, 2020
— Stevie Nicks (@StevieNicks) July 26, 2020
Carlos Santana penned a lengthy tribute on his Facebook page:
Dearest MR Peter Green
We know you, B B King and Otis Rush are sharing living tales of wonderment
I cherish and treasure all the time we spent together (especially the time you invited me to be with you and your dearest mother, love the stuffed bell peppers she cooked)
A Hard Road you with John Mayall & the Blues Breakers
Yes Supernatural just sacred
I love you
and I’ll see you Hendrix SRV
Albert Freddie BB all the Kings
yes, Albert Collins mmmm mmm
John Lee Hooker
say hello to Coltrane Miles Jaco
see you in eternity hall
Peace
Carlos and Santana band
Sad to hear of Peter Green passing- one of the greats. RIP. pic.twitter.com/OUHg3KwnNy
— Geezer Butler (@geezerbutler) July 25, 2020
Guitarist Neal Schon of Santana and Journey, wrote, “Good bye to one of the greatest ever. Peter Green was huge influence on my playing and actually got to play with him once right before I joined Santana as I believe they were considering asking him to join as well. God Bless Peter and my Sincere condolences to @mickfleetwoodofficial family and friends 🙏🏽 RIP Peter.”
Fellow British rock and blues musician, Bernie Marsden of Whitesnake, wrote in part, “He never failed to make me pinch myself when we were alone one to one.”
Peter Green – thank you for everything. pic.twitter.com/0dRpM4Luj9
— Bernie Marsden (@Bernie_Marsden) July 25, 2020
Kiss’ Paul Stanley wrote, “RIP Peter Green. One of the absolute hierarchy of the original British blues greats. Clapton, Page, Beck and Green.”
Shocked to hear about Peter Green’s death. He was an extraordinary guitarist and a great influence…
— Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) July 25, 2020
The Twitter page for the late Irish blues guitarist, Rory Gallagher, posted a tribute.
RIP Peter Green. Peter was one of the first musicians in London to welcome Rory and Taste and Rory had huge admiration for Peter. The last recordings Rory ever made were for a Peter Green tribute album, covering ‘Leaving Town Blues’ and ‘Showbiz Blues’. Photo by Michael Putland pic.twitter.com/OO4xM0uQ1v
— Rory Gallagher (@rorygallagher) July 25, 2020
Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett wrote, “No words can describe how I feel right now. Peter Green lives on through his music and his instrument. Our loss is total.”
Peter Green, composer of the most incredibly beautiful haunting songs has passed on from this world.
He couldn’t handle the intensity of the music industry & left the band before they rocketed to global super stardom.
What a beautiful legacy of songs he’s left behind..
RIP sir. pic.twitter.com/XEzfWB3lDo— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) July 26, 2020
Peter Gabriel wrote, “Another great loss. [Peter] was my favourite of all the amazing guitarists that came through the John Mayall blues school His sweet & sad touch was unique & his writing full of an extraordinary & soulful inventiveness.”
Green was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 along with seven other members of Fleetwood Mac: Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Spencer, Lindsey Buckingham, Nicks and Danny Kirwan.
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