Green co-formed the band with Mick Fleetwood

Peter Green, original guitarist and co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, has died at the age of 73. No details were released, but his family shared a statement on Saturday (July 25th), announcing the news.

“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,” they share.

Green co-formed the band with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967 following Green’s stint in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, where he filled in on guitar for Eric Clapton. Bassist John McVie joined shortly thereafter, in part naming the band Fleetwood Mac.

The band saw several hits under Green’s direction, including “Albatross,” “Black Magic Woman” and “Oh Well.” Green left the band in 1970 due to mental health and psychedelic drugs. He was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in hospital in the mid-70s, according to the BBC.

Green was one of the band’s eight members over the years which also include Fleetwood, McVie, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer. They all were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Earlier this year, Mick Fleetwood organized an all-star fundraiser and tribute to Green at the famed London Palladium. Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Jonny Lang, Andy Fairweather Low, John Mayall, Christine McVie, Zak Starkey, Steven Tyler, Bill Wyman, and others celebrated Green’s early blues days where it all began.

Peter Frampton, David Coverdale and many others paid tribute to Green on social media.