Mac legend to grace Aldershot stage

FLEETWOOD Mac legend Peter Green will be playing the West End Centre in Aldershot.

He is touring to play the band’s classic hits and will appear at the West End Centre on September 3.

gethampshire.co.uk

He played with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and, most famously, Fleetwood Mac.

Raised in the East End of London, Peter was playing bass in several amateur bands before he met drummer Mick Fleetwood during a brief stint playing lead guitar with Peter B’s Looners.

He left the Looners to replace Eric Clapton as guitarist in the John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

Taking Clapton’s place was never going to be easy but it didn’t take too long for Peter to prove his worth and become the new ‘darling’ of the blues scene.

After Peter joined them the Bluesbreakers recorded their seminal Hard Road album, which included his major instrumental masterpiece The Supernatural.

Having collaborated on just the one album, Peter left the Bluesbreakers to start his own band, with Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass, and Fleetwood Mac was born.

The band released their first album in 1968 to rave reviews, and Green’s classic tracks Black Magic Woman and the number one hit Albatross cemented the band’s success.

Drugs took their toll on Peter’s mental health and he decided to leave Fleetwood Mac in 1970.

He recorded a solo album but then faded into obscurity.

He made guest appearances on albums by ex-band mates and friends before recording more albums in the late 70s and early 80s.

In 1998 he and the rest of Fleetwood Mac were inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

At the time, Mick Fleetwood said of Green: “He’s back in the studio, he’s actually playing again, which is why he’s here on this planet. I do seriously believe he has a magic touch. I think you will never see Pete back out in the showbiz sense of the word but I think you will hear some more music from Peter Green and I hope I’m part of that. I hope that comes to pass.”

Westy employee Nicci Hewett said: “We’re delighted Peter has chosen to play at the Westy, because you really never know when you will get another chance to see this legend, who played such a large part in shaping contemporary music.”

Tickets cost £18 (£16 concessions) and the event is standing.

Available from www3.hants.gov.uk/westendcentre or through the box office on 01252 330040.