Former Fleetwood Mac Member Bob Welch Dead at 65 Guitarist committed suicide in his Nashville home
Former Fleetwood Mac member Bob Welch has died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the age of 65, the Associated Press reports. Welch was found dead by his wife in their Nashville home today just after noon. According to Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron, the musician had been dealing with health issues recently and left a suicide note.
Welch was a guitarist and vocalist in Fleetwood Mac from 1971 until 1974. He joined the group along with Christine and John McVie, and helped establish a more melodic direction for the band after the departure of guitarist Peter Green. He was the sole guitarist on Heroes Are Hard to Find, which was his last record with the band. Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the group shortly after Welch's exit.
Welch went on to pursue a solo career, with Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood serving as his manager well into the Eighties. He scored a handful of hits, including "Sentimental Lady," a cut featuring backing vocals by Buckingham and Christine McVie, in 1977, and "Ebony Eyes" in 1978.
ROLLINGSTONE
I'm stunned and shocked at todays news... Such a pivotal & important player in the early days of Fleetwood Mac. His departure from the group made way for Stevie and Lindsey to join.
Bob was part of Fleetwood Mac's 1971 album "Future Games", 1972's "Bare Trees", 1973's "Penguin" 1973's "Mystery To Me" and 1974's "Heroes Are Hard To Find"
We owe him a lot! We've lost two former members in this year alone! Today is a sad day. RIP Bob Welch.
This is very sad. R.I.P. Bob - we loved you.
ReplyDeleteVery upsetting news indeed. As someone who was a fan of Fleetwood Mac before 1975, I recognize how important Bob was to the life of this band, and so I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing. A great loss; he will be missed.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. I liked a lot of Bob's music. Was lucky to see him at a stadium show in July of 78... opening for FM. Glad I got to see him once. Always loved "Bright Fire" from the Penguin album. RIP.
ReplyDeleteA sad in the music world and my sympathy to all of Fleetwood Mac who would be missing and remebering Bob as he was a big part of the band before Stevie and Lindsey and thing of his wife and family ..I shall never forget "Ebony Eyes" and all he gave to the music world ..rest in Peace
ReplyDeleteLoved this guy, all the records he was on set it up for the next Fleetwood Mac. Check out Bare Tree, Mystery To Me, Penguin........goodness, what a shame. Rest In Peace, brother.
ReplyDeleteFUTURE GAMES and HYPNOTIZED in particular rank among the band's best-ever songs. Goodbye, Bob.
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