Mick Fleetwood has led the tributes to fellow Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green following his death, saying his loss is "monumental".
Green's death was announced on Saturday in a statement from his family.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Mick Fleetwood, who formed Fleetwood Mac with Green in 1967 and continued on with the band after Green’s departure in 1970, said, "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!!!"
He added, "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 trailblazed one hell of a musical road for so many to enjoy. God speed to you, my dearest friend."
Stevie Nicks, who joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974, said her biggest regret is not getting to ever share the stage with Green. She has been singing Green’s Black Magic Woman at the band’s recent shows, including at Dublin’s RDS last June.
"I am sorry to hear about the passing of Peter Green. My biggest regret is that I never got to share the stage with him," Nicks posted to Instagram. "I always hoped in my heart of hearts that that would happen."
She continued, "When I first listened to all the Fleetwood Mac records, I was very taken with his guitar playing. It was one of the reasons I was excited to join the band. His legacy will live on forever in the history books of Rock n Roll. It was in the beginning, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac and I thank you, Peter Green, for that. You changed our lives."
Tributes from fellow musicians and fans have been pouring in since the news of his death.
RIP Peter Green. One of the great guitar players of all time. The second of the three legends John Mayall featured in the Bluesbreakers. He somehow managed to follow Eric Clapton at his peak. That's how good he was. (Mick Taylor would follow him). Started Fleetwood Mac. Big loss.
— Stevie Van Zandt (@StevieVanZandt) July 25, 2020
RIP #PeterGreen amazing ' 60's guitarist B B King said out of all the British blues guitar players of the 60s and early 70s he was the only one who gave him chills! Praise indeed...
— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) July 25, 2020
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.
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) July 25, 2020
'#PeterGreen pic.twitter.com/9TfRJFOc64
R.I.P Peter Green. A unique artist and a beautiful guitar player. pic.twitter.com/UeyzpUKlCP
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) July 25, 2020
The phenomenon Peter Green. RIP. pic.twitter.com/loQjeomK79
— The Coral (@thecoralband) July 25, 2020
