Fleetwood Mac co-founder Peter Green dies, aged 73

The guitarist was responsible for some of the group's most notable early hits

Peter Green performs his original song 'Black Magic Woman' after Carlos Santana was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Reuters

Peter Green, a co-founder of British rock band Fleetwood Mac, died aged 73, his family's solicitors said on Saturday.

"It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep," Swan Turton Solicitors said.

“A further statement will be provided in the coming days.”

The blues guitarist, from East London, co-founded Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967.

Green was behind some of the band's best known hits, including Albatross and Black Magic Woman.

Other members, including Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer, later joined the band, which went on to become one of the biggest-selling rock acts of all time.

Green left the group in 1970 before it became one of rock’s most well-known acts.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia before going undergoing electroconvulsive therapy in the mid-1970s.

Green released music after his split from Fleetwood Mac, most recently as Peter Green Splinter Group in the 1990s.

His guitar style was praised by musicians around the globe, including Eric Clapton, who admired Green's use of string bending. Critics frequently referred to Green as one of the best guitarists of all time.