Peter Green: The Most Underrated Guitarist in British Blues?

Fleetwood Mac are one of the most commercially successful bands of all time. They have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, won countless awards and accolades and until recently have continued to sell out packed arenas and stadia. Their album Rumours alone clocked up over 40 million sales, placing it amongst the top 10 best selling albums ever.

They are a household name — widely recognised as one of the best soft rock bands ever and celebrated for hits like The Chain, Go Your Own Way and Everywhere. The individual members of the band have gained personal fame and notoriety.

You cannot say the same about Peter Green.

Peter Green was the lead guitarist, singer and original founder of Fleetwood Mac. Amongst musicians, he is highly regarded, B.B King once saying of Green:

He has the sweetest tone I ever heard; he was the only one who gave me the cold sweats

Yet beyond that, Peter Green is a figure who has largely faded into obscurity. His tragic story bears a striking resemblance to that of Syd Barrett — one of the founding members of Pink Floyd. Like Barrett, Green was the charismatic front man and founder of his band. Like Barrett, his presence haunted his fellow band members…