Danny Kirwan, Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist, Found Dead At 68

Danny Kirwan, the former Fleetwood Mac guitarist, died on Friday at the age of 68-years-old. Drummer and co-founder of the British band, Mick Fleetwood, confirmed Kirwan’s death via Facebook.

Fleetwood, who originally recruited 18-year-old Kirwan, wrote the online tribute.

“Today was greeted by the sad news of the passing of Danny Kirwan in London, England. Danny was a huge force in our early years. His love for the Blues led him to being asked to join Fleetwood Mac in 1968, where he made his musical home for many years,” Fleetwood wrote. “Danny’s true legacy, in my mind, will forever live on in the music he wrote and played so beautifully as a part of the foundation of Fleetwood Mac, that has now endured for over fifty years. Thank you, Danny Kirwan. You will forever be missed!”

Kirwan recorded five albums with the band. His first on-stage appearance with the group was a performance of their hit single “Albatross.” Additionally, he released four albums of his own.

However, Kirwan was fired from Fleetwood Mac in 1972 due to his drinking problem. In time, he was faced with homelessness and other mental issues.

Fleetwood asked the Missing Person Bureau to locate Kirwan. Kirwan then sat for an interview on his whereabouts over that time period.

“I’ve been through a bit of a rough patch but I’m not too bad,” Kirwan told The Independent. “I get by and I suppose I am homeless, but then I’ve never really had a home since our early days on tour. I couldn’t handle it all mentally and I had to get out. I can’t settle.”

Just two years before Kirwan was fired, he and fellow guitarist Peter Green reportedly took LSD while on tour in Germany. According to other band members, there was a “powerful” ingredient in the LSD that changed their behavior for years to come.

No details on the cause of his death have been released.

The London native was divorced and survived by a son.