Danny Kirwan, a Fleetwood Mac guitarist who appeared on five of their albums, died Friday in London. He was 68.
“Today was greeted by the sad news of the passing of Danny Kirwan in London, England,” Mick Fleetwood, one of the band’s founders, wrote in a Facebook post Friday. “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. 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 joined Fleetwood Mac when he was 18. At that time, band members included Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The guitarist contributed his instrumental, vocal and songwriting talents to several albums, including 1969’s “Then Play On,” 1970’s “Kiln House” and 1971’s “Future Games.” However, he was fired by the band in 1972 soon after the release of the album “Bare Trees.”