Performing in front of one’s idols can be a daunting experience for any artist. Even the most revered guitarists, like David Gilmour, admit to feeling nervous when paying tribute to their heroes. For Gilmour, that hero was Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, whose original incarnation diverged significantly from the pop-rock sound of the later band famous for Rumours. While the rhythm section of John McVie and Mick Fleetwood remained, the music under Green’s leadership resonated deeply with the blues movement of the time.
After Green’s departure, Fleetwood Mac opened the door to new influences with Bob Welch and Christine McVie stepping in, eventually leading to the iconic duo of Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. Although Green faded into the background for many years, his extraordinary guitar talent had a lasting impact on rock music.
He possessed an uncanny ability to extract raw emotion from his guitar, often making it sound as if it were weeping. This profound artistry earned him accolades, including recognition from The Beatles. George Harrison even revealed that the Beatles started writing “Sun King” inspired by Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross.”
Though Green passed away in 2020, many British musicians continue to celebrate his genius. Gilmour, in particular, expressed immense admiration for Green’s work. However, Mick Fleetwood recalled that Gilmour initially hesitated to perform Green’s songs, feeling overwhelmed by their beauty.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Fleetwood shared Gilmour’s thoughts: “He had so much reverence for Peter Green’s playing and who Peter was… He was like, ‘I don’t know if I can interpret Peter’s work. It’s so amazing. Maybe I can’t do that.’”
Ultimately, Gilmour did honor Green by performing “Albatross,” but it wasn’t just nerves that held him back. Green struggled with mental health issues after leaving Fleetwood Mac, drawing parallels to Pink Floyd’s Syd Barrett, who faced similar challenges in the 1960s.
Gilmour’s connection to Green runs deeper than admiration; half of his signature sound seems influenced by Green’s style. While Gilmour’s playing is uniquely his own, one can hear echoes of Green’s sustain and phrasing in classics like The Dark Side of the Moon.
Though Green is no longer here to share his magic, his legacy lives on in every blues-influenced guitarist who followed. Gilmour may have learned from Green, but as artists draw from a rich tapestry of influences, they inevitably create something original and new.
