Bob Welch (Photo: Associated Press)
Former Fleetwood Mac band member Bob Welch was found dead Thursday of an apparent suicide, according to police.
Welch was discovered by his wife at around 12:15 p.m. in his Nashville home with a gunshot wound to the chest. A police spokesman said that the musician had had health issues recently, and left a suicide note.
The Associated Press reported that his wife Wendy said that the 66-year-old had recently had spinal surgery and was told he would not recover, so he did not want her to have to care for an invalid. The two had no children.
Welch was a guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. The band became popular shortly after his departure. In 1994 he sued the group for unpaid royalties, and in turn was not invited to Fleetwood Mac’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1998.
In 1976, Welch formed the British rock group Paris. His popular singles included “Ebony Eyes,” “Precious Love,” “Hot Love, Cold World,” and his biggest hit, “Sentimental Lady.” As a songwriter, he had songs recorded by the Pointer Sisters, Sammy Hagar and Kenny Rogers, among others.
Welch isn’t the first former Fleetwood Mac band member to die this year. In January former guitarist Bob Weston died from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
With Associated Press
