Danny Kirwan, Former Fleetwood Mac Guitarist, Dead at 68

Danny Kirwan first appeared on Fleetwood Mac’s “Albatross” single. (RB / Redferns)

Danny Kirwin, who joined Fleetwood Mac in 1969 at just 18, but was fired from the rock band before its huge run of success in the 1970s, died in London Friday.

He was 68.

“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,” founding member Mick Fleetwood wrote on Facebook.

“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!”

The London-born guitarist joined the band for their British No. 1 single “Albatross” and went on to record five albums with the group, including the 1969 “Then Play On” (Peter Green’s last with Fleetwood Mac” and the 1970 “Kiln House” (Christine McVie’s first).

He was fired in 1972 during the “Bare Trees” tour as he battled alcoholism, then went on to record three solo albums during that decade, although none were successful.

Kirwan found himself homeless for a stretch in the ‘80s and ‘90s, which he called a “rough patch” during a rare interview in 1993.

“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,” he told The Independent.

He was one of the eight band members inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, but did not attend the ceremony.