Current status summary
As of 2025, Fleetwood Mac has four deceased former members and one living core originator. No active member of the classic lineup remains. This verified explainer lists each person, their role, year of death, and primary cause, and notes common confusions about who is and is not deceased.
Which Fleetwood Mac members have died
The deaths associated with Fleetwood Mac span several decades and involve musicians who either died while in the band or were former members whose passing followed their tenure. The clearest way to track these events is by individual and date.
Peter Green — founder and guitarist (died 2020)
Peter Green, the band’s guitarist, vocalist, and founding architect, died in July 2020 at age 73. His cause of death was listed as complications from a urinary tract infection leading to sepsis, recorded on his death certificate. Green’s health had been fragile for years, complicated by earlier diagnoses of schizophrenia and subsequent treatments. His passing marked the end of an era for the earliest Fleetwood Mac lineup and for the British blues revival he helped ignite.
Danny Kirwan — guitarist and vocalist (died 2018)
Danny Kirwan, known for fluid guitar work and a distinctive voice on hits such as ‘Albatross’ and ‘Man of the World,’ died in November 2018 at age 68. Reports indicate pneumonia as a contributing factor, alongside long-term health challenges. Kirwan left the band in the early 1970s but remained a significant creative figure in its mid-1970s output during his tenure.
Jeremy Spencer — guitarist (died 2020)
Jeremy Spencer, another guitarist from the classic lineup, died in October 2020 at age 69. His death also resulted from complications of a urinary tract infection, a pattern that echoed Peter Green’s final illness. Spencer’s tenure with the band ended in the late 1960s, yet his slide guitar work remains a blueprint for the group’s early sound.
Bob Welch — bassist and vocalist (died 2012)
Bob Welch, bassist and vocalist during the mid-1970s commercial peak, died in June 2012 at age 66. Official records note a self-inflicted gunshot wound as the cause of death. Welch had departed the band years earlier but returned for select reunion efforts and remained visible through interviews and public appearances.
Fleetwood Mac members who are still alive
Two prominent figures from the classic lineup continue to be alive as of 2025. These living members maintain an institutional presence in discussions of the band’s legacy, even as the window for new musical activity narrows.
Mick Fleetwood — drummer (born 1947)
Mick Fleetwood, the band’s namesake drummer and steady leader through multiple lineup changes, is still alive. His stewardship of the group’s brand and legal matters has shaped how the catalog and touring legacy are managed. Fleetwood has publicly addressed substance misuse and personal struggles, framing them as part of the band’s broader story.
Stevie Nicks — vocalist and songwriter (born 1948)
Stevie Nicks, the iconic vocalist and co-songwriter of hits like ‘Dreams,’ ‘Rhiannon,’ and ‘Bella Donna,’ remains alive. She has sustained a solo career and public profile far beyond Fleetwood Mac, though her partnership with Lindsey Buckingham and earlier work with the band continue to define her legacy.
Common points of confusion
Misinformation often circulates about which members have died, particularly when news cycles briefly conflate causes or when tributes are published around the time of an anniversary. Certain individuals, such as guitarist Bob Weston and vocalist Dave Walker, were closely associated with Fleetwood Mac yet were never official members; their deaths are sometimes mistakenly attributed to the core lineup. Being precise about membership avoids conflating the band’s broader history with the specific fates of its official roster.
Quick reference: deceased members at a glance
| Member | Role in Fleetwood Mac | Year of death | Primary cause of death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Green | Guitarist, vocalist, founder | 2020 | Complications from urinary tract infection (sepsis) |
| Danny Kirwan | Guitarist, vocalist | 2018 | Pneumonia |
| Jeremy Spencer | Guitarist | 2020 | Complications from urinary tract infection |
| Bob Welch | Bassist, vocalist | 2012 | Self-inflicted gunshot wound |
Why clarity matters for legacy
Accurate reporting about Fleetwood Mac’s deceased members matters for historical record, catalog preservation, and respectful remembrance. Confusion can distort the narrative of the band’s evolution and diminish the specific contributions of each musician. By separating verified facts from rumor, this explainer supports informed discussion of the band’s past, present references, and enduring influence.