Fleetwood Mac Guitarist Found Dead

Bob Welch, who was guitarist in an early incarnation of enormously successful rock group Fleetwood Mac, as well as a highly successful solo artist, has been found dead in his home with a shotgun wound to his chest. The 66-year-old Welch was found by his wife Wendy in his Nashville home on Thursday, local time. A suicide note was also found at the scene.

Speaking to Reuters, Fleetwood Mac founding member and Welch's former manager Mick Fleetwood called Welch's death “shocking” and acknowledged what an enormous role he played in the band's development.

"He was a very, very profoundly intelligent human being and always in good humor, which is why this is so unbelievably shocking," he said.

"He was a huge part of our history which sometimes gets forgotten ... mostly his legacy would be his songwriting abilities that he brought to Fleetwood Mac, which will survive all of us," Fleetwood told the news service today.

"If you look into our musical history, you'll see a huge period that was completely ensconced in Bob's work."

Welch joined Fleetwood Mac after Peter Green and Jeremy Spencer left the band in 1971 and stayed with the band until 1975, a year before they found their greatest commercial success.

Though Welch enjoyed success of his own, with his 1977 album French Kiss achieving platinum sales status in the US, thanks to big singles such as Ebony Eyes and Sentimental Lady.

It is reported that Welch had been suffering from medical problems, information of which are not being divulged.

The following 24-hour HELPLINES for crisis counselling are available for those who seek help.

Lifeline - 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467
MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged 5 to 25 years)
ReachOut (online support for young people)