NASHVILLE — Bob Welch, 65, a former member of Fleetwood Mac who went on to write songs and record several hits during a solo career, died Thursday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Mr. Welch was a guitarist and vocalist for Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1974. He had hits including “Sentimental Lady” in 1977 and “Ebony Eyes” in 1978. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie and Lindsey Buckingham did backup vocals on “Sentimental Lady.”
A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Welch, scored his biggest hit with “Sentimental Lady,” which reached number eight on the Billboard chart. His other singles included “Precious Love” in 1979 and “Hot Love, Cold World” in 1978.
Longtime Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks said Mr. Welch’s death hit her hard.
“The death of Bob Welch is devastating. . . . I had many great times with him after Lindsey and I joined Fleetwood Mac. He was an amazing guitar player — he was funny, sweet — and he was smart.”
Mr. Welch had his songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Sammy Hagar, the Pointer Sisters, and others.
In an interview with The Tennessean in 2003, Mr. Welch said he never dreamed he would be remembered for much.
“I just wanted to play guitar in a good band,” he said. “I wanted to make the music I love. I wanted to travel the world and have adventures.”
He had lived in Nashville since the 1990s.
Bart Herbison, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Association, quoted his wife, Wendy, as saying Mr. Welch had spinal surgery three months ago and doctors told him he would not get better, and he did not want her to have to care for an invalid.
The couple had no children. Funeral arrangements were incomplete.
The Boston Globe / June 09, 2012
