The forgotten hero who helped shape the early sound of Fleetwood Mac
In short: Before the band became global superstars, guitarist Danny Kirwan was a creative force that Mick Fleetwood described as a quantum leap ahead of the group. Despite his immense talent, he was fired in 1972 and spent much of his later life battling mental illness and homelessness.
Danny Kirwan joined Fleetwood Mac in 1968 at the age of 18, contributing to five of their early albums, including 1969's Then Play On and 1971's Future Games. His intricate playing style, which included a subtle tremolo effect, helped define the band's initial bluesy sound. Mick Fleetwood later characterized him as a 'lost component' of the group's foundation. He was born Daniel David Langran and was heavily influenced by the playing of Eric Clapton. His unique musical approach often utilised a subtle tremolo effect.
His departure from the band in 1972 was reportedly sparked by a heated dispute with bandmate Bob Welch regarding guitar tuning before a performance. Following this incident, Kirwan allegedly smashed his guitar and refused to take the stage. Although his time with the band concluded here, he received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Fleetwood Mac in 1998. This conflict occurred just before a scheduled gig. He was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame, though he did not attend the ceremony.
The years following his exit were marked by significant personal struggle. Kirwan released solo material through DJM Records between 1975 and 1979, but he also faced battles with alcoholism and mental illness. By 1993, he was discovered living in a London homeless shelter, having been functionally homeless for approximately four years. Despite these hardships, Kirwan expressed little bitterness toward his former colleagues, stating he felt lucky to have played for the band. He had previously been tracked down by The Independent and the Missing Persons Bureau. This discovery occurred after Mick Fleetwood had made inquiries about his welfare.
Kirwan passed away in London on June 8, 2018, at the age of 68. His legacy remains tied to the musical foundation he helped build, a contribution that has endured for over fifty years. His death was officially announced by Mick Fleetwood via Facebook. No specific cause of death was provided at the time.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Fleetwood Mac's 'Forgotten Hero,' Guitarist Danny Kirwan, Has Died
- Also: Danny Kirwan
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-danny-kirwan.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in US culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
