Fleetwood Mac - Former Fleetwood Mac Star Bob Welch Found Dead

The singer/guitarist reportedly took his own life by shooting himself in the chest. His remains were found by his wife at the couple's home in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday (07Jun12).

Police spokesman Don Aaron has confirmed the bullet wound was self-inflicted and a suicide note was found near the body.

Welch joined Fleetwood Mac in 1971 following the departure of founder Peter Green and is credited with helping the band develop a more melodic sound on albums like Future Games, Bare Trees and Mystery to Me.

He quit in 1974 and went on form short-lived rock group Paris in 1976, before going solo with the album French Kiss, which featured hits like Ebony Eyes and Sentimental Lady. The latter track included backing vocals by his former Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine MCVie and Lindsey Buckingham, who became his replacement in the group.

Ironically, he didn't completely cut ties with Fleetwood Mac founder and drummer Mick Fleetwood, who served as Welch's manager for almost a decade.

He was famously snubbed when Fleetwood Mac were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, and he admitted he was deeply hurt when founding members Fleetwood and John MCVie opted not to include him in the tribute.

The guitarist battled heroin addiction in the 1980s, and is said to have suffered from health issues in recent months.