Police: Musician Bob Welch kills self | CNN

Police: Musician Bob Welch kills self

Alan Duke, CNN
1 minute read
Updated 12:55 PM EDT, Fri June 8, 2012
Stevie Nicks, seen here receiving the BMI Icon Award at the BMI Pop Awards in May, is also a new cast member of NBC's "The Voice." But before she was on "The Voice's" team, she was a rocking member of Fleetwood Mac:
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Stevie Nicks, seen here receiving the BMI Icon Award at the BMI Pop Awards in May, is also a new cast member of NBC's "The Voice." But before she was on "The Voice's" team, she was a rocking member of Fleetwood Mac:
Kevin Winter/Getty Images/File
British-American band Fleetwood Mac formed in 1967. John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Bob Welch and Christine McVie pose in front of the Hollywood sign circa 1970.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
British-American band Fleetwood Mac formed in 1967. John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Bob Welch and Christine McVie pose in front of the Hollywood sign circa 1970.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Christine McVie performs onstage with Fleetwood Mac in 1971.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Christine McVie performs onstage with Fleetwood Mac in 1971.
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
American Bob Welch plays at Sundown in 1972. Welch joined the band in 1971 before launching a solo career. On June 7, 2012, Welch died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. He was 66.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
American Bob Welch plays at Sundown in 1972. Welch joined the band in 1971 before launching a solo career. On June 7, 2012, Welch died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. He was 66.
Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images
John McVie, from left, Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood, Jeremy Spencer and Peter Green pose in 1969.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
John McVie, from left, Danny Kirwan, Mick Fleetwood, Jeremy Spencer and Peter Green pose in 1969.
RB/Redferns/Getty Images
Singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks performs onstage. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Singer/songwriter Stevie Nicks performs onstage. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1974 with her then-boyfriend Lindsey Buckingham.
Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images
British drummer Mick Fleetwood is the only original member left in the band. (Though the band's name is derived in part from his, bassist John McVie didn't join the band until shortly after it was formed).
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
British drummer Mick Fleetwood is the only original member left in the band. (Though the band's name is derived in part from his, bassist John McVie didn't join the band until shortly after it was formed).
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Lindsey Buckingham plays during on the 2009 "Unleashed" Fleetwood Mac tour. Buckingham was the lead singer from 1975 to 1987, and form 1997 to present day.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Lindsey Buckingham plays during on the 2009 "Unleashed" Fleetwood Mac tour. Buckingham was the lead singer from 1975 to 1987, and form 1997 to present day.
Jim Dyson/Getty Images
Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood perform at Wembley Arena in 2009.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Stevie Nicks and Mick Fleetwood perform at Wembley Arena in 2009.
Roberta Parkin/Redferns/Getty Images
In London, Fleetwood Mac perform together in 1998.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
In London, Fleetwood Mac perform together in 1998.
Mick Hutson/Redferns/Getty Images
Buckingham performs in 1980 in the Netherlands.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Buckingham performs in 1980 in the Netherlands.
Rob Verhorst/Redferns/Getty Images
Nicks sings in concert in 1978.
Fleetwood Mac through the years —
Nicks sings in concert in 1978.
Richard E. Aaron/Redferns/Getty Images
Photos: Fleetwood Mac through the years

Story highlights

NEW: Welch's death is "devastating" and "so,so sad," Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks says

Welch's wife found his body in their Nashville home Thursday afternoon, police say

"All indications are that it was a suicide," a police spokesman says

Welch played guitar with Fleetwood Mac from 1971 until late 1974

CNN  — 

Bob Welch, a guitarist who played with Fleetwood Mac before launching a solo career, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest, Nashville, Tennessee, police said Thursday. He was 66.

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Welch’s wife found his body in their Nashville home about 12:15 p.m., Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Bob Welch played guitar with Fleetwood Mac starting from 1971 to 1974.
Bob Welch played guitar with Fleetwood Mac starting from 1971 to 1974.
Neal Preston/CORBIS

“All indications are that it was a suicide,” Aaron said. A suicide note was found, he said.

Welch played guitar with Fleetwood Mac starting in 1971. He left the group in late 1974, just before Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks joined the group.

Nicks said in a statement that Welch’s death was “devastating.”

“I had many great times with him after Lindsey and I joined Fleetwood Mac,” singer Nicks said. “He was an amazing guitar player – he was funny, sweet – and he was smart.

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“I am so very sorry for his family and for the family of Fleetwood Mac – so,so sad,” Nicks said.

Welch’s biggest hits, “Sentimental Lady” and “Ebony Eyes” came from his debut solo album “French Kiss,” released in November 1977.

CNN’s Douglas Hyde and Michael Martinez contributed to this report.