06.07.12
Bob Welch
From 1971 to 74 Bob Welch played lead guitar for Fleetwood Mac. After being dismissed in the turnover that brought in Buckingham/Nicks, the band quickly attained multi-platinum success. That must have smarted.
Welch subsequently put together Paris, a power trio that recorded two obscure and unsuccessful albums. The debut was Welch’s bit take on Led Zeppelin heavy mysticism and it is an enjoyable listen, particularly if you’re a fan of unsuccessful Seventies hard rock barrel-scrapers. Like me.
After Paris disbanded Welch returned to pop as a solo act and met with chart success.
I liked these records, too. Welch combined a supple hard rock style that worked superbly on his solo albums. Although his famous single solo work came as the Seventies closed, Welch was quintessentially Eighties, confirmed by the live bits where he is joined onstage by Stevie Nicks.
Dead by suicide, according to the wire. Regrettably, death by one’s own hand seems to be a slight trend among classic rock lead guitarists this year.