Peter Green dead: Johnny Marr leads tributes as Fleetwood Mac co-founder dies at 73

Tributes have poured in for Peter Green after the Fleetwood Mac co-founder died at 73.

The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr shared a black and white photograph of Peter performing, penning: "R.I.P Peter Green. A unique artist and a beautiful guitar player."

Peter Frampton tweeted: "Most sadly have lost one of the most tasteful guitar players ever I have always been a huge admirer of the great Peter Green may he rest in peace."

Whitesnake's David Coverdale said Green was an artist he "truly loved and admired."

In a tweet, he wrote: "An Artist I Truly Loved & Admired...From The First Time I Heard Him...I Supported The Original Fleetwood Mac At Redcar Jazz Club When I Was In A Local Band...He Was A Breathtaking Singer, Guitarist & Composer... I know Who I Will Be Listening To Today...RIP".

Peter's death at the age of 73 has sent waves through the music business (Getty Images)

Bernie Marsden, also of Whitesnake fame, penned a lengthy social media tribute to his "hero" Peter, and admitted he was having trouble expressing himself after the news broke.

Cat Stevens - real name Yusuf Islam - described Peter as an "unsung hero of musical intergrity" and commended his "innovation and spirit."

Film director Edgar Wright tweeted: "RIP Fleetwood Mac co founder and original lead singer Peter Green. What a belter this is. 'Oh Well' (Live 1969)'."

The Smiths guitarist Johnny led the tributes (REUTERS)

Peter Frampton said he was a 'great admirer' of Peter's (Getty)

Novelist Linda Grant paid tribute to the Fleetwood Mac founder on Twitter writing: "I'm so sorry to learn of the death of Peter Green aged only 73. He had so much soul. I loved him."

Mumford & Sons guitarist Winston Marshall thanked Peter "for the music" and referenced one of Fleetwood Mac's biggest hits, Albatross - which Peter composed.

Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler described Peter as "one of the greats", while actor David Morrissey called him "not just one of our greatest guitarists but also a man with a fantastic soulful voice."

Midge Ure called him 'one of the greats' (REX)

Cat described Peter as an 'unsung hero' (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Musician Midge Ure tweeted: "One of the great ones gone. You taught me well. Supernatural Man of the World Albatross Oh Well."

Guns N Roses guitarist Slash shared a series of snaps of Peter and wrote: "RIP."

Kiss member Paul Stanley put Peter in the same class as legends Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page.

Peter's solicitors today confirmed his death.

Their statement read: "It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep.

"A further statement will be provided in the coming days."