Green, who is best known for writing "Black Magic Woman," was one of the few tragic figures in rock and roll to actually survive battles his with drug addiction and mental illness.

But the challenges of the '60s and '70s took its toll, as Green almost completely withdrew from music and public live after leaving Fleetwood Mac. He took menial jobs and refused to accept royalties into the early-'90s.

Despite his attempts to put his past behind him, he was revered by the likes of B.B. King and Eric Clapton. His uniquely-voiced 1959 Gibson Les Paul "Greeny" — which now belongs to Metallica's Kirk Hammett — is reportedly worth millions.

Mick Fleetwood told Rolling Stone that losing Green was "monumental."

"No one has ever stepped into the ranks of Fleetwood Mac without a reverence for Peter Green and his talent, and to the fact that music should shine bright and always be delivered with uncompromising passions!!," he added in a statement.

Peter Frampton called Green "one of the most tasteful guitar players ever." Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler added that Green was "one of the greats."

David Coverdale recalled playing a gig in a local band supporting Fleetwood Mac in the '60s. He wrote that Green was a "breathtaking singer, guitarist and composer" and an artist he "truly loved and admired."

Kiss's Paul Stanley added that Green was one of the four greatest guitarist to ever come out of England. While Living Colour's Vernon Reid noted that Green is a "perennial guitar topic...a guitarist's guitarist" and an "unsung giant of the art of blues rock."

Having owned Green's iconic Les Paul since 2014, Hammett finally got to meet the legend this past winter. He documented the reunion between Green and "Greeny" and even recorded with the Fleetwood Mac founder at Abbey Road studios.

The project was slated to be released this year.

Maria Milito