A former guitarist and vocalist for the band Fleetwood Mac, Bob Welch, was found dead at his home in South Nashville yesterday.

According to reports, Welch was found by his wife around 12:15 pm. He died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest.

According to police, Bob Welsh, age 65, has been suffering with health related issues, left a suicide note. Police say that they are treating his death as a suicide and say no foul play was involved.

Bart Herbison, executive director of the Nashville Songwriters Association, quoted his wife Wendy as saying Welch had spinal surgery three months ago and doctors told him he would not get better, and he did not want her to have to care for an invalid.

Longtime Fleetwod Mac singer, Stevie Nicks told reporters, “The death of Bob Welch is devastating … I had many great times with him after Lindsey and I joined Fleetwood Mac. He was an amazing guitar player – he was funny, sweet – and he was smart.”

Although Fleetwood Mac didn’t skyrocket to fame until after Welsh was gone from the band, it was Welsh’s early contributions that led to the sound that later made the band so successful. Welch played for the band from 1971 to 1974, during which time the band released five early albums.

Welch was excluded from the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998 because of an earlier falling out with the group after he filed suit against them in 1994.

Although he worked as a songwriter and his songs were recorded by Sammy Hagar, the Pointer Sisters and Kenny Rogers among others, Bob Welch is best known for his solo song “Ebony Eyes.”