Stevie Nicks has expressed her sadness and surprise at reports that her former Fleetwood Mac alumnus Bob Welch died yesterday (June 7), calling the news “devastating.”

“I had many great times with him after Lindsey and I joined Fleetwood Mac,” the singer stated fondly.  “He was an amazing guitar player — he was funny, sweet — and he was smart. I am so very sorry for his family and for the family of Fleetwood Mac – so, so sad.”

Welch was found dead in his Nashville-area home, the result of what police are describing as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The guitarist was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1971 to 1975. When he departed to form the band Paris, Nicks and her musical partner Lindsey Buckingham were brought into Fleetwood Mac to take his place, resulting in the long-running group’s most commercially successful lineup.

Nicks later sang on the track ‘Devil Wind’ from Welch’s second post-Mac solo album, 1979′s ‘Three Hearts.’ Mick Fleetwood has also weighed in with his thoughts on Welch’s death.

Hear Bob Welch and Stevie Nicks Perform ‘Devil Wind’

More From 103.7 The Loon