Former Fleetwood Mac and Savoy Brown bassist Bob Brunning has passed away as the result of a heart attack. The musician, teacher and author was 68 when he passed away on Oct. 18.

According to Vintage Vinyl News, Brunning was recruited by original Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green, who had just left John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. In truth, John McVie from the Bluesbreakers was first offered the job, and ended up accepting a few weeks later. But in the meantime, Brunning recorded the track 'Long Grey Mare' which ended up on the band's 1968 self-titled debut.

Brunning then briefly joined Savoy Brown before embarking on a three-decade long teaching career. He found time to perform in a number of bands over the years, including the Brunning Sunflower Blues Band and the De Luxe Blues Band. Brunning also wrote over a dozen books, including one on the history of his former band entitled 'Fleetwood Mac: Behind the Masks."

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