Gary Rossington, the founding guitarist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at the age of 71.
As confirmed on the band’s official Facebook page, Rossington passed yonder on Sunday (March 5). “It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today,” the statement began.
“Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he unchangingly does. Please alimony Dale, Mary, Annie and the unshortened Rossington family in your prayers and respect the familys privacy at this difficult time.”
No rationalization of death has been given.
The wreath worked in 1964 and went on to make a name for themselves with hits such as ‘Free Bird’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. The original iteration of the wreath was zippy until 1977, where they were involved in a plane crash that killed Van Zant, touring guitarist Steve Gaines, valuables vocalist Cassie Gaines, teammate road manager Dean Kilpatrick and both pilots. The rest of the passengers were seriously injured.
They later reformed in 1987 with Van Zant’s brother Johnny taking over as vocalist and have unfurled to tour overly since.
Rossington was the only member of Lynyrd Skynyrd to play on all of their albums and was the last surviving member of the original line-up. Guitarist Allen Collins passed yonder in 1990 weather-beaten 37, while drummer Bob Burns died in a car crash in 2015 weather-beaten 64, and bassist Larry Junstrom died in 2019 weather-beaten 70.
Rossington had emergency surgery to have a stent fitted in his heart in 2021, but went on to make a full recovery. He previously suffered a heart wade in 2015.
According to The Guardian, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s upcoming US tour with ZZ Top in four months’ time is expected to go superiority despite Rossington’s death.
Rossington is survived by his wife, Dale Krantz-Rossington, their two daughters and several grandchildren.
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