Gary Rossington, the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away today at the age of 71.
No cause of death has been released. However, Rossington has had a long history of heart trouble and underwent bypass surgery back in 2021.
Rossington co-wrote several of Lynyrd Skynyrd's best known songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama", "Don't Ask Me No Questions", "What's Your Name" and "Simple Man". He also played lead guitar on "Tuesday's Gone" and slide guitar on "Free Bird".
In October 1977, Rossington was seriously injured in the plane crash which claimed the lives of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his older sister Cassie Gaines who was a backup vocalist with the group along with their road manager Dean Kilpatrick as well as the pilot and co-pilot. Rossington broke both his arms, wrists, legs as well as his pelvis.
As a result of the crash, Lynyrd Skynyrd would go on a decade long hiatus. During this period, Rossington and fellow Lynyrd Skynyrd member Allen Collins formed the short-lived Rossington Collins Band which released two albums in the early 1980's. Rossington would later form the Rossington Band with his wife Dale Krantz-Rossington before rejoining Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1991.
I leave you with a brief guitar solo from Rossington on "Tuesday's Gone". R.I.P.
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