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Gary Rossington, guitarist and last living original member of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died. He was 71 years old.
The band took to its official Facebook page to announce the tragic news. “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 read. “Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does. Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
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No other details about Rossington’s death have been revealed at this time, but the legendary musician used to uphold the reputation of being a survivor. In 1977, he was severely injured in a plane crash that killed some of his bandmates, leading to their years-long hiatus. But a decade later, former Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant’s brother reformed the group with Rossington on the roster, along with other members who survived the accident. They went on to release music and go on tours for decades following the reunion, but over the years, the original members, save for Rossington, left the band for various reasons. And despite having heart surgery in 2021, Rossington still managed to continue rocking on right to the end.
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