Remembering Gary Rossington: The Last Surviving Founding Member of Lynyrd Skynyrd Passes Away at 71

 Gary Rossington, a guitarist and songwriter, passed away on Sunday at the age of 71. He was the final surviving founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The reason of death was not revealed right away. Rossington had experienced significant health problems recently, including an emergency heart surgery in 2021, about twenty years after quintuple bypass surgery in 2003.

Lynyrd Skynyrd posted on their official Facebook page, "It is with our sincerest grief and sadness that we have to advise that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter, and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today. “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.

Some other informations about Gary Rossington

Gary Rossington is the last surviving original member of the iconic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was born on December 4, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida. Rossington is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history, known for his fiery solos and distinctive style that helped define the sound of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Rossington co-founded the band in 1964 with singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Allen Collins, bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns. Lynyrd Skynyrd gained national attention in the 1970s with their hits "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama," which showcased Rossington's guitar skills and helped establish the band's signature sound.

Rossington was also a prolific songwriter for the band, co-writing many of their most beloved songs, including "Tuesday's Gone," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Simple Man." His contributions to Lynyrd Skynyrd's music helped make them one of the most influential and beloved bands in rock history.

Tragedy struck the band in 1977, when a plane crash killed three members, including Ronnie Van Zant. Rossington was among the survivors of the crash, but suffered serious injuries that forced him to take a hiatus from music for several years.

In the years following the crash, Rossington continued to perform and record with Lynyrd Skynyrd, although the band experienced numerous lineup changes and periods of inactivity. He also collaborated with other musicians and released several solo albums, including "Rossington" in 1986 and "Take It on Faith" in 2018.

In 1987, Rossington reunited with surviving Lynyrd Skynyrd members for a tribute tour to their fallen bandmates. The tour was a massive success and led to the formation of a new incarnation of the band, which continues to perform and record to this day.

Despite his many accomplishments, Rossington has faced numerous health challenges in recent years, including heart surgery and a near-fatal heart attack in 2015. Nevertheless, he remains an active musician and continues to perform with Lynyrd Skynyrd, ensuring that the band's legacy and music will live on for generations to come.

In summary, Gary Rossington is the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band that helped define the sound of southern rock in the 1970s. He is a highly skilled guitarist and songwriter who contributed greatly to the band's success, and has continued to perform and record music throughout his career despite numerous health challenges. Rossington's enduring dedication to music and his bandmates has made him a beloved figure in the world of rock and roll.