Jania Ashlynn
The last living original member of the iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington, has passed away at the age of 71.
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His cause of death has not been released, but over the years, Rossington has suffered from a variety of heart-related issues. He had a heart attack in 2015 and had a heart procedure in 2019.
A Life Lived
The guitarist was the creative mind behind songs like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Freebird.”
Some of the current members of Skynyrd posted a tribute to the late musician. “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. 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.”
The news of the guitarist’s death comes just five months before the band was set to launch their The Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour with ZZ top.
Survivor
Rossington had overcome some harrowing things in his life. He survived a plane crash over Mississippi in October 1977. It killed three of his bandmates: his sister and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, and guitarist Steve Gaines.
The band’s assistant road manager, Dean Kilpatrick, was one of three other passengers that lost their lives.
He shattered the bones in his legs, arms, and pelvis, but he survived the incident.
The band began in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The original members met when they were rivals on summer league baseball teams. They met Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom soon after. They went through a short arsenal of band names until they started performing under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
