RIP: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington has died at the age of 71, the band said in a Facebook post. Pictured in April of 2019 in Indio, California

Gary Rossington dead at 71: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist who was the last surviving original member of star-crossed Sweet Home Alabama band passes away

Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington has died at the age of 71, the band said in a Facebook post. 

‘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 group said.

The statement continued: ‘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.’

It was not immediately clear what the musician’s cause of death was.

Gary Rossington initially met Ronnie Van Zant and Bob Burns when they were all teenagers playing baseball in Jacksonville, Florida, according to a biography on the band’s website. 

RIP: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington has died at the age of 71, the band said in a Facebook post. Pictured in April of 2019 in Indio, California

RIP: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington has died at the age of 71, the band said in a Facebook post. Pictured in April of 2019 in Indio, California 

The original Lynyrd Skynyrd was pictured in 1976. (L-R) Billy Powell, Allen Collins, Artimus Pyle, Leon Wilkeson, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Gary Rossington

The original Lynyrd Skynyrd was pictured in 1976. (L-R) Billy Powell, Allen Collins, Artimus Pyle, Leon Wilkeson, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Gary Rossington 

‘An impromptu afternoon jam session in the carport of Burns’ parents’ house inspired the trio to form a band,’ the bio continued. ‘Before long, guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Larry Junstrom were added to the mix, and the band began entertaining Jacksonville audiences – first as My Backyard, then as The Noble Five, then as The One Percent, before finally arriving on the name Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969.’

Rossington in 2019 became the last surviving original member of the group when Junstrom died at the age of 70 in October of 2019.

The iconic rock band, who had stalwart tracks such as Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird, Simple Man and Tuesday’s Gone.

The band is closely associated with the tragic 1977 plane in which Van Zant and bandmate Steve Gaines, as well as Gaines’ sister Cassie Gaines; the group’s road manager Dean Kilpatrick; and both of the pilots.

The band did not play together for a decade in the wake of the October 20, 1977 tragedy.

The band has a number of tour dates on tap in the forthcoming months, and it was not immediately clear how Rossington’s death would impact their future.

They have a show slated for March 12 in Plant City, Florida, and are also slated to join fellow rock icons ZZ Top on their The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour this July.

Rossington was seen playing in November of 2012 in the Classic Rock Roll of Honour at the Roundhouse in London

Rossington was seen playing in November of 2012 in the Classic Rock Roll of Honour at the Roundhouse in London 

Rossington was seen onstage at The Bottom Line on April 11, 1976 in New York City

Rossington was seen onstage at The Bottom Line on April 11, 1976 in New York City 

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