Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist And Founding Member Gary Rossington Dies Aged 71
Monday, 06 March 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Gary Rossington, guitarist, songwriter, and the last surviving founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at the age of 71.
The legendary Florida rock band broke the news with a statement, confirming that Rossington (pictured sitting) passed away on Sunday (March 5). No cause of death was given, though Rossington had dealt with health issues in recent years, including emergency heart surgery in 2021. The band wrote on its official Facebook page:
"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."
Rossington was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 4, 1951. In 1964, he co-founded a group called My Backyard alongside vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, fellow guitarist Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom and drummer Bob Burns. In 1969, they became Lynyrd Skynyrd, named after Rossington's high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner.
Rossington was one of 20 passengers who survived an October 1977 plane crash in Mississippi, that killed Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backing singer Cassie Gaines, and several members of their road and flight crews. He reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd a decade later with Ronnie's brother Johnny as lead vocalist, and the band have remained active ever since.
Rossington performed on all 14 of their studio albums, contributing guitar to iconic songs such as Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama and Simple Man. At recent shows, Rossington would appear for parts of the concert, but sometimes sat out full gigs.
Lynyrd Skynyrd are due to co-headline The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour of North America with ZZ Top in the summer.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sun March 12 2023 - PLANT CITY Florida - Florida Strawberry Festival Grounds (USA)
Sat April 29 2023 - BRANDON Mississippi - Brandon Amphitheater (USA)
Sat May 20 2023 - CLEVELAND Ohio - Jacobs Pavilion (USA)
Sat May 27 2023 - LAUGHLIN Nevada - Laughlin Event Center (USA)
Sat July 15 2023 - WEST FARGO North Dakota - Red River Valley Fair Association (USA)
Fri July 21 2023 - WEST PALM BEACH Florida - iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre (USA)
Sun July 23 2023 - ALPHARETTA Georgia - Ameris Bank Amphitheatre (USA)
Fri July 28 2023 - ROGERS Arkansas - Walmart AMP (USA)
Sat July 29 2023 - FORT WORTH Texas - Dickies Arena (USA)
Sun July 30 2023 - THE WOODLANDS Texas - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman (USA)
Mon August 07 2023 - DENVER - Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre (USA)
Thu August 10 2023 - MOUNTAIN VIEW California - Shoreline Amphitheatre (USA)
Fri August 11 2023 - WHEATLAND California - Toyota Amphitheatre (USA)
Sun August 13 2023 - PHOENIX Arizona - Ak Chin Pavilion (USA)
Thu August 17 2023 - MARYLAND HEIGHTS Missouri - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (USA)
Sat August 19 2023 - TINLEY PARK Illinois - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (USA)
Sun August 20 2023 - NOBLESVILLE Indiana - Ruoff Music Center (USA)
Fri August 25 2023 - CINCINNATI Ohio - Riverbend Music Center (USA)
Sat August 26 2023 - CLARKSTON Michigan - Pine Knob Music Theatre (USA)
Sun August 27 2023 - TORONTO Ontario - Budweiser Stage (Canada)
Fri September 01 2023 - CHARLOTTE North Carolina - PNC Music Pavilion (USA)
Sat September 02 2023 - COLUMBIA Maryland - Merriweather Post Pavilion (USA)
Sun September 03 2023 - BURGETTSTOWN Pennsylvania - Pavilion At Star Lake (USA)
Fri September 08 2023 - SARATOGA SPRINGS New York - Saratoga Performing Arts Center (USA)
Sat September 09 2023 - HERSHEY Pennsylvania - Hersheypark Stadium (USA)
Sun September 10 2023 - HOLMDEL New Jersey - PNC Bank Arts Center (USA)
Fri September 15 2023 - RALEIGH North Carolina - Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek (USA)
Sun September 17 2023 - CAMDEN New Jersey - Freedom Mortgage Pavilion (USA)
Fri September 29 2023 - HOLLYWOOD Florida - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood (USA)
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