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Gary Rossington, founding member and guitarist of the iconic Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has died. He was 71.
“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 band posted on Facebook.
The band announced his death Sunday and no cause was revealed.
“Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does,” the band wrote, asking for fans to keep Rossington’s family in their prayers.
He was the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd and leaves behind his wife, Dale Krantz, and two daughters.
Rossington was born on Dec. 4, 1951, in Jacksonville, Fla., and was raised by a single mother after his father died after he was born.
In 1964, Rossington met drummer Bob Burns and bassist Larry Junstorm, and the trio hit it off over their love of music and baseball.
That same year, during a Little League baseball game, singer Ronnie Van Zant hit a line drive into the shoulder of Burns, and the initial spark of the world-renowned band was born, Rolling Stone reported.
