Gary Rossington, founding Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist, dead at 71

Gary Rossington, the guitarist for legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at 71. The group posted a statement confirming Rossington’s death on its verified Facebook account. Rossington was the last surviving original Lynyrd Skynyrd member.

“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 stated on Facebook. “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 badly injured in the infamous 1977 plane crash that killed four members of the legendary Southern rock band including frontman Ronnie Van Zant. The guitarist broke both of his legs, arms, ankles, and his pelvis. He rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd when Van Zant’s brother Johnny reformed the group in 1987, and the band had been recording and touring ever since.