Posted on 03/05/2023 10:13:10 PM PST by DoodleBob
Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last surviving original member who also helped to found the group, died Sunday at the age of 71. No cause of death was given.
“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 wrote 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 cheated death more than once, Rolling Stone reported. He survived a car accident in 1976 in which he drove his Ford Torino into a tree, inspiring the band’s cautionary song “That Smell.” A year later, he emerged from the 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, with two broken arms, a broken leg, and a punctured stomach and liver.
“It was a devastating thing,” he told Rolling Stone in 2006. “You can’t just talk about it real casual and not have feelings about it.”
In later years, Rossington underwent quintuple bypass surgery in 2003, suffered a heart attack in 2015, and had numerous subsequent heart surgeries, most recently leaving Lynyrd Skynyrd in July 2021 to recover from another procedure. At recent shows, Rossington would perform portions of the concert and sometimes sat out full gigs.
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Blame the vax in 3..2…1..
Rode hard and put up wet.
That was a hard 71.
Wow, we’re the same age. But I ain’t done yet and his music will live on.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Song list
Ain’t No Good Life (1977)
All I Can Do Is Write About It (1976)
Am I Losin’ (1975)
Call Me The Breeze (1974)
Cry For The Bad Man (1976)
Don’t Ask Me No Questions (1974)
Four Walls Of Raiford (1987)
Free Bird (1973)
Gifted Hands (2009)
Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
Gimme Three Steps (1973)
God & Guns (2009)
Homegrown (2012)
I Know A Little (1977)
I Never Dreamed (1977)
Last Of A Dyin’ Breed (2012)
Last Of The Street Survivors (2020)
Mississippi Blood (2012)
Mr. Banker (1987)
One Day at a Time (2012)
Poison Whiskey (1973)
Red White and Blue (Love it or Leave) (2003)
Saturday Night Special (1975)
Simple Man (1973)
Skynyrd Nation (2009)
Still Unbroken (2009)
Storm (2009)
Sweet Home Alabama (1974)
That Smell (1977)
The Ballad Of Curtis Loew (1974)
The Needle And The Spoon (1974)
Things Goin’ On (1973)
Tomorrow’s Goodbye (1999)
Travelin’ Man (1997)
Tuesday’s Gone (1973)
Was I Right Or Wrong (1978)
What’s Your Name (1977)
Whiskey Rock-A-Roller (1975)
Workin’ (1999)
Workin’ For MCA (1974)
You Got That Right (1977)
I said “Excuse me”
RIP buddy.
I saw them in Milwaukee in 1975, and my ears are still ringing!
A wonderful list. Thank you.
In the 90’s I was at a Neil Young show in Atlanta when the inevitable for the era cry for “FREEBIRD!” came from someone in the crowd between songs. Loudly enough and often enough that Neil finally addressed it by giving the guy some poo, in which he said “Those guys are dead!”
A shout came from down front “No I’m not!”
Rossington was in the audience! He and Neil (from the stage) chatted briefly, then the show resumed. But it was a really funny moment.
They’ll probably make some contrived story of how a bunch of session players have a connection with the original band, and the little brother will have them on tour again next summer.
Great band. Loved them, Outlaws and Atlanta Rhythm Section back in the day.
Skynyrd ping.
I used to shout “Freebird!” at metal and punk concerts to have a little fun. I’ll have to resurrect that again at upcoming gigs if the timing and mood are right for it.
Well dang.
Saw them in concert when they opened for The Who in Largo MD. the Cap Center.
Angels from heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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