Gary Rossington, the last surviving founding member of the American music group Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away at the age of 71.

Also Read| Who is hosting The Oscars 2023?

He co-wrote the 1974 hit song Sweet Home Alabama.

“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,” the band’s Facebook account stated. Rossington had been performing up until February despite having cardiac issues in recent years.

Who was Gary Rossington?

Born on December 4, 1951 Gary Robert Rossington was an American musician and songwriter. He was the final original member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, where he played lead and rhythm guitar. In addition, Rossington and his old bandmate Allen Collins were among the founding members of the Rossington Collins Band.

Rossington was born in the city of Jacksonville, Florida. His mother remembered that he developed a keen interest in baseball as a youngster and harboured dreams of joining the New York Yankees. Rossington remembered that he was a “good ball player,” but that his interest in baseball was eventually abandoned after hearing the Rolling Stones in his early teens.

Also Read| Who is Kevin Maginnis? Tennessee grandfather embarks on 100-day McDonalds-only diet

Rossington’s passion for baseball was a factor in the band Lynyrd Skynyrd being created in the summer of 1964. He met Bob Burns, Ronnie Van Zant, and other players while competing for rival baseball teams in Jacksonville, and the group agreed to get together one afternoon after Burns was hurt by a ball hit by Van Zant. The Rolling Stones’ “Time Is on My Side” was played as they set up shop in the garage of Burns’ parents’ home. As soon as they heard it, they determined they liked it and would start a band.

The band originally went by the name The Noble Five (with guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Larry Junstrom), but subsequently changed its name to The One Percent before settling on Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969.

The October 20, 1977 plane accident near McComb, Mississippi, that killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and three other people left 20 survivors, including Rossington. Rossington remembers hearing what sounded like hundreds of baseball bats hitting the plane’s fuselage as it started hitting trees as the passengers prepared for impact. Rossington was struck out by the noise, which grew louder and louder until he lost consciousness. He later came to while lying on the ground with the plane’s door on top of him. A few days later, Rossington’s mother told him in the infirmary that Van Zant and the others had perished.

Also Read| Oscars 2023: What is Angela Bassett nominated for?

Rossington performed on stage once more after breaking his pelvis, both arms, both legs, both wrists, and both ankles.

Rossington married Dale Krantz-Rossington in 1982 and they have two daughters.

Rossington suffered a heart attack on October 8, 2015, necessitating the cancellation of two Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts.