American guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington died Sunday at the age of 71, extinguishing the last living flame of rock group founders Lynyrd Skyrd.
The news was posted by the band on their official Facebook account. “It is with great sadness that we have to report the loss of our brother, friend, member, songwriter and guitarist Gary Rossington today. [domingo]language reads mail. “Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in the sky, playing as beautifully as he always does,” the group says. The magazine says that the cause of death was not disclosed, although it was known that he was suffering from several health problems, including heart problems. Hollywood Reporter.
the magazine Rolling Stone Details that he had a heart attack in 2015 after he underwent surgery transcend in 2003, as well as several subsequent heart surgeries. He admitted that blood oxygenation was an issue, especially when traveling – not when he was playing guitar.
Lynyrd Skynyrd first appeared on albums in 1973 with one of her biggest, if not her biggest, hits: Theme Free bird. However, its history goes back much further than that. The initial formation, of which Gary Rossington was a part, dates back to 1964 and is from Jacksonville, Florida. The name was different (Me, You and You) and they started out as a trio by Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns Later, but not long, singer Ronnie Van Zant joined the line-up, and in 1970 the name of the band went down in history.
Sweet Home Alabama I’m Not the Only One Things Go Don’t Ask Me Any Questions I Give My Bullets Back or What is your name are some of the topics Rossington signed on with other members of the band.
Gary Rossington was born in Jacksonville, a city in northern Florida and close to southern Georgia, in 1951. He and his friends loved the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and no one appreciated his long hair—especially the physical education of his high school teacher, Leonard Skinner, which was ironically honored with the name of the band. Its influences, both domestic and foreign, placed Lynyrd Skynyrd at a rock crossroads with country, blues, and Southern sound elements.
The group’s history was not without its dose of tragedy – in 1977, Van Zant and Steve Gaines, then the group’s guitarist, and his sister and vocalist Cassie Gaines died in a plane crash. Rossington was on board but survived despite serious injuries. It was devastating. He said in 2006 to Rolling Stone about the experience. A year earlier, in 1976, he was involved in a violent car accident.
In 1987, after embarking on other musical adventures after the loss of their bandmates, he met Lynyrd Skynyrd and ended up recording nine more albums with different line-ups.
A new tour for the band was imminent, which was put on hold with the death of Rossington, the only member of the group to be present on all albums.