So long Free Bird... RIP Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd lead guitarist
Mar 6, 2023 09:26:48 #
Gary Rossington, the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and the last surviving original member of the band, has died at the age of 71.
No cause of death was given for Rossington, who died on Sunday, nearly four months before the band was set to embark on their next tour.
The guitarist had been dealing with health issues for decades, including a heart attack in 2015 and emergency heart surgery in 2021.
In an official statement, Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote: “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.”
In 2016, Rossington told Billboard magazine that he’d decided to keep playing, despite his health problems.
“It’s just in my blood, y’know?” he said. “I’m just an old guitar player, and we’ve spent our whole lives and the 10,000 hours of working to understand how to play and do it. So I think once you’ve got something going for yourself, you should keep it up and keep your craft going. When you retire, what’s next? I like to fish, but how much of that can you do, right?”
No cause of death was given for Rossington, who died on Sunday, nearly four months before the band was set to embark on their next tour.
The guitarist had been dealing with health issues for decades, including a heart attack in 2015 and emergency heart surgery in 2021.
In an official statement, Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote: “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.”
In 2016, Rossington told Billboard magazine that he’d decided to keep playing, despite his health problems.
“It’s just in my blood, y’know?” he said. “I’m just an old guitar player, and we’ve spent our whole lives and the 10,000 hours of working to understand how to play and do it. So I think once you’ve got something going for yourself, you should keep it up and keep your craft going. When you retire, what’s next? I like to fish, but how much of that can you do, right?”
Mar 6, 2023 11:12:08 #
EmilyD wrote:
Gary Rossington, the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and ... (show quote)
Play it purdy for Atlanta is now available for the heavens. RIP Gary 🙏
Mar 6, 2023 13:04:31 #
EmilyD wrote:
Gary Rossington, the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and ... (show quote)
The good ones are all going.
Mar 6, 2023 15:28:51 #
Smedley_buzk**l wrote:
The good ones are all going.
Should be quite a party up there!! The original band is back together now!
(Anyone who can play the guitar like Gary MUST be in heaven! 😉😄)
7/2/1977 - Oakland Coliseum Stadium.....he's flyin' free now...!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxIWDmmqZzY&ab_channel=Wolfgang%27sLynyrdSkynyrd
"If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on now
'Cause there's too many places I've got to see....."
Mar 7, 2023 18:44:24 #
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