Sign up to our free breaking news emails. Gary Rossington, who has died aged 71, was the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Southern rock band responsible for the popular and enduring chart successes “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”.

Gary Rossington, the band's founding guitarist, was the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 71. Rossington was a cornerstone of the group’s signature "three-guitar" Southern rock sound and was a co-writer of many of their legendary hits, including "Sweet Home Alabama." He famously survived the tragic 1977 plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and other band members, later returning to lead the reformed band for several decades. Before Rossington, other original members like Larry Junstrom (bass) and Ed King (guitar) had passed away in 2019 and 2018, respectively. With Rossington’s death, the original line-up that recorded the 1973 debut album is now entirely gone, marking the end of an era for one of rock's most resilient and influential bands. The group continues to tour today as a tribute act led by Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of the original frontman.