Gary Rossington, guitarist, songwriter and longest-serving member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died Sunday. He was 71.
The band announced the news on their official Facebook page: “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. Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”
No cause of death or details of his passing were mentioned, but Rossington had a history of heart-related problems.