Gary Rossington

The music world is mourning Gary Rossington, the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who died on Sunday (March 5) at the age of 71.
Following the news, Artimus Pyle, who drummed for the rock band during the 1970’s, paid tribute to his late bandmate. “I’ve already gone back, looked at them, and read the entire thread between Gary and I. And I will cherish these texts for the rest of my life,” Pyle, who replaced original drummer Bob Burns in 1975, told Rolling Stone.

“When Bob, Gary and [singer] Ronnie [Van Zant] got together in Bob’s carport on the west side of Jacksonville, Florida, they put something together that went worldwide,” he continued. “Everyone will remember Gary as a road dog, trouper, songwriter, and one of the greatest guitar players that ever lived. He just loved being onstage.”

74-year-old Pyle is now the only living member of the band that was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. “As it turns out, being the last living member of Lynyrd Skynyrd is not all it’s cracked up to be,” Pyle said. “It’s painful, and I’m trying to process it and deal with it.”

No cause of death for Rossington was given, though the guitarist had been dealing with health issues over the past couple of decades and particularly since the mid-2010s, when heart ailments occasionally sidelined Rossington, and the band.

In an official statement Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote that, “It is without 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 and Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this time.”

A number of rock greats also took to Twitter to mourn the beloved musician, including Peter Frampton, Paul Rodgers, Travis Tritt, The Allman Brothers Band and more. See below.

This cannot be! My heart breaks for Dale Rossington and the entire Skynryd family today. We have been friends since first touring together in the 70s. We will miss you my friend. Gary Rossington RIP— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) March 6, 2023

Yesterday we lost our musical brother Gary Rossington, a man we all loved. Our thoughts are with his love Dale, their family and his many friends and fans. I am numb…this cuts deep. – Paul pic.twitter.com/LMZIxAS1pH— Paul Rodgers (@_paulrodgers) March 6, 2023

I just learned that my dear friend, Gary Rossington passed away today. I’m heartbroken! Gary was not only a friend, but a collaborator that wrote songs with me and played guitar with me in studio recordings and onstage so many times. My heart goes out to Dale and the girls. RIP🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/BuTEIdDaR2— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) March 6, 2023

Gary Rossington sat in with the Allman Brothers Band at the Beacon on March 11, 2006. They did Simple Man as a closer for the first set. Rest in peace, brother. Photo by Peach Corps member Gene. pic.twitter.com/B8Oukl7uIl— Allman Brothers Band (@allmanbrothers) March 6, 2023

14 yrs old, slept in parking lot Angel Stadium. Bought Ted Nugent T. Smoked weed, passed out lost T shirt. Saw #LynyrdSkynyrd LIVE. LOVED IT This was 2 months before the crash. Today we lost #GaryRossington last surviving member. Today it’s ok to yell FREE BIRD— Riki Rachtman (@RikiRachtman) March 6, 2023

I send this with all of my heart, prayers & condolences to the family, friends & fans of Gary Rossington. On behalf of my family, he brought a lot of great music & many great memories to so many people. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/3Vs6bkS2K5— Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) March 6, 2023

“I was saddened to hear that Gary Rossington of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band has passed away. To all the band members that are left, our prayers go out to you and your families.” -Ricky SkaggsPhoto credit: Lynyrd Skynyrd Facebook pic.twitter.com/tFwsUu9GGN— Ricky Skaggs (@RickySkaggs) March 7, 2023