RIP Gary Rossington

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

LYNYRD SKYNYRD Guitarist GARY ROSSINGTON Dead At 71

LYNYRD SKYNYRD guitarist Gary Rossington has died. The 71-year-old musician's passing was announced by his surviving bandmates earlier today (Sunday, March 5). They wrote on social media: "It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend...

blabbermouth.net

All the original members of Skynyrd are now gone. He at least knew he was on his way out, though.

 

[Yul Brynner]

WTF is up with everyone fucking dying lately?

 

[The Mirror]

The first generation of classic rock and metal artists are getting old. That's all there is to it.

People being in their 20s in the 60s and 70s are now in their 70s and 80s. That's when people start dying.

 

[StevenC]

RIP Gary

A huge part of my guitar journey, one of the reasons I play an SG and the entire reason I suck at slide guitar.

 

[ArtDecade]

He played on a lot of classic tracks that keep plenty of bar bands employed. Thanks for the tunes, mate!

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

The first generation of classic rock and metal artists are getting old. That's all there is to it.

People being in their 20s in the 60s and 70s are now in their 70s and 80s. That's when people start dying.

Yeah, also Gary's had health issues for years pertaining to his heart. Also keep in mind the dude survived *that* goddamn plane crash, so the dude's been on borrowed time for over half his life.

Also, Skynyrd's kinda treated like a joke, but man they knew how to write a catchy song. Feel like they never got enough credit for pioneer multiple lead guitarists in rock music as well... Simple Man is still one of my favorite solos ever. King, Rossington, and Collins were a fucking force.

 

[Xiphos68]

It's a shame Skynyrd is treated like a joke. They were pioneers in every way and all of our heroes likely loved them based on those who cite influence.
They would have been huge even now if they had all survived.

Great sadness that the last survivor of the original band is gone. It's a miracle he lived this long, thank you Gary for everything. God be with your family, friends and fans.

 

[Shawn]

He was my favorite member of the band. RIP.

 

[ArtDecade]

Are Skynyrd treated like a joke? Down South, they are royalty.

 

[NotDonVito]

Are Skynyrd treated like a joke? Down South, they are royalty.

Yeah I grew up in Alabama, and couldn't count on both hands how many LS tribute bands I've seen. There are redneck funerals closed out to Freebird down here.

 

[BenjaminW]

There are redneck funerals closed out to Freebird down here.

That kinda sounds dope not gonna lie.

The first couple of times I heard the intro to Simple Man, I always thought it was a Guns N’ Roses song and for whatever reason couldn’t believe it was a Skynyrd song. Gary’s solo fucking rips like no other.

 

[Xiphos68]

I can't tell how many times I've heard a Skynyrd song butchered down here. It's endless.

Thank goodness no one plays "Free Bird." My heart couldn't take it.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Are Skynyrd treated like a joke? Down South, they are royalty.

Here in the south yeah, they're pretty much on the same level as bands like Boston, Journey, etc.. Everywheres else though, eeehhhh?

 

[spudmunkey]

Looking through the credits, it looks like he was a co-writer for my favorite Skynyrd song, Mr. Banker. Didn't play on it, though.

 

[Opion]

Yeah, d

I can't tell how many times I've heard a Skynyrd song butchered down here. It's endless.

Thank goodness no one plays "Free Bird." My heart couldn't take it.

There’s a local band here where I’m from and they’re all 14-16 years old, play tons of southern rock covers, and honestly look the part - long hair, bell bottoms, Les Pauls. Someone yelled out Freebird and they said, “You sure?” “Yeah!” “OK!” And proceeded to play the whole version, 9 minutes long.

I like to think that they’re so young they don’t even know that that’s a joke and they just so happened to know the whole song.

 

[Spaced Out Ace]

I kind of prefer Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, and Allman Brothers Band, but I've never really given Lynyrd Skynyrd a deep dive listen. I'll probably have to change that at some point.

RIP Gary.

 

[Xiphos68]

Yeah, d


There’s a local band here where I’m from and they’re all 14-16 years old, play tons of southern rock covers, and honestly look the part - long hair, bell bottoms, Les Pauls. Someone yelled out Freebird and they said, “You sure?” “Yeah!” “OK!” And proceeded to play the whole version, 9 minutes long.

I like to think that they’re so young they don’t even know that that’s a joke and they just so happened to know the whole song.

I love that in every way. That is hilarious. Hahaha

 

[Fenriswolf]

I kind of prefer Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, and Allman Brothers Band, but I've never really given Lynyrd Skynyrd a deep dive listen. I'll probably have to change that at some point.

RIP Gary.

And let me introduce you to the best part of Skynyrd.




And with how influential Gary was on my guitar playing....it feels weird saying Steve Gaines was the best.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

I really love Ed King. Dude didn't seem to get much love until he died, but he was a beast. If there's one thing that was great about the '87 reunion, it's Ed getting more time to shine since he had to do not only his old parts, but Collins' and Gaines' stuff