Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Gary Rossington dead at 71

Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last surviving original member who also helped write the classic “Sweet Home Alabama,” died Sunday at the age of 71. The band wrote on Facebook that “we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today.” Rossington survived a 1977 plane crash that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines. He reunited with band members a decade later to reform the band and continue recording and touring. In later years he underwent numerous heart surgeries. No cause of death was given.