Sophia Michaels
The music world is mourning the loss of Gary Rossington, the legendary guitarist and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Fans and friends in the industry have been quick to express their admiration for Rossington’s contributions to music, with one fan saying that Lynyrd Skynyrd is “one of America’s three greatest rock bands ever and a Southern rock-style Led Zeppelin” and that “Gary Rossington’s influence and talent was a huge part of that.” Another wrote, “Gary Rossington has left. One of the greatest and pioneer of a style and sound that is timeless and forever cherished.”
Rossington continued to perform with the band until his death, but he admitted it was “strange” hearing other people playing their songs. “The notes are the same, and the songs are the same. It sounds good to me. It sounds like our band,” he shared with Rolling Stone. “I look out and don’t see the original band — it’s strange. And then I look out and see a replacement for me, which is strange.” Despite this, he was grateful that many of their fans are passionate about their music, and he hoped their songs would live on even after every band member had passed. “Me, Allen [Collins] and Ronnie [Van Zant] started this band with a dream of making it big, and that dream came true,” he added. “They’d love it if their music was still being played when they’re gone.”
