Gary Rossington 1951-2023: the guitar world pays tribute

Yesterday (March 5), it used to be announced that Gary Rossington, the final surviving well-liked member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, had handed away at the age of 71.

The band’s legitimate social media fable broke the suggestions with an announcement that be taught, “It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we’ve to notify, that we misplaced our brother, just accurate friend, household member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, this day.

“Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and household in heaven and playing it gorgeous, like he always does. Please handle Dale, Mary, Annie and your complete Rossington household to your prayers and appreciate the household’s privacy at this sophisticated time.”

Because the final of the band’s basic guitar lineup – and most entertaining founding Skynyrd member to appear on the total iconic Southern rock outfit’s albums since the band’s inception as My Backyard in 1964 – Rossington has left uninteresting a profound legacy, having carried the Skynyrd torch during the decades despite mounting effectively being considerations.

Primarily based on the immeasurable inspiration Rossington gave both his chums and aspiring guitar followers alike, the guitar world has come out in full force to pay tribute to song and memory of the Skynyrd founder.

On Twitter, an especially emotional post from Joe Bonamassa be taught, “This has been [the] worst week in my memory. Literally day after day one more story or just accurate friend has handed away. Relaxation in Peace Gary. Thank you for being so nice to me over the years.”

Metallica frontman James Hetfield, who played alongside Rossington all over Metallica’s thirtieth Anniversary shows in 2011, wrote, “RIP Brother Gary. Thank you for bringing me so noteworthy joy alongside with your guitar playing and songwriting in one of my all time favorite bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd.”

Further tributes from Zakk Wylde, Neal Schon, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more will also be stumbled on below. 

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Matt is a Crew Creator, writing for Guitar World, Guitarist and Total Guitar. He has a Masters in the guitar, a stage in history, and has spent the final 16 years playing everything from blues and jazz to indie and dad. When he’s now not combining his passion for writing and song all over his day job, Matt recordsdata for a series of UK-basically basically based fully bands and songwriters as a session musician.