ITP V.023 ONLY ONE PER COFFIN: R.I.P. GARY ROSSINGTON (FOUNDING GUITARIST LYNYRD SKYNYRD)

  

GARY ROSSINGTON, founding guitarist of classic rock legends  LYNYRD SKYNYRD died 3/5/2023 at 71. No cause of death has been given.

After surviving the deadly 1977 plane crash that took the lives of   LYNYRD SKYNYRD singer RONNIE VAN ZANT and guitarist  STEVE GAINES, GARY ROSSINGTON was the last living original member of the band. 

  LYNYRD SKYNYRD re-united with RONNIE VAN ZANT'S brother STEVE on vocals.

GARY ROSSINGTON suffered from heart problems and underwent bypass surgery. 

LYNYRD SKYNYRD completed a farewell tour a few years ago and is currently scheduled for spring summer 2023 U.S. tours.

FROM  LYNYRD SKYNYRD:

It is with our 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, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.

 

 

FROM ALEX SKOLNICK (TESTAMENT): 

 

It’s been said often enough but bears repeating that this week has been an especially brutal one in terms of musical losses. From sax/composition giant Wayne Shorter to multi-instrumentalist David Lindley to Nashville recording/touring bassist Michael Rhodes and now #garyrossington (all on the heals of a tough year so far that has included the losses of Jeff Beck and David Crosby).

Although Lynyrd Skynyrd gets overshadowed by cultural/political issues (from “Sweet Home Alabama” in the ‘70s to “Red, White & Blue” in 2003 - 20 yrs ago already!) but there’s no denying the band - and the guitarists in particular - have always played their asses off. From the original triple tag-team (my favorite was Steve Gaines, RiP) to more recent lineups (including my friend @officialdamonjohnson), the guitar lineup has always been unassailable. That become even more clear after seing them live in the mid 90s (with @teslaband) and more recently sharing the bill on a few Euro-fests.

All along, through triumph and tragedy (see 1977 plane crash) it’s been held down by Rossington who, in the mold of Dickey Betts, Leslie West and others, played without fancy gadgets or tricks, opting to create musical statements with the pure tone of a high quality Gibson through an amp (a “simple kind of man,” indeed).

Just the other night, after playing a show (one in which I admittedly used a lot of gadgets), I was saying hello to a group of fans afterwards. The venue PA was broadcasting a local classic rock station and all of a sudden, “That Smell” came on. It kicks off with Rossington’s lead line with smooth bends & vibrato drenched in fiery feedback. “Stop!” I said. “Listen to that.” We all paid a moment of silence in tribute (completely unaware of the news the next day would bring) only resuming conversation as the feedback faded and the song continued in the background. Now it all seems serendipitous. #ripgaryrossington

 

FROM GREGG ALLMAN ESTATE:

 Team GA is saddened to hear of the passing of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington. #RIPFreebird. Here is Gregg with Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke at the rehearsals for One More For The Fans! – Celebrating the Songs & Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd at The Fox Theatre on November 11, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rick Diamond Photography)

 

FROM OPETH: 

 

”We barely have time to take a breath between one tragedy to the next. I’m not a social media guy at all, and I definitely never wanted to be posting these tributes to fallen rock heroes and heroines. But here we go again. Gary Rossington (Lynyrd Skynyrd) and Jim Durkin (Dark Angel) has left us. Our deepest condolences goes out to their respective band members, and family and friends alike. And a special thought goes out to our friend (and one time Opeth drummer) Gene Hoglan.

We’ve heard the line ”Play Freebird” so many times over the years. I wish we would have to be honest. It’s a masterpiece, but also a intimidating piece of music that you simply don’t tamper with. I’m a long time Skynyrd fan. My friend Jocke played them to me in the late 80’s or early 90’s, and we were partly responsible for bringing the bell-bottom jeans back in fashion in Stockholm. Thanks to Skynyrd. People laughed at us, but we felt cool, and we looked cool. Our fashion icon was Artimus Pyle and/or Allen Collins the way they looked on the back cover of ”Nuthin’ fancy”. And of course Gary himself. And what a great band they are! Few records have that start-to-finish quality like their debut album from 1973. I find myself returning to this album over and over again. It never gets old. Lynyrd skynyrd was famously riddled with tragedies throughout their career, and with the loss of Gary we have also lost the last original member. I for one would want the band to carry the torch onwards and continue playing the immortal classics that make up their discography. We were briefly label mates with Skynyrd. They had signed to Roadrunner records for their ”God and Guns” album and we’re on the label at the time. I felt super chuffed to be able to say ”Lynyrd Skynyrd? Yeah, you know, we’re on the same label as them….”. Gary, we love you! Thank you for all your wonderful music!

And Jim Durkin. It’s such a tragic loss he’s no longer with us. I’ve met him briefly and he seemed like a completely awesome guy. I first saw Dark Angel on their ”Leave scars” tour here in Stockholm (with Nuclear Assault and Acid Reign) but I believe Jim was not on that tour (?). My memory is a bit blurred. I was stage diving a lot then (imagine that!) and I remember that they finished their set right when I was about to do yet another jump into the crowd. But there’s no music, and there I was. Jumping into the crowd to complete silence. I remember turning around and got a thumbs up from Gene. He obviously don’t remember this, but I do. I was so embarrassed. They (Dark Angel) were off the rails awesome that night anyways. I loved that album, but like many others I'd probably agree with that ”Darkness Descends” is the most shining jewel in their crown.

All in all, this is gonna sting for a long while. I miss them, and I’m sure many of you reading this feels the same way. But you soldier on, don’t you? And we can find some comfort in the fact that they both left behind a abundance of amazing music. And on that note, I’ll perhaps pick up the guitar and finally learn ”Freebird” from start to finish. I probably won’t bother with ”The burning of Sodom” however. I am forced to accept my limitations here.”

Mikael Åkerfeldt, on behalf of Opeth

 

MORE  GARY ROSSINGTON TRIBUTES LATER. 

VIDEO BELOW: LYNYRD SKYNYRD: "THREE STEPS" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD): 

 

 

 

 

  VIDEO BELOW:LYNYRD SKYNYRD: "SWEET HOME ALABAMA" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  VIDEO BELOW: LYNYRD SKYNYRD; "FREEBIRD" (VIA YOU TUBE, COURTESY OF  LYNYRD SKYNYRD): 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/