Gary Rossington, who has died aged 71, was the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Southern rock band responsible for the popular and enduring chart successes “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”. As well as his skills as a songwriter (he helped pen the aforementioned hits), Rossington’s talent for guitar ensured he was a pivotal part of the band’s success.
He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, to John Robert Rossington and Margaret Berniece McGraw Rossington. His first passion was for playing and watching baseball, especially his favourite team the New York Yankees. But hearing The Rolling Stones as a teenager changed his focus from wannabe Yankee to aspiring rockstar.
