Lynyrd Skynyrd Founding Guitarist Gary Rossington’s Final Wish for the Band Before His Passing
via Good Morning America / YouTube
Honoring Rossington’s Legacy
Gary Rossington, the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away in March 2023. He had lived through the 1977 plane crash that killed three of his bandmates and went on to keep the group’s music alive for decades. Even in his final years, Rossington made it clear that he didn’t want the band to end with him.
In a recent interview with Fox News Digital, guitarist Rickey Medlocke and lead singer Johnny Van Zant spoke about Rossington’s wishes. Medlocke said with a smile, “I don’t want to get off the bus of life one day and have him to whoop my a–.” He added, “His spirit is all over the stage.”
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Rossington Wanted the Band to Keep Going
According to Johnny Van Zant, Rossington knew his health was failing and had been open about his hopes for the future of the band. “He knew his health was getting bad and he had told me, he said… ‘I’ve spent my life carrying on this legacy, and after I’m gone I don’t want to see this band go away,’” Van Zant recalled.
In 2021, Rossington had heart surgery, and during his recovery, the band brought in Damon Johnson, a former guitarist for Thin Lizzy. Rossington was supportive of the choice. “Gary kind of mentored him, you know, some and came to rehearsal,” Van Zant said. “He wanted this music to go on, man.”
Van Zant added that they wouldn’t still be performing if Rossington hadn’t given them his blessing. “I don’t think me and Rickey would be here if Gary said, ‘Hey, after I’m gone I want this to go away.’ So, we’re carrying out his wishes as long as we can.”
A Live Album to Celebrate 50 Years
On July 4, Lynyrd Skynyrd released a live album called Celebrating 50 Years – Live at the Ryman as a tribute to Rossington. The concert, recorded in November 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, was his final performance with the band.
“This was never supposed to be a live release,” said Van Zant. “It was done for PBS. And after Gary passed, we were like, you know what? We think all the fans need to have this in their collection… and what they loved about the band. And Gary, you know, loved the fans and I know he’d probably be going, ‘Hell yeah, put it out!’”
Medlocke agreed and added, “It was real special for us, you know?”
