Happy 64th Birthday Gary Rossington! 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd “Freebird” Oakland, CA

Happy 64th Birthday Gary Rossington! 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd “Freebird” Oakland, CA | Society Of Rock Videos

Youtube "Lynyrd Skynyrd on MV"

Happy Birthday, Gary!!

64 years ago, Gary Rossington was born in Jacksonville, Florida. As a kid, he was interested in joining the New York Yankee since his main passion back then was baseball. But after hearing The Rolling Stones on the radio, he decided to give up on that career instead. Aren’t we all glad he did? His current net worth is at $40 million and majority of it came from his earnings in Lynyrd Skynyrd especially since he’s the only surviving original member.

His 1959 Gibson Les Paul, affectionately named “Berniece” after his mother, was originally owned by a man who left his girlfriend. Gary then bought it from the woman and has been his instrument of choice. Unfortunately, he’s been battling with heart problems. In 2003, he underwent quintuple bypass surgery and on October 8 this year, Gary suffered a serious heart attack. With 3 shows left to close 2015, Johnny Van Zant told him to just cancel them but Gary adamantly refused.

“And he was like, ‘No, no, no, no, no.’ He goes, ‘Man, I’ve been going out by my lake and doing a little bit of meditating, and I was thinking about what’s important to me and that’s my family, my grandkids and playing the guitar. If I can get all of this right, I want to finish up these shows and this year.'” — Johnny Van Zant

What a strong spirit you have, Gary. Such an inspiration. Happy, happy birthday and keep on fighting!

Don’t Miss Out! Sign up for the Latest Updates

Premium Partners

Society of Rock partner World War Wings
Society of Rock partner Daily Rock Box
Society of Rock partner Country Music Nation
Society of Rock partner Country Rebel
Society of Rock partner I Love Classic Rock
Society of Rock partner Rock Pasta

Interested in becoming a partner?

Contact us for more info.