Lynyrd Skynyrd’s First Show After Gary Rossington’s Death

Last Sunday marked the first time that Lynyrd Skynyrd performed again, but this time it was a tribute to the late Gary Rossington.

The renowned Southern rock band’s only surviving founding member, Rossington, passed away earlier this month after battling with his health issues for years. The band was seen performing “Tuesday’s Gone” at the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, Florida, while home films of Rossington were being played on a massive screen behind them.

Singer Johnny Van Zant and Damon Johnson, who has been doing Rossington’s role at live shows since 2021, paid tribute to their late bandmate. When the song reached its end, the words “Gary Rossington 1951-2023: Your Legacy Lives on Forever” appeared on the big screen.

The day after the show, the band posted on their official social media account saying:

“We felt you there with us last night, Gary. Looking down from Rock N’ Roll Heaven and helping us get through one of the toughest shows of our lives. We felt you during the nuances of ‘Free Bird,’ ‘Tuesday’s Gone,’ ‘Saturday Night Special.’ We felt you in the roar of the crowd as they cheered your name and stood up for most of the night. And we will forever feel you on any stage and in our hearts as Skynyrd’s music continues to move billions of people across the world. We love you brother.”

Meanwhile, Lynyrd Skyrnrd is scheduled to perform in the coming months before joining ZZ Top for the Sharp Dressed Simple Man tour.

Watch the fan-filmed video below.