The band announced the death of Gary Rossington, guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd

(CNN) On Sunday night, the band announced the death of guitarist Gary Rossington, the last of the founding members of southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was 71 years old.

“It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we must advise, today we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist Gary Rossington,” their statement read.

“Gary is now with his brothers and family in Skynyrd in Heaven and is playing a lovely part, as 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,” the statement continued.

No cause of death was given. The guitarist suffered from a number of heart problems, incl Emergency heart surgery in 2021 during the band’s Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’ Tour.

The guitarist’s death is not fair five months before Lynyrd Skynyrd begins Simple round man dressed in sharp clothes along with ZZ Top on July 21.

Rossington survived a 1977 plane crash that killed band members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, as well as backup singer Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines’ sister, and a road manager, just three days after the release of their fifth album, “Street Survivors,” according to the band. website.

Rossington was among the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s band agitator He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and contributed to several of the group’s best-known songs, including “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.”

The band was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in the summer of 1964 when teenagers Rossington, Van Zant, and Bob Burns met while competing on rival baseball teams, says the band’s website. The trio was soon joined by guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Larry Johnstrom, and the crew performed a namesake ensemble before landing at Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969.