What Happened to Gary Rossington?

Gary Rossington, an American singer who was the lead guitarist and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, experienced various health issues throughout his career.

Gary Rossington had multiple heart surgeries. In 2003, he had to get quintuple bypass surgery and had a critical heart attack in 2015 which led to getting a pacemaker.

In 2019, the band postponed several tour dates while his heart valve was repaired in what was deemed their final tour.

Despite his health issues, Rossington continued to perform with Lynyrd Skynyrd, and he remained an essential part of the band’s sound and legacy until his death in March 2023.

Gary Rossington died on 5 March 2023. His death was announced by the band announced on their official Facebook page Sunday evening.

Gary Rossington also went down in history for surviving a plane crash that killed four of his bandmates, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant. It was 1977 and the band was leaving South Carolina to head to a show in Louisiana.

The devastating crash left Rossington with two broken legs, arms, ankles, and a shattered pelvis. The mourning guitarist recovered from his injuries but battled serious drug addiction caused in part by his painkillers.