Gary Rossington is a musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was born on December 4, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida, United States.
Rossington started playing guitar at a young age and formed Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 with Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins. The band achieved great success in the 1970s, with hits such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” and “Gimme Three Steps.”
In 1977, tragedy struck when a plane crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines. Rossington was seriously injured in the crash and spent months recovering.
After the crash, Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded but reformed in 1987 with Rossington as the only original member. The band has continued to tour and record new music, and Rossington has been a driving force behind its continued success.
In addition to his work with Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rossington has also released solo albums and collaborated with other musicians. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006.