Nine months after Gary Rossington's death, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke opened up about the lingering heartbreak after losing the last surviving founding member of the band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's official Facebook page released a statement revealing that Rossington died at his Milton, Ga., home on March 5 at the age of 71. The loss led fans to ask whether Lynyrd Skynyrd would disband, but the band members decided to continue to honor the original members' legacy and contributions to the music industry.
Gary Rossington's Death Lingers
In his interview with FOX17, Medlocke shared his current status months after losing his bandmate. He admitted how difficult it has been for them to accept that Rossington was already dead.
"When we came back after a year and a half, man, it opened up after things started opening, we got right back into it," the rocker shared. "Gary, on the other hand, found himself in a situation - bless his heart, man - to where he couldn't go out anymore, and we just lost him this year. And that really broke my heart."
He spoke candidly about not settling with Rossington's death, saying it continues "to weigh on him" even when the band decided to move on.
He explained that their friendship has been making it hard for him to fully focus on what the future holds for them, especially since performing with Rossington is reportedly something one "will miss the rest of your life."
Even after Rossington's death, Lynyrd Skynyrd continued performing on shows and festivals. The band was tapped to perform on the upcoming CBS special ringing, "New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash."
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Gary Rossington's Health Problems
Rossington endured several health issues in the years leading to his death.
He sustained injuries after the October 20, 1977, plane crash that killed Lynyrd Skynyrd's founding member and vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines.
Rossington dealt with his addiction battle before returning to the band and performed under the banner from 1987 until his death.
In 2003, he underwent a quintuple bypass surgery to re-route blood flow following blockages in arteries. He had a critical heart attack in 2015 that led him to get a pacemaker.
In addition, he had his heart valve repaired during the band's tour in 2019. It, unfortunately, happened again in 2021 when Rossington received another emergency heart surgery.
READ MORE: Lynyrd Skynyrd Fatal Plane Crash: Remembering Members Who Died in Tragic Event
