Paying tribute to Gary Rossington, the last original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who died in March, an all-star group of country and rock artists closed out the 2023 CMT Music Awards with a touching performance.
Rossington was best known as a founding member of the popular 70’s band, “Lynyrd Skynyrd, also being the longest-surviving original member. Rossington played lead and rhythm guitar. The band still continues to do shows, but no founding members are left. Rossington played his last concert with the band the last November. He had to put a halt to his music career due to health issues. He anticipated hoping to be able to return to the stage once he was feeling better, but unfortunately, he lost his life last month.
The world of music was devastated by the death of Gary Rossington, calling it “the end of a legacy.” Fans will remember him as a great performer and thank him for contributing to the caliber of music Lynyrd Skynyrd produced.
Sunday evening on April 2nd, The CMT (Country Music Television) Music Awards took place at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas. The celebratory event was hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane Brown, both nominees, and performers during the broadcast. The ceremony ended with a special tribute to celebrate the life and fantastic music career of Gary Rossington.
Guitarist Peter Frampton introduced Cody Johnson, Slash, Billy Gibbons, and others to the stage to play a medley of two of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s greatest hits: “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Simple Man.” Frampton described Rossington as a “southern rock icon” and said, “he has now joined his Skynyrd bandmates in rock & roll heaven, but we will all enjoy their music forever.”
