Gary Rossington Age, Career, Death, Family, Salary, and Net Worth

Who is Gary Rossington?

Gary Rossington (born Gary Robert Rossington) was an eminent American songwriter and musician. He played lead and rhythm guitar and was the last original member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Moreover, he was a founding member of the Rossington Collins Band, along with former bandmate Allen Collins. He is the last surviving founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Gary Rossington Career

His instrument of choice was a 1959 Gibson Les Paul. He purchased the guitar from a woman whose boyfriend had left her and left behind his guitar. He went on to name the guitar “Berniece” in honor of his mother (whom he was extremely close to after the death of his father). Gary played lead guitar on “Tuesday’s Gone” and the slide guitar for “Free Bird”. Also, he provided the guitar work for Simple Man” along with Collins. Besides Les Paul, he used various other Gibson Guitars including Gibson SGs. A few years ago, Gibson released a Gary Rossington SG/LES Paul in their Custom Shop.

For most of his career, he has been playing through Marshall and Peavey Amplifiers. In 1976 on Labor Day, he and fellow Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins were both involved in separate car accidents in their hometown in Jacksonville. He hit an oak tree while under the influence of alcohol and other drugs, as he had just bought a new Ford Torino. Thus because of the accident, the band was forced to postpone a tour scheduled to begin a few days later and Gary was fined US$5,000 for the delay his actions caused to the band’s schedule. The song “That Smell” written by Van Zant and Collins, was based on the wreck and Gary’s state of influence from drugs and alcohol that caused it.

Plane Crash and Career Continuenment

He also was one of the 20 passengers who survived the October 20, 1977 plane crash near McComb, Mississippi. The plane crash claimed the lives of Lynyrd Skynyrd members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and three others. His mother informed him days later that Van Zant and others had been killed. But despite breaking both arms, legs, wrists, and ankles, as well as his pelvis, he recovered from his injuries and played on stage again (with steel rods in his right arm and right leg).

Though with time he fully recovered from the severe injuries incurred from the crash, he battled serious addiction throughout the next several years. Largely the result of his heavy dependence on pain medication taken during his recovery from the plane crash. In 1980, he co-founded the Rossington Collins Band with Collins. The band went on and released two albums but disbanded in 1982 after the death of Collins’ wife Kathy. Along with his wife Dale Krantz-Rossington, he went on and formed The Rossington Band which released two albums in 1986 and 1988. Until his death in 2023, he still played with Lynyrd Skynyrd. And with the death of bassist Larry Junstroom (2019) Gary became the last surviving original member of the band.

How Old Is Gary Rossington?

He was 71 years old at the time of his death on March 5, 2023. Having been born on December 4, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. Gary Rossington shared his birthdate with celebrities such as; Jay-Z, Jin, Mia Fizz, Cash Nasty, Scarlett Estevez, and many more.

Gary Rossington Family

Who are Gary Rossington’s Parents?

He was born to Berniece Rossington (Mother). Gary grew up in a single-parent household and said that early in their relationship, Van Zant became somewhat of a father figure to him. His mother recalled that Gary had a strong childhood interest in baseball and aspired as a child one day to play for the New York Yankees.

Does Gary Rossington have Siblings?

There is no news on the internet showing whether he had siblings or not. In case there is news regarding this matter, we will update it here as soon as possible.

Gary Rossington Education

He received his education at Riverside High School. But he later dropped off high school to focus on Lynyrd Skynyrd full-time.

Gary Rossington Marital Status

He was married to the love of his life Dale Krantz Rossington (born on November 21, 1948). They married in 1982. His wife is a background singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Gary Rossington Kids

He and his wife Dale have two kids. One of her daughters’ names is Mary Elizabeth Rossington. However, her other kid’s name is not mentioned on the internet.

Gary Rossington Height and Measurements

Adding up to his well-built body, he stood at a height of 5ft 10 inches (1.78m) and a weight of 69kg (152 lbs).

Gary Rossington’s Salary and Net Worth

News on the internet shows that he had a salary of $250,000 per year. He accrued this salary from his music career. From his music career, he has gathered good fortune as he had a net worth of $40 million.

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