LYNYRD SKYNYRD

The iconic band's last surviving co-founder was also perhaps the last flagpole in a once-powerful part of American music: Southern rock. Or at least a rebellious version of it that later became loosely tied to conservative politics and didn’t shy away from some of the problematic symbols of the South. “They’re the band that sort of codified a lot of what we think of as Southern rock,” said Stephen Thomas Erlewine, a music critic who writes for AllMusic, Pitchfork and Rolling Stone.

Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last surviving original member who also helped to found the group, died Sunday at the age of 71. No cause of death was given.

Rossington was the last surviving original founding member of the Southern rock band, known for its anthemic "Free Bird," among many other hit songs.

He also helped found the group. Rolling Stone says a Little League game played a surprising and fateful role.

The last founder of the Jacksonville-based rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington, died on Sunday at the age of 71.

Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s last surviving original member who also helped to found the group, died Sunday at the age of 71. No cause of death was given. “It is with our deepest sympathy and sadness that we have to advise, that we lost our brother, friend, family member, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Rossington, today,” the band wrote on Facebook.

"Sweet Home Alabama" musician Gary Rossington died Sunday. The Lynyrd Skynyrd original band member was one of more than a dozen people to survive 1977 plane crash.

The last founder of the Jacksonville-based rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has passed, according to a statement put out by the band’s official Facebook account.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group Lynyrd Skynyrd will headline a Hurricane Ian Benefit Concert at Hertz Arena next month, according to a release.

A music festival plans to remember and honor the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd who lost their lives over four decades ago in a tragic plane crash.

Located in the heart of Downtown Jacksonville, the Florida Theatre is your pick for the city’s best live music venue.

See how many facts you can get straight about the River City.

The Florida house where Lynyrd Skynyrd rock legend Ronnie Van Zant and his brothers Donnie and Johnny grew up is on the market for $629,000.

Their names are world-famous: Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet. Not as well known, however, is that those bands are among several who together pioneered a new kind of music nearly 60 years ago in Jacksonville. As the city celebrates its bicentennial, Southern rock endures and still thrives today.

The widow of Ronnie Van Zant, the late lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has confirmed to News4JAX that his final resting place has been moved to a new location in the same cemetery.

Lynyrd Skynyrd said it best; "Can't you smell that smell?"

A grocery store that inspired the famous Lynyrd Skynyrd lyrics “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” was demolished last month.

A salute to local businesses! Saturday is "904 Day"--in the 904. The special ways you can celebrate Jacksonville businesses, and how some are using the opportunity to give back.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has pulled out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame concert after guitarist Rickey Medlocke tested positive for COVID-19.

Orange Park police have identified a suspect in the theft of a trailer loaded with Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia that was meant to be auctioned off for charity.

At a fundraising event for Jimmie Van Zant's cancer charity in Middleburg, Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia was supposed to be sold, but a trailer full of memorabilia was stolen Friday.

Legendary Southern Rock band from Jacksonville idled by coronavirusIf you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Among those put out of work by the coronavirus pandemic is Jacksonville’s Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant said he’s trying to take care of the people who work for Skynyrd. “This thing swept us off our feet," Van Zant said. I think arenas will come along later.”UNCUT: Tom Wills’ full interview with Johnny Van ZantVan Zant said he doesn’t see much live music happening before the end of this year. “I was talking to a friend of mine and we were like, just think, all around the world there’s nobody playing music.

It was a reunion like no other in the history of rock and roll. Loved ones of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve and Cassie Gaines were there. So were survivors of the Mississippi plane crash 42 years ago that killed Ronnie, Steve and Cassie, and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick of Jacksonville, the pilot and co-pilot. WATCH: ‘The Legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd’ preview | A look at the documentaryAt 9 p.m. Thursday on WJXT’s sister station, CW17, I brought you these dramatic stories in an hour-long special, “The Legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd." There will be an encore presentation of the special at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec 29, also on CW17.

PLANT CITY, Fla. - There are 11 days of strawberries and music coming to Florida. The 85th annual Florida Strawberry Festival announced its 2020 concert lineup which includes country-music favorites Rascal Flats, Reba McEntire, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Eli Young Band and more. Floridians can head to Plant City to enjoy their fair share of strawberries and live music from Feb. 27 to March 18, 2020Festival-goers can get their hands on fresh strawberries, strawberry shortcake, strawberry shortcake milkshakes, strawberry coated nuts, chocolate-dipped strawberries, strawberry pie and cheesecake, strawberry pizza and more. Concert tickets are additional. The Oak Ridge Boys7:30 p.m. Rascal FlattsFriday, February 283:30 p.m. Tommy James & The Shondells7:30 p.m. Michael RaySaturday, February 293:30 p.m.

Judy Van Zant, the widow of Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, led the unveiling of a seven-ton granite monument to the six who died and 20 injured in the crash of the band's charter... Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

At one point we parked and walked a dry creek bed the rest of the way to the crash site where I had stood amid the wreckage. It's eerie being back here after 42 years in this same spot where that plane broke apart," McDaniel said. So I bailed out and went to the crash site." "The plane had been re-configured into a tour plane with couches and such as that, and with 26 people aboard." The current band contributed very well, local people contributed, and the next thing you know, we got a monument.

Judy Van Zant, widow of crash victim and Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, raised the curtain on a black granite monument on the roadside about 400 yards from the crash site deep in the dense woods. Etched in stone, one panel describes the history of the crash: "The plane was doomed. When the brief ceremony ended, Judy was surrounded by Skynyrd fans wanting a picture with her. Whether you're a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd or not, you know a famous band crashed in your back yard and people died and people were seriously injured." Photo by Joe OwensJoining the Judy Van Zant at the ceremony was her daughter, Melody, and Melody's two children.

Wife, daughter reflect on Leonard Skinner's link to band, impact of Alzheimer's. If you need help with WJXT’s or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801.

ORANGE PARK, Fla. - Jacksonville might be best known as "The Birthplace of Southern Rock" thanks in large part to the legendary Clay County natives who formed bands Lynyrd Skynryrd and 38 Special. At the height of the band's fame, Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashed in Mississippi 42 years ago. Items from the exhibit are on loan from several private sources, including Donnie and Johnny Van Zant, and Ellen Powell, the widow of Billy Powell who played in Lynyrd Skynyrd. It will also be available for viewing during a concert featuring .38 Special, on Nov. 9, during which Donnie and Johnny Van Zant plan to appear on stage. Head to the Thrasher-Horne Center's website for more information on the exhibit and concert times.

Is there a real Lynyrd Skynyrd? Questions like that one have been asked throughout the decades about Jacksonville's famous rock band. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Larry Junstrom, the bassist for 38 Special and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at the age of 70. The Big Man on the Big Bass has left us, bandmates lamented in a message posted on 38 Specials Facebook page Sunday. He rocked arenas all over the world and succeeded in living his dream.Junstrom, who spent his golden years in Interlachen following his retirement, was an original member of the legendary Jacksonville southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, according to Clay Today. As the Toronto Sun reports, he later parted ways with the group and joined 38 Special. There will never be another like him.Junstrom is survived by his wife and family.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Lynyrd Skynyrd has postponed its Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour as its original band member and lead guitarist, Gary Rossington, recovers from heart surgery. It said the shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Wheatland, California, have been rescheduled for Oct. 18 and 19. RELATED: Lynyrd Skynyrd talks about future beyond farewell tour | Fans come out in droves for Lynyrd Skynyrd farewell tour | 41 years ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashes in Mississippi"We all appreciate the well wishes for Gary and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused," said Johnny Van Zant, the band's lead vocalist. "He can't wait to come back and perform at 100% for the fans. The band said he's expected to make a full recovery.