Gary Rossington, the last living original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, died Sunday. He was 71. The band posted a statement confirming Rossington's death on its verified Facebook account. "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 statement said. "Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does." "Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time," the statement concluded. Of Rossington’s innumerable contributions to Lynyrd Skynyrd, his slide guitar work in the everlasting opus “Free Bird” underscores his importance to the band’s sound. The musician also co-wrote “Sweet Home Alabama” and “What’s Your Name."