After Rossington’s passing, the group issued a statement explaining that it had decided to continue to tour. This past March also saw the death of the band’s last original surviving member, guitarist Gary Rossington at age 71. This year, Lynyrd Skynyrd have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of their debut album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, which was released in August of 1973.