Ed King

September 14, 1949 – August 22nd, 2018

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington was “shocked and saddened” to learn of the death of his former bandmate, a founder member who played guitar and bass with the southern rock icons from 1972 to

1975 and again between 1987 and 1996. King, who co-wrote the band’s hit Sweet Home Alabama, passed away at his home in Nashville at the age of 68. “I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in rock and roll heaven,” added Rossington.

Before joining Skynyrd, King was a member of the psychedelic band Strawberry Alarm Clock during the 1960s. He played on Skynyrd’s self-titled debut album in 1973 and the following year’s Second Helping, and left the group after the release of a third record, Nuthin’ Fancy. He rejoined in ’87, but left again in ’96 due to health issues.

King was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with several other key Lynyrd Skynyrd alumni in 2006. DL