Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member Gary Rossington passed away on Sunday at the age of 71. No cause of death was given. Rossington was the last surviving original member of the iconic Southern rock band, and was instrumental in the formation of the group. He was the lead guitarist and founding member of the band, playing on all of the group's studio albums from 1973 to 1977. The group achieved success with their 1973 debut album, "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd," which featured the hit singles "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama." The band's other albums included "Second Helping," "Nuthin' Fancy," and "Gimme Back My Bullets." The band was forced to disband in 1977 after a plane crash that killed three members, including singer Ronnie Van Zant. Rossington was among the survivors, and the group reformed in 1987 with Rossington as a member. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Rossington was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014. Rossington is survived by his wife Dale Krantz-Rossington, and his three children.