Van Zant reveals what Gary Rossington said about Skynyrd continuing without him

The guitarist Gary Rossington was the final surviving member of Lynyrd Skynyrd who was still part of the band and when he passed away in 2023, the band quickly decided to continue with no original members. In an interview with WHDAFM, Johnny Van Zant, vocalist of the band  and younger brother of the late Ronnie Van Zant, revealed what Rossington told him about Skynyrd continuing without him.

Their current line-up has Rickey Medlocke (Guitar), Johnny Van Zant (Ronnie’s young brother – vocals), Dale Krantz-Rossington (Backing vocals), Carol Chase (Backing vocals)< Michael Cartellone (Drums), Mark Matejka (Guitar), Peter Keys (Keyboards), Keith Christopher (Bass) and Damon Johnson (Guitar).

Johnny Van Zant reveals what Gary Rossington said about Skynyrd continuing without him

“I was a Skynyrd fan before I was offered to be a part of this. But I walked in a room in 1986 with his ‘little brothers,’ because he was the alpha dog and the oldest one, and they are all still really hurting from this horrible, horrible crash and asked me to be a part of it. And I know, sitting here today in 25 that I did the right thing.”

“Before Gary passed, he told me and Rickey (Medlocke), ‘Man, you know, I’ve spent my whole life keeping this music alive for my brothers who passed in ’77. I don’t want to see it end.’ And to me, that was him telling me, ‘Hey, keep going, man, as long as you can.’ So, as long as I can, I’ll be out there playing these songs, and seeing that ‘8 to 80’ crowd,” Johnny Van Zant said (Transcribed by Ultimate Guitar).

Next Lynyrd Skynyrd tour dates

June

• 20 – Eau Claire, WI – Summer Jam 2025
• 27 – Barcelona, Spain – Rock Fest
• 29 – Ferrara, Italy – Summer Festival
• 30 – Munich, Germany – Tollwood

July

• 02 – Breisach am Rhein, Germany – Onot & Rock Festival
• 04 – Halle, Germany – Freilichtbühne Peißnitz
• 05 – Bonn, Germany – Kunstrasen Bonn Gronau
• 07 – Prague, Czech Republic – O2 Arena
• 08 – St. Pölten, Austria – Vaz
• 10 – Paris, France – Zénith de Paris – La Villette
• 12 – Bad Mergentheim, Germany – Residenzschloss Mergentheim
• 13 – Berlin, Germany – Zitadelle Spandau
• 15 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
• 16 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
• 18 – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
• 19 – London, UK – OVO Arena