Legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington passed away on Tuesday at the age of 71. Rossington was the last surviving original member of the band, which was known for hits like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird.”

The news of Rossington’s death was first announced by the band on their official Instagram page. “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gary Rossington,” the post read. “Gary was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd and will forever be missed.”

Rossington had been suffering from a variety of health problems in recent years, including a heart attack in 2015 and a stroke in 2019. Despite his health issues, he remained active in the band, and had been scheduled to perform on their upcoming tour.

Tributes to Rossington poured in from fans and fellow musicians alike. Billy Gibbons, the guitarist for ZZ Top, remembered Rossington as “the last of the breed” in a statement to Rolling Stone. Bret Michaels and Peter Frampton also honored Rossington in a joint statement to American Songwriter.

Rossington’s contributions to rock and roll will long be remembered, and he will be missed by millions of fans around the world. The Lynyrd Skynyrd family has asked for privacy during this difficult time.