Before his passing in March 2023, Gary Rossington — the last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd — expressed a heartfelt desire for the iconic Southern rock band to continue its legacy. His unwavering commitment to the group was evident in his conversations with fellow band members.

“He was aware that his health was deteriorating,” shares Johnny Van Zant, the current lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, in an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital. “He told me, ‘I’ve dedicated my life to preserving this legacy, and when I’m gone, I don’t want to see this band disappear.’”

In response, the band welcomed Damon Johnson, an accomplished guitarist known for his work with Alice Cooper and Thin Lizzy. Johnson began performing with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2021 while Rossington was recuperating from emergency heart surgery. Van Zant notes that Johnson was being groomed to take Rossington’s place even before he officially joined the band.

“Gary took it upon himself to mentor him and was present during rehearsals,” Van Zant recalls fondly. “He genuinely wanted this music to endure, you know?” He adds, “Without Gary’s wishes, I don’t think me and Rickey would be here. We are fulfilling his dream for as long as we can.”

• In 1964, Rossington teamed up with Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins to form My Backyard, which later evolved into the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd.
• He survived the tragic plane crash in 1977 that claimed the lives of many band members, ultimately leading the revitalized group into the modern era.
• Now, Johnny Van Zant, who stepped in for his brother Ronnie in 1987, is the longest-standing member of the band.

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The band’s dedication to honoring Rossington’s legacy is also the driving force behind the release of their live album, Celebrating 50 Years — Live at the Ryman, which debuted last week. This remarkable live recording features guest performances from Jelly Roll, Marcus King, John Osborne of the Brothers Osborne, and Brent Smith from Shinedown.

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“Originally, this was never intended to be a live release; it was created for PBS,” Van Zant clarifies. However, that particular show became Rossington’s final performance with the band.

“After Gary’s passing, we thought, ‘You know what? Our fans deserve to have this in their collections,’” he continues, expressing his belief that Rossington would be “immensely proud” of this album.