Guitarist-songwriter Gary Rossington, the last surviving member of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on Sunday (March 5) at the age of 71, according to a post shared by the official Facebook page of the band on Monday.

One of the founding members of the band, Rossington survived Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tragic 1977 plane crash. He played with the band until this year and was on board for a tour scheduled later this year.

“Gary is now with his Skynyrd brothers and family in heaven and playing it pretty, like he always does. Please keep Dale, Mary, Annie and the entire Rossington family in your prayers and respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s post on Facebook read.

The septuagenarian guitarist had been suffering from various health problems over the past couple of decades, according to the American music and entertainment magazine Billboard. The cause of his death was, however, not mentioned in the obituary note from the band.

Rossington was badly injured in the 1977 plane crash that killed four members —Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom, and drummer Bob Burns— of the legendary Southern rock band.

Rossington broke both his legs, arms and ankles and his pelvis in the crash. However, he rejoined the band after recovering when Van Zant’s brother Johnny reformed the group in 1987. The band had been recording and touring ever since.

Formed in 1964 in Jacksonville, Florida, their 1973 debut album LP featured classic tracks like Gimme Three Steps, Tuesday’s Gone and Simple Man. Rossington co-wrote some of the biggest hits of the band including Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.