Lynyrd Skynyrd ProfileFormer Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist and co-writer of the iconic song Sweet Home Alabama, Ed King, has passed away at 68.
The news was confirmed on his Facebook page in a post overnight that read, "It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Ed King who died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 22nd, 2018."
A cause of death has not been confirmed however, Rolling Stone reports that King had been fighting lung cancer.
King played in the southern rock group from 1972 to 1975 and then again from 1987 to 1996 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 with the band.
Guitarist Gary Rossington, the only original member of the band that tours today shared his thoughts on Twitter saying that he knows King "will be reunited with the rest of the boys In Rock & Roll Heaven".
I’ve just found out about Ed’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened. Ed was our brother, and a great Songwriter and Guitar player. I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock & Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and his family. -Gary Rossington
— Lynyrd Skynyrd (@Skynyrd) 23 August 2018
