Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist Ed King Passes

Ed King

LYNYRD SKYNYRD guitarist ED KING died WEDNESDAY in NASHVILLE at the age of 68. ROLLING STONE reports. Although no cause of death was specified, KING recently was hospitalized for lung cancer.

A message on KING’s FACEBOOK page confirmed his death: “It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of ED KING who died at his home in NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE on AUGUST 22nd, 2018. We thank his many friends and fans for their love and support of ED during his life and career.”

Guitarist GARY ROSSINGTON said on the band's page. “I’ve just found out about ED’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened,” he said. “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 and Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

CALIFORNIA native, KING helped launch the psychedelic '60s band STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK. He would join LYNYRD SKYNYRD in 1972, temporarily replacing bassist LEON WILKESON before becoming a full-fledged member as third guitarist.

He's perhaps best known for co-writing “Sweet Home Alabama;” he can be heard counting off “1, 2, 3” in the song’s intro. KING left the band in 1975 after a dust-up with singer RONNIE VAN ZANT.

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