In a world where ancient history is anything that happened more than two months ago, the death of Gary Rossington may not have meant much to many.

But for old rock fans like me,  it was another example of how my favorite rock stars are aging, and yes, dying.

Rossington was one of the founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He survived the plane crash in 1977 that took the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and back-up singer Cassie Gaines. He was back with the group when Ronnie’s brother Johnny Van Zant reformed the band. I was there, along with my mother who got me interested in music at a young age, on the front row at the old Starwood Amphitheatre at Volunteer Jam when the new version of the band made its debut to a sold out audience.

While I admit, I have tired of hearing “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” on classic rock radio stations, Lynyrd Skynyrd was part of the wave of Southern rock that filled the airwaves and arenas in the mid-to-late 1970s. The Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws and The Allman Brothers Band were all vibrant parts of the music scene at that time and their music still is relevant to me as well as recalling a great period in my life.

Back in November of 2022 Christine McVie, the keyboardist and a co-lead vocalist for Fleetwood Mac, passed away. She joined Fleetwood Mac in 1970 and was a major contributor of songs. The self-titled Fleetwood Mac album in 1975  that included newcomers Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham as well as the “Rumors” album released in 1977 which became a monster best seller included several of  McVie’s songs.

I always loved her smoky, edgy voice and some of her less popular songs are some of my favorites.

Going back even deeper into my musical losses was the 2016 departure of Paul Kantner, a co-founder of Jefferson Airplane in the 1960s who remained with the group through the name changes to Jefferson Starship and simply, Starship. I noticed Starship is going on a tour this year, but this will be almost a tribute band since Kantner has passed away along with co-founder Marty Balin, who died in 2018.  Lead singer Grace Slick has adamantly refused to perform in any sort or reunion tour through the years preferring to spend time as a painter.

I was still in elementary school when the Airplane first flew, but their music made an impact on me then which still lingers recalling the turbulent late 1960s and 70s.

Another voice from that period was silenced in January with the death of David Crosby. I never cared for The Byrds that much, but when he joined Stephen Stills and Graham Nash as CSN the result was harmonious magic. The group also at times included Neil Young. To see them live was purely a magical experience. They were the voices of a generation searching for answers and much of their music is still relevant to some of the issues we are facing today.

We have lost a world of musical talent in recent years and I don’t mean to slight anyone, but music has an impact on listeners and these had a profound impact on me. If you aren’t familiar with them, I urge you to give them a listen.