The Rossington-Collins Band (1979-1982)

The Rossington-Collins Band was an off-shoot of US southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, founded in 1979 by guitarists Allen Collins and Gary Rossington following the tragic 1977 plane crash which killed three members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, thus ending that band's career. Read more...

As a young boy, Gary Rossington dreamed of playing baseball for the New York Yankees. After hearing the Rolling Stones, however, he was inspired to become a musician. From working odd jobs, Gary saved enough money to buy his first guitar, a Sears Silvertone. And the rest, as they say, is history. Gary made a name for himself as a guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band's accomplishments included a devoted fan base, critical acclaim, and several gold and platinum albums. All that ended on October 20, 1977, when the band's chartered airplane crashed in a Mississippi swamp. Although he survived, Gary sustained multiple injuries and broken bones.

The Rossington-Collins Band rose from the ashes of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1979 and released two excellent albums before rock’n roll excess took its toll on both of its founding guitarists and the band broke up in 1982. In 1979 remaining Lynyrd Skynyrd members had recovered enough to play one off show at The Charlie Daniels Band’s Volunteer Jam. They got enthusiastic response from the crowd, which led to formation of The Rossington – Collins Band.