Ed King, a classic rock musician best known being a guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, died on Wednesday at his home in Nashville, members of his family have confirmed.
He was 68 years old.
King played guitar and bass for the aforementioned Southern rock band from 1972 to 1975. again from 1987 to 1996.
He also co-wrote one of Skynyrd’s most legendary hits, “Sweet Home Alabama,” with Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, although none of them actually hailed from Alabama.
As of this writing, no cause of death has been specified of reported.
But it’s been known for awhile now that King had been battling lung cancer and had recently been hospitalized for the illness.
A message on King’s Facebook confirmed this sad piece of news as it reads as follows:
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.
As you can see below, fans and supporters immediately responded to King’s passing with notes of mourning and sorrow:
King was not with the band in 1977 when Van Zant and two other members were killed in a plane crash.
He rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987, but was allegedly forced to leave the band again in 1996 due to congestive heart failure.
A California native, King was a founding member of the psychedelic 1960s band Strawberry Alarm Clock, known for their hit “Incense and Peppermints.”
He joined Skynyrd years later, temporarily replacing bassist Leon Wilkeson and then becoming a full-fledged member as its third guitarist.
King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, along with all of the other former members of the band.
He was also featured in the recently released Lynyrd Skynyrd documentary, “If I Leave Here Tomorrow,” giving fans ample insight into the beloved group.
Said fellow guitarist Gary Rossington upon learning of King’s death:
“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 and Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
May Ed King rest in peace.
