The death of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington draws the curtain closed on a Southern Rock opera.

The article focuses on the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and its last surviving co-founder, guitarist Gary Rossington, who recently passed away. It discusses the band's significant role in shaping Southern rock, a genre characterized by its raw blues rock sound and cultural ties to the South, while also addressing the band's evolving political associations over the decades. Initially part of the American counterculture, Lynyrd Skynyrd's image shifted towards a more conservative stance, particularly after the tragic plane crash in 1977 that claimed the lives of several original members. The article highlights the complexities of the band's identity, including their controversial use of the Confederate flag and their influence on both rock and country music audiences. [Extracted from the article]