Gary Rossington, the lead guitarist and the last surviving founding member of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for hits such as "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" that spread the sound of the South around the world, died on March 5. He was 71.

His death was confirmed by an agent, Ken Levitan, who said he was unable to provide the cause or location of death.

Mr. Rossington, Burns and Van Zant met in the summer of 1964, according to the band's website. After meeting while playing on rival baseball teams in Jacksonville, Fla., an "impromptu afternoon jam session" spurred them to start a band, first under the name My Backyard, then the Noble Five - Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom had joined by then - and the One Percent, before they finally became Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969. The long-haired musicians named the band, in part, after a physical education teacher, Leonard Skinner, who prohibited boys from having long hair.

The band still tours. It was set to appear at a festival in Florida next week, though it was not immediately clear whether the death of Mr. Rossington, who was still an active member, would lead to the cancellation of that event.

"We're still standing, still keeping the music going," Mr. Rossington was quoted as saying on the band's website. "We wanted to do the guys who aren't with us any more proud - and keep the name proud, too."