Founder of Rock Band Lynyrd Skynrd Robert Burns Jr. Dies at 64

The New York Post reports that former drummer and a founding member of the iconic rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Robert Burns Jr., died on Friday, April 3rd in a single-vehicle crash in Georgia.

According to Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman Tracey Watson, the musician's car veered off the road around midnight as it neared a curve near Cartersville, Georgia, hitting a mailbox and a tree. The 64-year old, who was not wearing a seatbelt at the time, was killed in the accident.

Watson went on to share that the single-vehicle accident is curently under investigation, but no further details were available.

Burns was among the five musicians who founded the Southern hard rock band in Jacksonville, Florida. During his tenure with the group, he recorded the classic hits "Sweet Home Alabama," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Free Bird." He departed the group in 1974.

Today, Gary Rossington, a founding member of the band, took to Facebook to express his grief:

"Well, today I'm at a loss for words, but I just remember Bob being a funny guy. He was just so funny, he used to do skits for us and make us laugh all the time, he was hilarious!
Ironically, since we played Jacksonville yesterday. Dale, my daughter and I, went by the cemetery to see some of the guys in the band and my parents grave sites. On the way back, we went by Bob Burns old house, it was there in the carport where we used to first start to practice with Skynyrd. My heart goes out to his family and God bless him and them in this sad time. He was a great great drummer."

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