One of the founding members of the Southern rock back was involved in a car crash Friday night in Georgia.
- Apr 6, 2015
AceShowbiz - The founding member and ex-drummer of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Burns, died in a car crash Friday night, April 3 in Georgia, according to police and his father. He was 64.
His car went off the road after having a sharp turn which made his car strike a tree. He did not wear seat belt at the time and died on the scene, said Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman Tracey Watson.
Lynyrd Skynyrd's member Gary Rossington posted a statement on the band's Facebook page to confirm Burns' death. "Today I'm at a loss for words, but I just remember Bob being a funny guy," Rossington wrote, remembering Burns as a joker who used to "make us laugh all the time." Rossington added, "My heart goes out to his family and God bless him and them in this sad time. He was a great, great drummer."
Burns formed Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 with other four members of the band. Before the band became famous, they recorded "Sweet Home Alabama", "Gimme Three Steps", and "Free Bird". He unfortunately left the band in 1974. The band, however, collapsed after its singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist/vocalist Steve Gaines and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines died in a plane crash in Mississippi.
Burns' father, Robert Burns Sr. Early, said that he continued to play for fun or in guest appearances nationally. "He was a product of his mother, so far as manners is concerned," he said. "He had the manners that would suit the King of England. Very soft-spoken and extremely well-mannered person to come out of that kind of industry."
