Bob Burns, original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, dies in car crash at age 64

Bob Burns, the drummer for the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a car crash at the age of 64.

BBC News reported that the legendary drummer, who was featured on the first two albums that the band released, died Friday when his car went off the road and struck both a mailbox and a tree. Spokeswoman Tracey Watson with the Georgia State Patrol said Burns did not have his seatbelt on and it was a single car accident with no other passengers.

The band, who also included singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Allen Collins and Garry Rossington, and bassist Larry Junstrom, included Burns beginning in 1966 to 1974. Van Zant was killed in a 1977 plane crash.

When the band was inducted into the 2006 Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, Burns joined the band for one performance. The band still performs with Rossington as the only original member.

On their Facebook page, Rossington remembered Burns. “Well, today I’m at a loss for words, but I just remember Bob being a funny guy.” He described an ironic visit he had with his daughter when they visited the cemetery where former members were buried and they also went to the old house where Burns lived and where they first began practicing as a band.

EFE reported Rossington also said, “My heart goes out to his family and God bless him and them in this sad time. He was a great, great drummer.”