Lynyrd Skynyrd Drummer Bob Burns Dies in Car Crash at 64

Bob Burns, the original drummer and a founding member of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a car crash in Cartersville, Georgia, on Friday. He was 64.

According to the Associated Press, Burns’ vehicle veered off-road just before midnight on Friday, striking a mailbox and a tree.

He was not wearing a seatbelt and was the only person in the car during the single-vehicle accident, which is still under investigation.

Burns, whose full name is Robert Burns Jr., was one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s five founding members. He left the Southern hard rock group in 1974 after playing drums on their first two albums, 1973’s “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)” and 1974’s “Second Helping.” The band had recorded such hits as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” by then. Artimus Pyle replaced him as drummer for 1975’s “Nuthin’ Fancy.”

Burns rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd onstage more than three decades later at the band’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony performance in 2006.