Ed King has died, his Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmates have announced.
The sad news was announced on Facebook by one of the band’s founding members, Gary Rossington.
He said in a statement: "I’ve just found out about Ed’s passing and I’m shocked and saddened. Ed was our brother, and a great songwriter and guitar player. I know he will be reunited with the rest of the boys in Rock and Roll Heaven. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sharon and his family."
The classic rocker, who co-wrote the band’s biggest hit Sweet Home Alabama, was 68.
He died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on Wednesday.
Another post was shared on his Facebook account, which read: "It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Ed King who died at his home in Nashville, Tennessee on August 22nd, 2018.
"We thank his many friends and fans for their love and support of Ed during his life and career."
Rolling Stone reported that Ed has been battling lung cancer and that he’d been hospitalised for the disease, although a cause of death has not yet been announced.
California-born Ed, who was married to Sharon Brock, was a also founding member of 60s band Strawberry Alarm Clock, famous for their hit Incense and Peppermints.
He offered to join Lynyrd Skynyrd after opening for the band at a bar in Florida in 1968 and later signed up with the famous group as a temporary replacement for bassist Leon Wilkeson in 1972.
He went on to become the group’s third guitarist.
Ed recorded on the band’s first three albums and helped pen their biggest hit. It’s him who counts in the "1, 2, 3" intro on Sweet Home Alabama.
He later quit the band in 1975 following a fight with singer Ronnie Van Zant.
He said he also grew tired of the band’s propensity for drama.
He said in documentary If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd: "I’m the hippie from Southern California. I’m not digging the violence part."
Ed’s tour with the band saw him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
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