Lynyrd Skynyrd founder ill

Lynyrd Skynyrd founder and guitarist Gary Rossington won't be on the ship when the band's "Gimme Three Days" fan cruise gets underway on Friday, January 5th. Rossington has been battling pneumonia since Thanksgiving, but it was never diagnosed, and he wound up spending two weeks in intensive care in a hospital. In addition, he injured his head in a fall that resulted in a concussion, as well as the need for some major dental surgery. Doctors expect Rossington to make a complete recovery, but they've ordered him to stay home until he's no longer weak and has regained his stamina, which could take four to six weeks. To make sure the cruise goes on as planned, Rossington got Nashville-based guitarist and songwriter Pat Buchanan, an old friend of the band, to take his place on the ship.

Rossington's wife Dale, who is one of the backup singers in Lynyrd Skynyrd, will also stay home to care for her husband, and she'll be replaced by fellow backup singer Carol Chase's daughter Raquel Jonsen.

The "Gimme Three Days" cruise, on the Carnival ship Fascination, departs Miami, sails to the Bahamas, then returns on Monday (January 8th). Skynyrd will perform several times while on board, and fans will also get to see 38 Special, Sister Hazel, and Drivin N Cryin, among many others.
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