Longtime .38 SPECIAL and founding LYNYRD SKYNYRD bassist Larry Junstrom has died at the age of 70.
.38 SPECIAL confirmed the news in a statement on their Facebook page: “The Big Man on the Big Bass has left us. He rocked arenas all over the world and succeeded in living his dream.
“He was truly one of a kind, a congenial traveling companion and a great friend to all with a humorous slant on life that always kept our spirits high — a kind man with a big heart for everyone who crossed his path. There will never be another like him. We are sending our devoted love, strength and comfort to his wife Thania and Larry’s family. We will miss our friend and partner.”
Junstrom was the bass guitarist of LYNYRD SKYNYRD from its formation in 1964, until being replaced by Leon Wilkeson in 1971. Donnie Van Zant, the younger brother of the LYNYRD SKYNYRD leader, Ronnie Van Zant, formed .38 SPECIAL in 1974, with Junstrom joining as the bass guitarist in 1977.
