A message on King’s Facebook confirmed his death: “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.”
"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," a message on King's Facebook page said.
Rolling Stone reports King died Wednesday after a long battle with lung cancer. A cause of death has not been named, but he was hospitalized recently for the disease.
King joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972, replacing bassist Leon Wilkeson before becoming a full-time member and the southern rock group's third guitarist. He played on the band's first three albums, and co-wrote "Sweet Home Alabama" -- his voice is heard counting "1, 2, 3" in the iconic 1974 song's intro.
King was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, along with Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Steve Gaines, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Bob Burns, and Artimus Pyle. Van Zant and Gaines were killed in a plane crash in 1977.
"I've just found out about Ed's passing and I'm shocked and saddened," Rossington wrote on Facebook Thursday. "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."
