_Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973 (Ed King is third from right, behind)_

Ed King, the former guitarist for southern rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died at the age of 68. A statement on King’s Facebook page confirming that the musician passed away on Wednesday in his Nashville home also thanked “his many friends and fans for their love and support of Ed during his life and career.”

Though no cause of death was mentioned, Rolling Stone notes that King had recently been battling lung cancer.

As a young musician in Southern California, King co-founded late-‘60s psychedelic rock outfit Strawberry Alarm Clock, who are best known for their hit “Incense and Peppermints.” After that group disbanded, King moved to the southern United States and was invited to join Lynyrd Skynyrd as the band’s third guitarist in 1972. King played on Skynyrd’s first three studio albums, 1973’s (Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd), 1974’s Second Helping and 1975’s Nuthin’ Fancy before leaving the group following a confrontation with singer Ronnie Van Zandt in 1975. King also co-wrote one of the group’s most iconic songs, “Sweet Home Alabama,” and was part of Skynyrd’s reunion tours from 1987 to 1996.

Guitarist Gary Rossington, who still tours under the Lynyrd Skynyrd name, reacted to King’s death with his own Facebook post, writing, “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.”