Founding Lynyrd Skynyrd Bass Player Larry Junstrom Has Died
Bass player Larry Junstrom, who was one of the founding members of preeminent Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the long-time bass player for .38 Special, has passed away at the age of 70. He helped form Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964 with Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Bob Burn, playing bass with the band until 1971 when he was replaced by Leon Wilkeson before the band released their first major album.
Though Junstrom was not with Lynyrd Skynyrd during their heyday, he was always considered part of their extended Southern rock family, especially as the longtime member of sister band .38 Special with Ronnie Van Zandt’s younger brother, Donnie. Larry Junstrom appeared on all of .38 Special’s twelve studio albums before retiring from the group in 2014 due to a hand injury.
“The Big Man on the Big Bass has left us,” .38 Special said in a statement Sunday, October 6th. “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. Larry “L.J.” Junstrom 1949 – 2019.”
Born Lawrence E. “Larry” Junstrom on June 22, 1949 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida when he was 10-years-old where he would mature in the epicenter of the Southern rock scene. He showed interest in music early, playing saxophone and clarinet in the 5th and 6th grades before seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, and deciding to pursue rock ‘n roll. His first guitar was a Silvertone 6-string, and he began playing in a cover band called After Five before joining My Back Yard, which later became Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Larry Junstrom met Ronnie Van Zandt when some teenagers were racing beach buggies down his street. One of them crashed, and Junstrom showed up to help push it back upright. Van Zandt told Larry, “Thanks man,” and the two became friends. Junstrom had a better bass rig than the current My Back Yard bass player, and was soon asked to join the band.
After leaving Lynyrd Skynyrd, Junstrom joined .38 Special first as a truck driver and guitar tech, eventually transitioning to bass when a vacancy opened. Junstrom also had a side passion as an amateur radio operator with the call letters K4EB, which translate to “Known 4 Electric Bass.”
October 6, 2019 @ 6:29 pm
Sad news. Skynyrd always remind me of my uncle who taught me to love Southern rock. We lost him this time last year and this band always makes me
nostalgic.
October 6, 2019 @ 8:19 pm
RIP Larry Junstrom. It’s time for the Freebird to fly into the great hereafter.
October 6, 2019 @ 9:04 pm
R I P L.J your talent will be missed!
October 6, 2019 @ 9:12 pm
RIP Larry. Always enjoyed your bass grooves. Sad day in Rock once again.
October 6, 2019 @ 9:47 pm
Very accurate info for the most part except Allen Collins did not attend Robert E. Lee High like the others. He went to Nathan B. Forrest High.
October 6, 2019 @ 10:23 pm
We love you and are gonna miss you LJ
October 6, 2019 @ 10:39 pm
RIP Larry you will be missed they don’t play or write music like the good ole boys thanks for playing for us all these years????
October 6, 2019 @ 10:54 pm
Fly high sweet soul.♡ You always kept a smile on my face. May peace surround your loved ones during this difficult time.
October 7, 2019 @ 5:42 am
Not country related, but Ginger Baker passed yesterday as well.
There’s not a damn drummer alive who doesn’t owe something to Mr. Baker.
October 7, 2019 @ 7:44 am
This Florida boy loved .38 Special as kid in the early ‘80s. Those big AOR choruses have aged pretty well.
October 7, 2019 @ 5:26 pm
“Chain Lightning” kicks so much ass.
October 7, 2019 @ 8:27 am
I am a huge Skynyrd fan i heard of larry junstrom but never heard him Leon was the only Skynyrd bassist i heard but anyone that has any ties To Lynyrd Skynyrd RIP
October 7, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
You are one of the great rock legends you will be missed but never forgotten rock on in rock n roll heaven
October 8, 2019 @ 6:06 pm
Man I loved 38 special! Truly a REAL ROCK-N-ROLL BAND ONE OF A KIND SOUND! everytime I saw them they came out KICKIN ASS AND LEFT THE STAGE THE SAME WAY!
June 22, 2024 @ 6:36 pm
I knew Larry and he was a genius intellectually and had some autist vibes. Ronnie Van Zant and his dad Lacey could get along with anyone and they understood Larry due to that same Northern European heritage genetics and southern hospitality. It was more difficult for some of the peckerwoods but if Ronnie or Lacey said this person was cool you better get in line or you would get put there physically. Larry could have been a scientist or some bookworm making money in an office but that wasn’t his thing. He had musical talent and he had the right connections. He did what he wanted to do virtually every day of his life. Can any of us say that? Rest easy big man.