Larry Junstrom, who performed with two of Jacksonville’s best known bands, has died at the age of 70.
“The Big Man on the Big Bass has left us. He rocked arenas all over the world and succeeded in living his dream,” 38 Special wrote on its Facebook page.
Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote, “Rest Easy, LJ, you will always be remembered as the big man on the big bass.”
Junstrom was a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1964, according to Guitar.com and several other music history sources. UltimateClassicRock.com reported Junstrom left the group in 1971, prior to the recording of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album.
He was a member of 38 Special from 1977 to 2014.
"My first show with 38 Special was the [1977] Super Bowl of Rock," Junstrom told Swampland.com in 2003.
In that same interview he talked about growing up on Jacksonville’s Westside. “The Westside is a rough area to live in and you really had to know how to fight your way out at times,” he said.
Junstrom appeared on all 12 of 38 Special's studio albums, from their self-titled 1977 debut until 2004's Drivetrain, according to UltimateClassicRock.com.
He had been living in Interlachen since his retirement, according to Clay Today.
A cause of death wasn't immediately announced.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
