Outlaws' Guitarist Dies at 55

Hughie Thomasson, a founding member of the legendary Southern Rock band The Outlaws, passed away at his home in Brooksville, Florida late Sunday evening. Thomasson, 55, died of a heart attack in his sleep.

Thomasson was a teenager when he joined The Outlaws in the late 1960s. The band was signed by Arista Records and released 12 albums including The Outlaws (1975), Bring It Back Alive (1977) and Ghost Riders in the Sky (1980).

When The Outlaws disbanded, Thomasson joined Lynryd Skynyrd. He toured and recorded with the band for nine years until 2005, when he reformed The Outlaws.

In October 2006, the group performed a benefit concert at the Performing Arts Center at Pasco-Hernando Community College that established a scholarship endowment for PHCC students in The Outlaws' name. The Outlaws recently toured the United States with The Charlie Daniels Band and The Marshall Tucker Band. They also played a festival in Amsterdam with Aerosmith, Scorpions and Tesla.

The Outlaws have completed a new album, Once an Outlaw, which has not yet been released.

A private memorial service for family only is scheduled in honor of Thomasson. A public memorial service will take place on a date yet to be determined.

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