The musician, who underwent a heart bypass in 2003, had been scheduled for surgery on the organ when he had the attack, and doctors subsequently repaired two heart stents and added a third.

Gary is now resting at home in Atlanta, Georgia ahead of another procedure to add a fourth stent later this month (Oct15), and the band has called off concerts in Indiana on Friday (16Oct15) and Michigan on Saturday (17Oct15) so he can recover.

The shows are set to be rescheduled for next year (16).

Gary thanked fans and promised he would be back on the tour as soon as possible, writing to CMT.com, "I just wanted to thank everyone for all the well wishes and support. I am feeling better and taking it one day at a time and getting excellent care and support from my doctor and family... I will be back before you know it. It's gonna take more than a lil ol' heart attack to keep me down. Much love and see you all soon!"

Singer Johnny Van Zant says, "He's doing good... He's at home in Atlanta resting. Everything seems to be OK. But Gary's a tough guy. He's lived through plane crashes, automobile wrecks and everything else. I'm just glad that God works in mysterious ways. He was at home in Atlanta (when he fell ill), and not on the road where things could have been worse."

The rockers plan to resume their tour on 7 November (15) in Alabama.

In 1977, Gary survived a plane crash near Mississippi, which claimed the lives of bandmates Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and three others.