Did you know that there are no original members remaining in the band as of March 2023? Let's dive deeper.
On Oct 20, 1977, three original members of the band were killed in a chartered plane crash in McComb, Mississippi. The plane apparently ran out of fuel mid-flight due to an engine malfunction that was guzzling extra fuels. The pilot landed in a heavily wooded area when it attempted an emergency landing. One surviving member, Artimus Pyle was able to find a nearby home and gain emergency assistance at the crash site despite having broken ribs. The individuals that passed away are as follows:
Ronnie Van Zant
Steve Gaines (guitarist/vocalist)
Cassie Gaines (backing vocalist and Steve's sister)
Dean Kilpatrick (assistant road manager)
Captain McCreary (Pilot)
First Officer William John Gray (Pilot)
This crash occurred just three days after the release of "Street Survivors" and Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded for 10 years.
Now, let's go back in time and see how it all started... in Jacksonville, Florida. Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, and Gary Rossington played baseball against each other... which somehow led to a jam session in Burn's carport (Van Zant hit a line drive into Burns shoulder blade which led to a conversation). Later they added Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom and they began to perform. They went through multiple names before landing on Lynyrd Skynyrd.
*Side Note: The name was partially inspired by their gym coach, Leonard Skinner, who forbid boys from having long hair. See the image below found through a Google search:
The other portion of the name came from a character, Leonard Skinner, discussed in the 1963 song by Allen Sherman, "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh".
Throughout the next years issues, pressures, and disagreements led to changes in the band. This led to Ed King leaving who was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976 who was the first and last person to join Ronnie as a co-vocalist. Bob Burns left for his health in 1974 and was replaced by Artimus Pyle the same year.
The band reformed in 1987 in a tribute tour and new album with Johnny Van Zant (little brother of Ronnie) as the lead vocalist and previous guitarist Ed King. The tribute was so successful, that the band decided to keep going. This lead to the album, Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991, the band's 6th studio album.
Gary Rossington, guitarist, passed away at age 71 which left none of the original members in the band. He was the inspiration behind "That Smell" when he survived a horrific car crash with a tree in 1976 then he survived the plane crash discussed above with two broken arms, a broken leg, a punctured stomach and liver. He passed away after multiple heart surgeries.
The current L.S. group consists of:
Johnny Van Zant (lead vocalist)- 1987
Rickey Medlocke (guitarist and vocalist)- 1996
Michael Cartellone (drummer)- 1999
Mark Matejka (guitarist)- 2006
Peter Keys (keyboardist)- 2009
Keith Christopher (bassist)- 2017
Dale Krantz-Rossington (backup vocalist)-1987
Carol Chase (backup vocalist)-1996
Damon Johnson (guitarist)- 2021
Check out some of their songs on our August 2024 Playlist.
My Thoughts:
Honestly, the only thing that I knew about Lynyrd Skynyrd directly was that they originated the song "Simple Man" which is the song that I belt very loudly and direct at my son who is now 20 years old. I listened to one of their records earlier this evening and I can say that I have been listening to them for quite a few years now.
As sad as the information above is, I choose to see the positives that came from the tragedy. It's a story of a pheonix that rose from the ashes. A story of strength, determination and a tribute to the originals that changed music forever.
Special thanks to the fallen band members for giving us your musical souls.
Written By: Rebekah
