RIP: The last founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington, dead at 71

[thewayne]

As a lot of people know, the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, Southern Rock gods, was largely wiped out in a plane crash in 1977, including ace guitarist Ronny Van Zandt. Gary Rossington, guitarist who did the slide on Free Bird, WAS IN THAT PLANE AND SURVIVED! At least until now. He was lead and rhythm guitar for Skynyrd. After recovering from the crash, he went on as a founder of the Rossington Collins Band along with other remaining members of the band.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/gary-rossington-lynyrd-skynyrd-dead-1209960

The plane that killed the band was being considered by Aerosmith. Their flight operations director inspected the plane and didn't like it, but the deal was sealed - or canceled, actually - when he saw the pilot and copilot smoking and drinking Jack Daniels in the cockpit. Skynryrd had decided to buy a Lear Jet, as befitted their status, and gone for one last flight in that aged and antiquated Convair.

One flight too many.

After the crash, Skynyrd went on hiatus, reforming only once to play Free Bird.

Details of the infamous plane crash:
https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/remembering-lynyrd-skynyrds-deadly-1977-plane-crash-2-195371/

Comments

[disneydream06]

I just saw that news a few minutes ago. :(
Hugs, Jon

[captainsblog]

Sweet Home Alabama may be unique in modern music history as the only song to both answer and be answered by others.

Answering: Neil Young's Southern Man

Answered: Warren Zevon's Play It All Night Long