October 20, 1977: The Day Lynyrd Skynyrd Lost Ronnie, Steve, & Cassie
on Oct 17, 2024
Three Members Of Lynyrd Skynyrd Were Killed In A Plane Crash On October 20, 1977
It was October 20, 1977. For four years leading up to that, a group of young Florida rockers had been taking the music industry by storm. Their songs ranged from bluesy tunes to rock and roll masterpieces, and they quickly became American anthems.
That group was named Lynyrd Skynyrd.
What started as a bunch of young kids who just loved playing music eventually turned into one of the greatest rock bands to ever exist. With songs under their belt such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Simple Man,” and the iconic “Free Bird,” Skynyrd was poised at the top of the music world in 1977.
But one tragic day in October changed everything in the blink of an eye.
The date was October 20, 1977. Three days before that, Skynyrd had released their fifth studio album, Street Survivors.
For some members of the group, it was the final album they ever recorded.
What Happened On That Tragic October Day…
With new music out, Skynyrd traveled around the country to play at various gigs. On October 20, they had just wrapped up a show in South Carolina and were all set to head to their next performance in Louisiana.
The band and crew loaded up on their chartered Convair CV-240, completely unaware of the life-altering event that would occur moments later.
The plane carrying Southern rock’s shining stars started to run out of fuel as it neared the end of its flight. While the pilots attempted to make an emergency landing, they were unable to do so.
The plane crashed in the forest outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi, and the course of Southern Rock was changed forever.
Remembering Those We Lost On October 20, 1977
The pilot, Captain Walter McCreary, and co-pilot, First Officer William Gray, both died in the crash. The band’s assistant road manager, Dean Kilpatrick, was also killed.
Cassie Gaines, who was part of Skynyrd’s group of background singers known as “The Honkettes,” was another who lost her life that day.
The previous year, Cassie’s brother, Steve Gaines, joined the group as a guitarist. Steve penned four of the songs on Street Survivors and had a future full of potential.
It was a potential he never got to realize, because he also lost his life on that tragic day.
Ronnie Van Zant, Skynyrd’s fearless leader and lead vocalist, often told family and friends that he would never live past the age of 30. They all dismissed him, but Ronnie knew his fate.
Ronnie was three months shy of turning 30 on the day that Skynyrd’s plane crashed, claiming his life along with the lives of Cassie, Steve, Dean, William, and Walter.
After A Hiatus, Skynyrd Resumed Singing With Ronnie’s Brother, Johnny Van Zant, At The Helm
Miraculously, the other 20 passengers on the plane survived, although many were severely injured.
Following the crash, Skynyrd went on a ten-year hiatus, and the various members took time to pursue side projects. They finally came back together for a tribute tour in 1987, with Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny Van Zant, leading the charge.
The tribute tour became so much more. It proved Skynyrd’s unshakeable strength in the wake of tragedy. It proved they could carry on despite the heartbreak they endured.
Skynyrd has released multiple albums since October 20, 1977. They’ve recorded many more Southern Rock anthems. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. And they continue to keep the memory of their lost sister and brothers alive. They do so by performing their classic hits for crowds around the world.
In the opening to “Free Bird,” Ronnie sings, “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?” The answer to his question would be a resounding “yes.”
