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Been a few of these over the years than mean either individuals or whole bands have been cut off in their prime. Feel free to add to remember lost talents.
I'd have been a nipper at the time and it's only fairly recently I learnt of the tragic turn of events on the night of October 20, 1977, when the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd between gigs came down en route to Louisiana. Who knows how large they could have ended up, but they seemed to have the world in their hands (they're still going after Ronnie Van Zant's brother took over vocals after a big gap, but are a pale imitation now).
I went down the YouTube rabbit hole one night, probably after a few beers (as you do). The story of the events leading up to the crash, and the crash itself, is fascinating and painfully frustrating given they frame the whole thing as easily avoidable. This from a survivor:
I first saw Skynyrd in 74 when they supported Golden Earring and then every tour after that. They were absolutely brilliant and, in my opinion, were destined to be one of the greatest rock bands ever. The crash was so tragic.
Van Zandt predicted he wouldn’t get to thirty.
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Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 20:02 - Jul 4 with 688 views
Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 19:36 - Jul 4 by BlueNomad
I first saw Skynyrd in 74 when they supported Golden Earring and then every tour after that. They were absolutely brilliant and, in my opinion, were destined to be one of the greatest rock bands ever. The crash was so tragic.
Van Zandt predicted he wouldn’t get to thirty.
Wow, living the dream. I stumbled across them very late (40+ years too late!); although I'd heard sweet Sweet Home Alabama years ago of course and dismissed it as not hard enough, stupidly. I'd struggle to think of a better stadium performance than of that performance of Freebird from the Oakland Coliseum that I posted above. You can imagine them absolutely smashing festivals and stadium gigs over the last 20 years or so. Perfect in every way. It must have been amazing to see them live in their prime.
That was particularly spooky in the documentaries about the crash. Van Dalt had a gut feeling he wouldn't live long, and several of them had more recent feelings that they really shouldn't get back on the plane, but their manager convinced them. Terrible stuff. I can't imagine what was going through their minds as they were gliding, powerless down to meet their deaths/injuries.
Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 19:36 - Jul 4 by BlueNomad
I first saw Skynyrd in 74 when they supported Golden Earring and then every tour after that. They were absolutely brilliant and, in my opinion, were destined to be one of the greatest rock bands ever. The crash was so tragic.
Van Zandt predicted he wouldn’t get to thirty.
Curiously a thread on here titled something like 'If we rejoined the EU tomorrow' got me wanting to hear 'Freebird' again (Would you still want to Leave?) and either on Wikipedia or in the comments under the YouTube Knebworth clip I found a story about Mick Jagger suddenly appearing in their dressing room or thereabouts and demanding that they do not use the stage extension - that was there only for the Stones to use. Hence the reticence on the part of the two guitarists and the firm but gently prompting fro Van Zandt to get them rocking out as far towards the Knebworth crowd as possible. I wonder if they got paid that day?
Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 21:37 - Jul 4 by Swansea_Blue
Wow, living the dream. I stumbled across them very late (40+ years too late!); although I'd heard sweet Sweet Home Alabama years ago of course and dismissed it as not hard enough, stupidly. I'd struggle to think of a better stadium performance than of that performance of Freebird from the Oakland Coliseum that I posted above. You can imagine them absolutely smashing festivals and stadium gigs over the last 20 years or so. Perfect in every way. It must have been amazing to see them live in their prime.
That was particularly spooky in the documentaries about the crash. Van Dalt had a gut feeling he wouldn't live long, and several of them had more recent feelings that they really shouldn't get back on the plane, but their manager convinced them. Terrible stuff. I can't imagine what was going through their minds as they were gliding, powerless down to meet their deaths/injuries.
They were still pretty good in the late '90s and early 2000s. Tho they really are running out of members now, with the Cat in the Hat and the Billy Powell both gone.
They were on the verge of being the biggest band in the planet, very sad. Saw them in Birmingham about 15 yesterday ago and they we're brilliant even with the amended line up. Top 3 band with ACDC and the Stones
Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 22:04 - Jul 4 by Guthrum
They were still pretty good in the late '90s and early 2000s. Tho they really are running out of members now, with the Cat in the Hat and the Billy Powell both gone.
Gary Rossington has given up. Rickey Medlock had been the original drummer (before their first album) but left to form and play guitar in Blackfoot. He has played in Skynyrd for years.
They completely blew the Stones away at Knebworth.
I loved that band. Never thought I’d chat about them on here!
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Band tragedies - the Lynyrd Skynyrd version on 23:19 - Jul 4 with 525 views
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