Today in History - 20th October
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Today in History - 20th October20th October 1977 - Lynyrd Skynyrd members killed in plane crash47 years ago today, a plane carrying the American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd - responsible for hits like Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird - crashed, killing six people and injuring 20 others. Among the dead were lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines. The band released their fifth album Street Survivors in October 1977, however just a few days after its release, tragedy struck. The band were flying from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the next show of their tour, when their plane ran out of fuel. Despite the efforts of the pilots to make an emergency landing, the plane crashed in a wooded area near Gillsburg, Mississippi and broke apart on impact. Survivors, many badly injured, were rescued by locals who rushed to the crash site after hearing the explosion, however six people could not be saved, including the band's lead singer, guitarist, backing vocalist, and assistant manager. The tragedy brought a sudden end to one of America’s most popular rock bands of the 1970s at the peak of their powers. Lynyrd Skynyrd later reformed with surviving members in the late 1980s, however they never achieved the same level of success as before. Like what you read - Why not share this link and tell your friends to subscribe? |
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