Read the entire screen before berating me over saying “actual cell phone footage”. If you read the entire text you will see I say JUST KIDDING at the bottom.
Artimus is a local here in Western NC. He is beloved by our community. I finally got my chance to run into him at our Guitar Center. Just as chill, friendly and full of positive vibes as you'd think. He insisted we take a picture together. Love that guy. He's sharp as a tack to boot.
I heard Artimus say himself that when he found out they were gonna crash that he ran to the back of the plane and that’s why he survived. People need to check out his band, the artimus pyle band. They are fantastic!! ❤. He’s an awesome drummer, even in his 70’s!
I also loved how he spoke about how he took care of himself. He was very into health and spirituality. He truly believes that his healthy lifestyle also gave his body the stamina/strength it needed to survive something like that. Incredibly interesting perspective. I do also enjoy his current stuff and I'm so glad you added this! Thank you for being here and for supporting the channel it means the world to me!
My girlfriend and I spent 10 days driving thru the Southeast last year,...including Mississippi. As we were leaving Louisiana and heading towards Tupelo we saw the signs on the interstate for the Lynyrd Skynyrd memorial. As classic rock fans,.who saw the band back in 1977,..and the reunion tour 20 years later we knew that we had to stop. By total coincidence Gene Odum was there telling stories,..signing autographs, and his book with a small group of people and /or volunteers. The memorial(s) were very moving and respectful of all the people that perished that day. Fyi,....the memorials are not at the exact spot of the crash,..as that is on private property close by and is strictly off-limits except for special occasions. With that said,...the memorial area is definitely worth a visit.
You’ve got to be kidding me !!! How cool is that! And what are the odds that Gene was there at that exact moment wow oh wow. This comment just made my day!
Well as a 64 year who graduated high school in 1977, and a lifelong north ALABAMA dude ,i grew up with LYNYRD SKYNYRD fan i thought i knew it all about the plane crash. Learn some new things here. Awesome job here, thank you....Also lost ELVIS a few months earlier...good & bad year for me...seen SKYNYRD about 5 times. RIP to Gary Rossington & the whole band. I saw the ROLLING STONES & SKYNYRD blew them away..!!!!
Sounds like us during the 70s. If a concert was in driving distance we all went. From Allman Bros to Marshall Tucker to Rod Stewart, that's what we did in the 70s. Not to many groups haven't seen. Everybody is gone now, I'm last one. Thanks for sharing.
Facts Dennis! I also heard that L.S. was the more liked band at that show. It's kinda like The Beach Boys doing better than the Beatles in the U.K. the majority of the time.
For all the plane's issues, it didn't go down due to mechanical problems... it went down because it ran out of fuel. Not sure why people are so stuck on the plane's mechanical problems.
Those flames are not from a Convair 240. Pyle was not shot. Pyle had no broken ribs. The only reason anyone survived was because the planes fuel tanks were empty. The plane didn't nose dive. Read the NTSB report.
I do want to let you know I'm looking up the report for the next video! =) Thank you for the tip! The flames were just a generic run-of-the-mill video, though. I said just kidding on the screen just because I had spent so much time trying to find actual footage of things I was personally getting exhausted and thought oh what the hey I'll put in some general footage and say jk! Haha! Also the Pyle shot controversy is REAL! I had no idea the country was so divided on this! LOL! I ask myself, do I even want to make another video addressing if he was shot or not??? But I think we will! Let's light this fire! haha! And you are exactly correct. The fact they were out of fuel kept the plane from lighting on fire which significantly increased the survivor count!! I'm so glad you are here on the channel and part of the Roots Music history family now!
Having been a lifelong Skynyrd fan I still love everything Skynyrd related. But I’ve heard everything and rarely hear anything new. But at the same time I’ve never heard a more in depth Skynyrd plane crash story. While it’s a topic many have gone through this was a more complete in depth true story. I appreciate tying everything together and side notes as you went.
I liked your video here. You supplied allot more information than all the other videos I have seen. I "by a slim chance" got back stage at a concert in Oakland California in 1977. I met Allen, Gary, Ronnie and Steve and had brief conversations with them about guitars and amps. I had played, repaired, and built custom guitars for several years at that time. My brief conversation with Ronnie was about Neil young. He was wearing a t-shirt with Neil Young's picture on it. I pointed to his shirt and jokenly said "NEIL YOUNG?", he replied "A peace offering" and laughed. They then went on to play an outstanding performance. Allen had given me a phone number to contact someone about possibly becoming a guitar tec for them. I had hitch hiked from Columbus Ohio to California with a friend and like I said, by a slim and crazy chance' got to go to and back stage at this concert. Exactally 109 days when I made it back to Ohio that tragic plane crash happen. There was never an answer from the number Allen gave me after that. Such a sad, sad day and I still feel the heartbreak from that day. Excellent video you did. Thank you for your time and effort here. Deeply appreciated!!! 🥰
I read this comment three or four times! This is my favorite one! I am going to pin this to the top if that's okay with you! First of all thank you so so much for the positive feedback! I know I'm an amateur and never expected a little old youtube video to bring me to where I am today with the channel, but I am having the time of my life researching and sharing these stories with you all. It's comments like this that really bring me to life, where someone has a personal experience to share! I am also laughing that the result of hitchiking led to you getting BACKSTAGE! HOLY COW!!!! I'm laughing as well at the Neil Young peace offering. I should do a whole roots just on Neil Young ( I briefly speak of him in the Crosby Stills & Nash episode, but there is jsut SO much there! lol!) I also want to highlight the fact you played, repaired and built custom guitars!!! I think you would love this story I just did about a 619 year-old tree that was one of George Washington's trees on a field hospital he ran in the Revolutionary War. It is said that Betsy Ross along with 35+ Revolutionary War Veterans were buried underneath this tree. Ultimately the tree died and they tasked a man named Dave Schneck with memorializing the tree. He decided to make guitars out of it! I interviewed all the guitar manufacturers and luthiers who had a hand in these builds and it's quite fascinating. Here's the link to that: th-cam.com/video/qliUA1QjIi4/w-d-xo.html
the Doctors and the pathologist have stated Dean died on impact - his injuries were far to severe to have been able to help Gary - It's a damn shame these survivors have not been compensated for this negligence
There's am interview with artimus about 4-5 days after the wreck...he said then that he had no broken bones. They initially thought ribs, but x-rays ( according to him in 1977) were negative. I'd believe that over anything he's said in the past 30 years. Even if he thinks he's being honest, peoples memories can become distorted...doesn't mean they're lying. But he's a storyteller for sure.
@scuvasteev you have peaked my interest now!!! You've woken the beast! haha! I spent all day today printing out newspaper articles and am currently going through interviews - AAAAAND - I am prepping a full Roots Rockumentary Deep Dive into this very controversial topic! Ya'll brace yourselves lol!
I’ve also heard a number of times through the years that Aerosmith walked away from this plane a few weeks prior. They didn’t think it was very safe or a good deal
Gary has told several stories with spiritual events . He even said that he spoke to Ronnie who was walking around as well . Artie has told different stories as well . Even the farmer denied actually shooting Artie . Near death experience can cause all these foggy and embellished memories . I have been there as well .
I was actually at the crash site that night and the following days. I was 12 years old. It was a very eerie scene. I remember it very well. They had Ronnie's body in a blue van and he was laying on a piece of plastic stretched across the floor. His feet were hanging out of the back door. It was horrible.
Are you from around here? if so, where ? If you were there too let me know, maybe we can compare stories. I was staying with a friend that night. He lived on Mixon Rd. near the crash site. we could hear the helicopters and the phone started ringing so we all went down there. I used to have a concert program with a picture of Ronnie with his back turned towards the camera. I picked it up off of the ground. It had blood spatter on it. somehow or another it got lost over the years. I wish I still had it. Like I said if you were there too let me know. Hell we may even know each other. @@ajwilliams3872
Thank you so so much!! These words mean so much to me. I'm still learning the ropes of my new camera and set up and youtube in general but comments like this inspire me to do more, that's for sure! I'm so glad you are part of the Roots family!
WOW, excellent documentary. Amazing response to rescue the passengers of this flight. The reason that there would be flames coming from the engine is because the carburetor is giving the engine too much fuel. The bottom line is that the flight crew did not monitor the engines and fuel consumption properly. The pilot and co-pilot were not very skilled with this model of aircraft and did not really understand the proper operation of these radial engines. I am type rated in the Convair series, meaning that I am a captain. There was no fire because they ran out of fuel. The engines did not fail, they ran out of fuel. Absolutely a tragic event and a big loss for humanity.
The “Honkettes” weren’t a band per se’ That was just the nickname given to Cassie, Leslie and Jo Jo by RVZ. I’m not correcting errs with a smartass, negative tone, just pitching in. This is a well done, thorough documentation of the Skynyrd crash ✈️ 💥💥🔥💨
Thank you so much for the kind words!! Thank you for being here! And for supporting the channel! And most of all for being a part of the Roots Music Family! We have some fun on here =)
I was 12 years old. It was unusually warm in Apalachiia for that time of year.I can remember Harry Reasoner with ABC World News announcing the breaking news, with no details and thats how the news ended. I didn't even know who Lynyrd Skynyrd was. Now they are in my Top 3 bands of all time.
I was standing in a gas station in rock springs Wyoming leaning against a old cooler or fridge listening to the radio when this was reported over the radio. It was 1977. I was so shocked when I heard this. I was filling up my company truck to go out to the oilfield.
Oh my goodness! What an incredible account. I'm so glad you shared your perspective/where you were when you heard this news- comments like this are just incredible to me and bring a whole new/deeper meaning to the videos.
Artimus said to HUG a tree for energy not touch a tree! LOL! That plane crash was caused by very dumb pilots not doing their job correctly before you take off you ALWAYS check the dip stick to see how much fuel you have in the Convair CV-240. I personally love those old prop jobs! If you take care of the plane, the plane will take care of you! The co-pilot didn't do that and both pilots didn't realize with that right engine running hot it would burn a lot more fuel and it would burn it very inefficiently. They never looked at their fuel gauge when they did they made a very bad judgement thinking they would make it to Louisiana. and then turning around with less then 5 min of power left! Any pilot would know to climb and get as much height as possible but not those two pilots. The pilots were more worried about having to land and refuel and write out an FAA report as to why they miscalculated the correct fuel from South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When they crashed Artimus found Walter McCreary the Captain hanging over a tree branch the First Officer William John Gray was beheaded. right before they hit the trees Walter trying to save at least one of them told Co-pilot to take cover in the small kitchen area behind the cockpit. The small partition did nothing to soften the impact something in that kitchen area beheaded him as the plane crashed. Dean Kilpatrick 100% could not of pulled the door off of Gary Rossington. On impact a metal pole blasted thru the back of the seat and impaled dean Kilpatrick there by sealing in dean to his seat until rescuers cut that pole to remove him. Poor Cassie Gaines died on impact from a broken neck. Her little brother Steve Gaines was alive for a little while after the plane crash but died shortly afterward. ***NOTE**** Most reports don't mention who or which one of the Gaines died they only said one of the Gaines died instantly and the other was alive after impact but died a short time later. I just guessed if Cassie had a broken neck she couldn't possible be alive so it had to be her brother. Artimus had the least amount of injury due to him going towards the back of the plane he knew the safest spot on a plane from both his pilot dad and his knowledge of planes. Gary Rossington was knocked unconscious having both arms and legs broken one of his legs was barely hanging on by just the skin. Leon Wilkerson died 3 times and all 3 times they brought him back. If you notice the one who got the least hurt has very noticeable PTSD that has never been addressed back then they didn't know about things like that. I always wished a doctor would have helped him with that. With most of the others being so hurt and knocked out they missed the worst part of the crash which is right after they hit and people are trying to get out of the plane. If Artimus was also knocked out i think he would of bounced back like everyone else. I know Gary accused Artimus of running away but the farmers said no he went and got them to help and wanted them to bring their tractor and tools to help his friends. Last is Ronnie Van Zant! Gary Odom picked Ronnie off the floor and buckled him in between Gary Rossington and Leon Wilkerson. Gary Odom left and tried to run to the back of the plane but as he did the wing came off the middle of the plane cracked and Gary Odom fell thru the plane was knocked out and landed under the wing where his eyes were burnt with chemicals leaking out of the wing. Gary said as he turned to run Ronnie unbuckled his seat belt and at impact everything that was bolted down went to the left front of the plane in the direction of where dean Kilpatrick sat. Ronnie flew and hit the back wall and then chairs tables some people were all being pressed into that one area Gary said with all that pressure and weight Ronnie would of been unable to breath with so many people and things on top of him but others made it because Ronnies body cushioned the impact for everyone that landed in that area and Ronnie was wouldn't of known what was going on being half out from sleeping pills. In the end the FAA determined Crew inattention to fuel supply" was ultimately determined to be responsible for the crash. I added this for anyone who wanted to know the details I always think it's important to know why. This is what the NSB report said- The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply. Contributing to the fuel exhaustion were inadequate flight planning and an engine malfunction of undetermined nature in the right engine that resulted in "torching" and higher-than-normal fuel consumption. -NTSB Accident Report If you want more info and read it yourself- Link- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd_plane_crash
Artimus Pyle is an egomaniac! Watch the movie he made about the plane crash, he is depicted as a hero. It’s all about me,me,me with Artimus in that movie, according to this movie, Artimus is the only one who saved the survivors, & his brave trek to go find help is SO dramatized. The movie might as well been titled “The Artimus Pyle Show, how I saved the day” suck it ego hero!
Not all who were sitting up front died. Kevin Elson was sitting right across from Ronnie and he survived. He went on to be the FOH and producer for Journey producing both Escape and Frontiers.
kevin elson was sitting behind the bulkhead wall then gary then dean ronnie was laying underneath them .....directly across from them was dean steve and allen
Not bad - as mentioned by others, every LS documentary usually tells a different version of events. For example, I’ve heard about 10 different versions describing RVS’s last moments. Two things I’ve heard here for 1st time and I doubt - 1) Artemis being shot by farmer; 2) Billy walking to get help (he was in no shape to walk anywhere).
Kevin Elson went on to become quite the record producer in later years. He did a lot of work with Journey (Escape) in the studio and on tour, as well as work with many other bands like Mr. Big and Europe (The Final Countdown anybody). My buddy, who was a monitor engineer for Journey, while Kevin was their front of house engineer, asked Kevin what was up with the limp when he walked. He used to tell me that everyone loved to fly with Kevin, because they figured there was statistically no way Kevin would be involved in a second plane crash.
I’m 22:50 into this but I recall Artemis saying one of the pilots engaged the landing gear when they we’re hitting the trees preparing to land in the field and the landing gear hitting the trees caused the plane to dip to a 45* angle and if they didn’t lower the landing gear they might have made it to the field, great research btw you told the situation in great detail, just as I heard it but in even greater detail, they hold a special place in my heart and you tell details I’ve heard and even more, and quality is more important that quantity
Oh my. these comments make everything so worth it. Thank you so very much for the kind words and for supporting the channel! Hopefully you have seen/see the Randy Rhoads/other episodes and feel the same way!! Thank you again!
Considering there were 26 occupants on the plane with 6 fatalities, how is having luggage tags emblazoned "Survivors" be considered creepy when 20 survived? More prescient, if anything...
this girl probably wasn't even born yet when this happened (i was only 9) and yet this clip is the best i've seen yet about the incident and i'm a bigtime longtime 'SKYNYRD' fan. i learned tons of new thangs i didn't know before from this vid. excellent work.
I'm a Skynyrd fan and cry every time I hear this story😪but I've heard both sides of the story too. I don't know if they ran out of gas or just crashed???
The farmer claims he never shot Artimus. I'll leave that between Artimus and the farmer. I've seen an interview with the farmer in more recent years. He seemed like a pretty cool dude.
I am from Jacksonville, Fl. , born and raised. I was born in 77 so I wasn’t as fortunate to see them live (the original group) but I love every bit of their music!!!
I used to play music at a hotel near a major airport where the pilots stayed overnight. I was shocked how many pilots stayed in the lounge till closing and how heavily they drank and that they were scheduled to fly out at 5am
YIKES! Every time I take a morning flight I am eyeing the pilots walking in with their coffee LOL. Sheesh. That's terrifying. And surgeons/nurses are another fright.
I thought you were a TikTocker just reading stories..MY BAD. I've looked this story up many times, but never got as much detail as you mention. Great work on this!
Nice Presentation of a known story! I was lucky enough to sit down with Artimus Pyle and have a great conversation with him about 2008. He signed my Dejembe Drum R.I.P R V Z and beneath it Artimus Pyle Drummer Lynyrd Skynyrd He actually asked me " you sure you want me to Sign this? He was more than Friendly and pleasant with his time and told me a Story about Janis Joplin..... but that's another story Thx
Oh my goodness. Thank you so so much! That means so much to me, honestly! Hopefully you have seen or see the Randy Rhoads/Don McLean/HarryChapin videos, too and feel the same way! It's so important to me to keep these stories alive. Thank you for being here ❤🎵
I just dont see how stupid you could be not to put fuel in a damn plane . Those 2 flying took away a great band all because they didnt fuel the plane !
Great job explaining this amazing, but sad story..still, how all these strangers came together is a true testament of love for our brothers in need!! God Bless LS
I agree! Thank you so so much for the kind words! Hopefully you enjoy/enjoyed the Randy Rhoads episode, too. thank you for being here and for being a part of the Roots Music History family!
This is a great video, lots of facts uncovered. I have read lots about this, one thing was the looters. You did some research, for sure. I know the entire story, being a Randy Rhoads freak almost my entire life. Can you do a piece on the plane crash that killed Randy?
This made me very sad listening to this, because it brought back so many memories of that time. First off, I have the Street Survivors vinyl LP with the flames on the cover and a concert dates insert inside it. Secondly, I was supposed to see Lynyrd Skynyrd with Aerosmith at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California September 12, 1976, but they cancelled due to two of the member being in a car accident, and then this happened. I never did see them after that even though they did continue on with the surviving members and others. On a happy note, that Aerosmith concert was great with Jeff Beck, Rick Derringer, Starz, Rex, etc.
Ohhhh man. This experience reminds me of some of the folks who were also set to see Harry chapin the day of his accident. I can't even imagine the heart break because there are so many artists I've felt a connection to that never passed away tragically like this. It also reminds me of how Don McLean describes feeling about Buddy Holly's death. Thank you so much for being here and supporting the channel. Hopefully you have seen/or see the episode on Don Mclean's American Pie and Randy Rhoads and love those, too!
I personally would LOVE a video on cliff burtons death or Randy Rhoads. I know there is some out there already but the facts i have, are never in there. Much love !
I just listened to an interview with Leslie Hawkins yesterday. Her and Cassie Gaines had gone to Ronnie's room and he had told them if you didn't get on the plane that they were fired. So they got on the plane and you know the rest of the story.
Wow! I'd love to see that interview, too. I'll have to look it up! I knew they had some back and forth about it and he told her if God wanted her to die on the plane she would. I didn't know he had also said they'd be fired
Leslie's insurance premium had not been paid and she had to pay and still has to pay for medical - and the group has made hundreds of millions of $$ but the survivors haven't been compensated - not a dime
Leslie stated in another interview she had to sue to get her medical bills paid. Bands to this day are notorious for paying some members as contract workers while other reap the big money.@@davidrice3337
A part of the facts that has been left out from this and most other accounts: Before Lynryd Skynyrd had leased this plane, Aerosmith had looked at this plane and refused to use it due to shoddy/lack of proper maintenance.
That is different than Gene Odem account, Odem was thrown out of the plane and ended up under the wing, when he crawled out Billy Powell was sitting on the wing with his nose half ripped off. Johnny Moat says he fired a warning shot over the guys heads but never shot anybody. And the cell phone picture of the engine on fire can't be of that plane, for two reasons, first it the wrong kind of wing, the wing in the picture is a wing from a more modern aircraft, and we didn't have cell phones back then, but it was a good story, oh and God and guns lp is from the the reformed Skynyrd years after the plane crash
Thank you for adding Genes details too!! (The wing photo was just an insert and I was kidding about it being actual footage haha!) And thank you for clarifying yes God & Guns was after all of it ! ♥️ I hope you liked it! 🎶🎵
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY This is such a mess.... Billy Powell did not go get help with Artimus, it was Marc Frank and Ken Peden. Dean was the assistant road Manager, Ron Eckerman was the road manager. JoJo was not on the plane because she was home sick or no longer with the band.
@@rrrttt1112 Ronnie had fired JoJo Billingsly for I forget what reason but she was suppose to meet up with the band at that next concert - saw that in an interview with her
@@bigwoody4704 Yeah, but she did not say she was fired, she said she was home due to being ill. But, as the details of the mystery are, I do believe she was fired is why I said politely initially that she 'was no longer with the band".
RVZ must have had nerves of steel to have that attitude "if you're intended by God".....and so forth. he didn't lay down a ton of bullshit, he said what he believed. saw them open for TheWHO years earlier. in photos, Ronnie's wearing 'the WHO/Fallout shelter' T-shirt .having been a veteran of that tour.
This was an excellent video and I loved it a lot! My husband and I both loved Lynrd Skynrd since we first heard them. We are 70 years old, but the music never gets old. Our favorite song has always been Free Bird. Thank you for a great video and I will see a you again!
I'm so glad you liked it!!! Thank you so much for the support! I'm still such an amateur but I really do try to make each video better than the last! I just posted the American Pie video by Don McLean as my latest episode and the next one will be a deep dive into the newspaper articles/interviews addressing the every so controversial topic of IF Artimus Pyle WAS SHOT! Tee hee!
Wow?? Were you alive when this plane went down? I was scheduled to be at the show in Baton Rouge the next day. You got most of the info correct as I have heard it. But, Johnny Mote did not shoot Arti. Good video... 🙂
The Johnny Mote shooting has me shook! haha! I spent all day today printing newspapers and interviews. That's going to be a full blown roots rockumentary once I'm finished with it all! It's not often we get a music history conspiracy like this!! And I was not alive, no! But I love research and also love music, so one day I just posted a few videos talking about the two topics together and welp, here we are today!!! =) I live right here on Music Row in Nashville so the music is in me every day! I think it's important to tell these stories and remember the music that came before us ❤ I'm so glad you are here!
This video means so much to me , I’ve been a fan of Skynyrd, and what they went through, it’s not fair, but life is what it is, I know they’re in heaven and god is protecting them, I do miss them and pray for them Thank You for this, Steve
Outstanding research! I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd play ( however a few of my older friends did), however I did see Rossington Collins Band in 1980 in Orlando, FL. If I recall, they were made up four of the original group members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a lady lead vocalist. I remember Billy Powell’s piano playing was incredible. I believe he lost a finger in the plane crash three years before that concert. I joined your channel because I appreciate all the work you did bringing this all to light. Thank you! Ignore the haters! 🙂
Thank you so much for the positive words! I do get lots of negative ones! haha! Also very cool that you saw Rossington and Collins holy cow what an experience!!! Thank you for supporting me and my story telling. I think you are going to really love the next one (comes out today). :)
Billy didn't lose a finger. He just dam near got his nose torn off, though. ❤️☹️ He was the first one out of the hospital. There's an interview with him somewhere just right after he got out of the hospital. Yes!!! The best piano player EVER!!! BILLY POWELL ❤️ RIP
I've been to the monument in Miss. And it is quite beautiful directly behind the monument was a fence with a sign on it saying Lynyrd Skynyrd crash site private property do not enter.
Been researching this accident. A series of bad decisions ,egos, etc. If you look at the crash site they were so close tonipen ground . The pilots i do t think could see because of low light conditions! Gene Odom was thrown out of the planes because of his location in the aircraft at the time of the crash..he just happended to be where the plane broke open ! NTSB report cites error ! And mismanagement of fuel supply .the report plainly says based on calculations of supposed fuel supply onboard there should have been 200+ gals lefton board! When i fact only 1 qt. Was left in the engines!
Funny but also very not funny but now every time I'm on a plane I think about how it was the folks in the front who took the brunt of this and died first. So tragic! And Agree re: the gas!
@@NJDEVILz86with what? I knew Allen and he told me there wasnt any equipment on board. 1 guitar a Gibson L6 all maple electric.. Like Santana played for a minute ...all his guitars he used were on the truck. Those planes were designed to transport military equipment. I dont think so.
There`s a documentary of interviews of recuers called "Lynyrd Skynyrd The Last Stop - An Emma Harrington Documentary" that explains a lot of what happened and how lucky they were that anyone survived. Man I would have hated to have been on that plane. It was torn to pieces but somehow the survivors just barely survived thanks to blind luck.
Ya they never should have went up on that plane and couple of them didn't want to.Ronnie kept pushing it unfortunately but those pilots should have called it off.The shame of it is their last album turned the corner for them it was much more polished and Steve Gaines brough w hole different element to the line up. It was actually his sister Cassie that got him the audition with Ronnie and Allen Collins when Ed King left the band in like '75 I believe. I noticed that some of my original albums went missing at partiesyears ago
Blind luck had Nothing to do with it!! What it had to do with is the Tremendous Blessings of God with those brave Mississippi boys risking it all with no thought for themselves or their own safety to come to the aid of their fellow man!!! ❤️❤️❤️
The plane and it's pilots were not even close to being up to bare minimum standards. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes.Sometimes there is not a second chance.
Great video..the girls weren't their own band they were put together by Ronnie van zant...also jojo was not on plane because she had been let go by Ronnie over affair with Allen Collins
I'm getting WAY too many comments and messages screaming at me that there were no cell phones in the 70s. If you read the entire screen, it says just kidding right there on the screen. I said that to be "funny" ! Do ya'll really think I'm that dumb??? lol
Thank you so much for making this video. We all have a story to what we were doing that day as the news came across the radio of the crash. I can never forget that day for that reason. Best Wishes to you and all your loved ones.
I grew up listening to Skynyrd in the 70's and remember a friend of mine asking me if i heard about Lynyrd Skynyrd and I answered no what happened?Then he told me about the plane crash.
They ran out of gas because the plane was a piece of shit and leaked fuel. Aerosmith turned down buying that same plane a few months before they crashed.
I was a young 15 year old guitar player in Baton Rouge Louisiana at the time. I had just returned from purchasing tickets for the show they didn't make it to. I think I payed $14 for 2 tickets. That was a lot of money to me back then so I returned them for a refund. (Wish I didn't) A few years later I played in several bands. We played on Macomb Mississippi and Kentwood Louisiana, near the crash site. I also got to know many people in the industry connected with Lynard Skynard. Kenny Peden, who just passed away last week was an acquaintance and on the plane that evening. He was one of the 3 that went for help. A good friend is Gary's guitar tech. But be careful of what Artemus says.. He has a "creative" memory. He has been out to a few shows I have worked, but I've never met him. And, Johnny Mote never shot him.. HaHa,, Good work on the video. !!@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY
This was the hardest thing! That's why here on ROOTS, I always take things from interviews (not just from articles or google, etc.). For this, especially, it was quite the task listening to every interview, transcribing each person's experience, and then looking for the common threads to deduce what actually happened. I also juxtaposed the rare interviews with full and local newspaper articles. I find the local articles to be jam packed with details and information (moreso than the mainstream newspaper articles) because those reporters were actually onsite in many cases or at least very close to the folks who were. I hope you appreciate all the research I did on this trying to get the full and accurate story! Of course I'm sure some things aren't 100%, but I do my best!
Lady, your accounts have multiple holes. Fuel gauges didn't work, they used a stick to estimate fuel levels . The pilots made a stupid error reach for the fuel transfer valve, pulled the fuel dump valve in error
Total bs about Artimus Pyle getting shot. I saw the interview of with those folks on that farm property. They do say however that the man, can’t recall his name… Betty’s husband, said he shot in the air. Artimus has been known over the years to bend the truth. In addition to that, he also received very minimal injuries like no broken or fractured bones at all. This all can be found by doing just a little digging and researching.
Gene Odom said Jo Jo wasn't coming back she was messing around with Allen and that was trouble and her drug and alcohol problems were way out of control
That's not true that Artemis wasn't shot. I've heard that he was called a coward because he ran away from the plane crash knowing that help was already coming to them. That's the stories I've heard over the years and did you ever see a gun shot wound on his shoulder.
It was definitely hard trying to get the full and true story here. Every account seems to differ, and obviously I don't have access to the medical records lol! But basically, there's a lot of dispute if he was shot or not. The farmer in one interview says that he fired a "warning shot" but another witness says he was shot. The other two who were with him were billy powell and a roadie and neither have really spoken about it publicly (that I could find at least!) so I went off of Artimus's account and the farmer's account. While the farmer says he fired a warning shot, he also said he fired twice. So I deduced the 2nd shot to be the one that grazed his shoulder, since there were also multiple reports it grazed his shoulder. Some things we may never know for sure! ha!
the dude may not have been shot but Artie is the one who literally walked thru a gator infested swamp - the 2 fellas with him both said Artimus jumped in the swamp without pause - he's no coward - he's a Marine also - 70 yrs old and I guarantee you don't want any part of him
Artimus was not shot by the farmer. I’ve watched so many documentaries and biographies covering LS and one I remember interviewed the farmer who confirmed that he only fired a warning shot over his head and the medical staff that was on duty at the hospital where he was taken and they all confirmed that he was not treated for a gunshot wound. He was treated for bumps and bruises and a possible rib injury and released. Artimus is definitely a story teller.
@Hardonfishing, This is the first time anyone has told of seeing Ronnie's body at the crash site. I don't know if it is taboo to do so for reasons unknown, maybe of being sued by the Van Zant family. I know you were 12 years old but are you sure it was Ronnie's body or one of the other four men that died in the crash. Remember Dean Kilpatrick, Steve Gains, The pilot, and co-pilot also died that horrible night also. I don't guess it really matters who it was, but it just seems a disrespect of the dead to have their feet hanging outside the door like that. I wasn"t there so I can't comprehend what those first responders had to go through that night. Couldn't have been an easy process. Still its sad to hear these details.
I heard they ran out of fuel because they tried to switch fuel from the right tank to the left one . But accidentally dumped it all my mistake. And that another band Aerosmith looked at the plane prior and didn't like the pilots substance abuse or the plane. And passed it up.
At 2:55 into this video you show an actual cell photo of the plane's engine on fire which is NOT TRUE! They did not have cell phones in 1977 alone a cell phone camera. Wherever that picture came from it did not come from the Convair CV-240 which was a 2-prop engine plane not a jet plane which the photo shows.
Read the entire screen before berating me over saying “actual cell phone footage”. If you read the entire text you will see I say JUST KIDDING at the bottom.
Artimus is a local here in Western NC. He is beloved by our community. I finally got my chance to run into him at our Guitar Center. Just as chill, friendly and full of positive vibes as you'd think. He insisted we take a picture together. Love that guy. He's sharp as a tack to boot.
I heard Artimus say himself that when he found out they were gonna crash that he ran to the back of the plane and that’s why he survived. People need to check out his band, the artimus pyle band. They are fantastic!! ❤. He’s an awesome drummer, even in his 70’s!
I also loved how he spoke about how he took care of himself. He was very into health and spirituality. He truly believes that his healthy lifestyle also gave his body the stamina/strength it needed to survive something like that. Incredibly interesting perspective. I do also enjoy his current stuff and I'm so glad you added this! Thank you for being here and for supporting the channel it means the world to me!
My girlfriend and I spent 10 days driving thru the Southeast last year,...including Mississippi. As we were leaving Louisiana and heading towards Tupelo we saw the signs on the interstate for the Lynyrd Skynyrd memorial. As classic rock fans,.who saw the band back in 1977,..and the reunion tour 20 years later we knew that we had to stop. By total coincidence Gene Odum was there telling stories,..signing autographs, and his book with a small group of people and /or volunteers. The memorial(s) were very moving and respectful of all the people that perished that day. Fyi,....the memorials are not at the exact spot of the crash,..as that is on private property close by and is strictly off-limits except for special occasions. With that said,...the memorial area is definitely worth a visit.
You’ve got to be kidding me !!! How cool is that! And what are the odds that Gene was there at that exact moment wow oh wow. This comment just made my day!
October 20 1977 is when the Music died. RIP Lynyrd Skynyrd we miss you. TD Atlanta
Well as a 64 year who graduated high school in 1977, and a lifelong north ALABAMA dude ,i grew up with LYNYRD SKYNYRD fan i thought i knew it all about the plane crash. Learn some new things here. Awesome job here, thank you....Also lost ELVIS a few months earlier...good & bad year for me...seen SKYNYRD about 5 times. RIP to Gary Rossington & the whole band. I saw the ROLLING STONES & SKYNYRD blew them away..!!!!
Sounds like us during the 70s. If a concert was in driving distance we all went. From Allman Bros to Marshall Tucker to Rod Stewart, that's what we did in the 70s. Not to many groups haven't seen. Everybody is gone now, I'm last one. Thanks for sharing.
Facts Dennis! I also heard that L.S. was the more liked band at that show. It's kinda like The Beach Boys doing better than the Beatles in the U.K. the majority of the time.
@@raymorrow170everyone says that they blew away the Stones.
@@Care960 You'll have to tell us what your favorite concert was that you saw back then! =)
I’m super lucky to own a guitar autographed by all the original members. It’s Epic
Get out of here! How cool!
For all the plane's issues, it didn't go down due to mechanical problems... it went down because it ran out of fuel. Not sure why people are so stuck on the plane's mechanical problems.
Those flames are not from a Convair 240. Pyle was not shot. Pyle had no broken ribs. The only reason anyone survived was because the planes fuel tanks were empty. The plane didn't nose dive. Read the NTSB report.
I do want to let you know I'm looking up the report for the next video! =) Thank you for the tip! The flames were just a generic run-of-the-mill video, though. I said just kidding on the screen just because I had spent so much time trying to find actual footage of things I was personally getting exhausted and thought oh what the hey I'll put in some general footage and say jk! Haha! Also the Pyle shot controversy is REAL! I had no idea the country was so divided on this! LOL! I ask myself, do I even want to make another video addressing if he was shot or not??? But I think we will! Let's light this fire! haha! And you are exactly correct. The fact they were out of fuel kept the plane from lighting on fire which significantly increased the survivor count!! I'm so glad you are here on the channel and part of the Roots Music history family now!
Having been a lifelong Skynyrd fan I still love everything Skynyrd related. But I’ve heard everything and rarely hear anything new. But at the same time I’ve never heard a more in depth Skynyrd plane crash story. While it’s a topic many have gone through this was a more complete in depth true story. I appreciate tying everything together and side notes as you went.
Oh wow thank you so so much!!! I am going to pin this comment =) Thank you for being here and supporting the channel it means the world to me!
I liked your video here. You supplied allot more information than all the other videos I have seen. I "by a slim chance" got back stage at a concert in Oakland California in 1977. I met Allen, Gary, Ronnie and Steve and had brief conversations with them about guitars and amps. I had played, repaired, and built custom guitars for several years at that time. My brief conversation with Ronnie was about Neil young. He was wearing a t-shirt with Neil Young's picture on it. I pointed to his shirt and jokenly said "NEIL YOUNG?", he replied "A peace offering" and laughed. They then went on to play an outstanding performance. Allen had given me a phone number to contact someone about possibly becoming a guitar tec for them. I had hitch hiked from Columbus Ohio to California with a friend and like I said, by a slim and crazy chance' got to go to and back stage at this concert. Exactally 109 days when I made it back to Ohio that tragic plane crash happen. There was never an answer from the number Allen gave me after that. Such a sad, sad day and I still feel the heartbreak from that day.
Excellent video you did. Thank you for your time and effort here. Deeply appreciated!!! 🥰
I read this comment three or four times! This is my favorite one! I am going to pin this to the top if that's okay with you! First of all thank you so so much for the positive feedback! I know I'm an amateur and never expected a little old youtube video to bring me to where I am today with the channel, but I am having the time of my life researching and sharing these stories with you all. It's comments like this that really bring me to life, where someone has a personal experience to share! I am also laughing that the result of hitchiking led to you getting BACKSTAGE! HOLY COW!!!! I'm laughing as well at the Neil Young peace offering. I should do a whole roots just on Neil Young ( I briefly speak of him in the Crosby Stills & Nash episode, but there is jsut SO much there! lol!)
I also want to highlight the fact you played, repaired and built custom guitars!!! I think you would love this story I just did about a 619 year-old tree that was one of George Washington's trees on a field hospital he ran in the Revolutionary War. It is said that Betsy Ross along with 35+ Revolutionary War Veterans were buried underneath this tree. Ultimately the tree died and they tasked a man named Dave Schneck with memorializing the tree. He decided to make guitars out of it! I interviewed all the guitar manufacturers and luthiers who had a hand in these builds and it's quite fascinating. Here's the link to that: th-cam.com/video/qliUA1QjIi4/w-d-xo.html
the Doctors and the pathologist have stated Dean died on impact - his injuries were far to severe to have been able to help Gary -
It's a damn shame these survivors have not been compensated for this negligence
There's am interview with artimus about 4-5 days after the wreck...he said then that he had no broken bones. They initially thought ribs, but x-rays ( according to him in 1977) were negative. I'd believe that over anything he's said in the past 30 years. Even if he thinks he's being honest, peoples memories can become distorted...doesn't mean they're lying. But he's a storyteller for sure.
Yup. Arti is definitely an embellisher.
@scuvasteev you have peaked my interest now!!! You've woken the beast! haha! I spent all day today printing out newspaper articles and am currently going through interviews - AAAAAND - I am prepping a full Roots Rockumentary Deep Dive into this very controversial topic! Ya'll brace yourselves lol!
I’ve also heard a number of times through the years that Aerosmith walked away from this plane a few weeks prior. They didn’t think it was very safe or a good deal
Gary has told several stories with spiritual events . He even said that he spoke to Ronnie who was walking around as well . Artie has told different stories as well . Even the farmer denied actually shooting Artie . Near death experience can cause all these foggy and embellished memories . I have been there as well .
So sad.
Now Gary knows for sure, how that door got off of him. God bless them all and you for making such a touching video.
Thank you so much! ♥️
I was actually at the crash site that night and the following days. I was 12 years old. It was a very eerie scene. I remember it very well. They had Ronnie's body in a blue van and he was laying on a piece of plastic stretched across the floor. His feet were hanging out of the back door. It was horrible.
No way- holy cow. Im so glad you found the video and hopefully you’ve subscribed to join the roots family!
Horrible , much love to you
What you're stating is completely and absolutely false.
@@ajwilliams3872 you’re right I think I was 11
Are you from around here? if so, where ? If you were there too let me know, maybe we can compare stories. I was staying with a friend that night. He lived on Mixon Rd. near the crash site. we could hear the helicopters and the phone started ringing so we all went down there. I used to have a concert program with a picture of Ronnie with his back turned towards the camera. I picked it up off of the ground. It had blood spatter on it. somehow or another it got lost over the years. I wish I still had it. Like I said if you were there too let me know. Hell we may even know each other. @@ajwilliams3872
Another brilliantly-researched documentary. Thank you for all the time you invest in the study and editing.
Thank you so so much!! These words mean so much to me. I'm still learning the ropes of my new camera and set up and youtube in general but comments like this inspire me to do more, that's for sure! I'm so glad you are part of the Roots family!
WOW, excellent documentary. Amazing response to rescue the passengers of this flight. The reason that there would be flames coming from the engine is because the carburetor is giving the engine too much fuel. The bottom line is that the flight crew did not monitor the engines and fuel consumption properly. The pilot and co-pilot were not very skilled with this model of aircraft and did not really understand the proper operation of these radial engines. I am type rated in the Convair series, meaning that I am a captain. There was no fire because they ran out of fuel. The engines did not fail, they ran out of fuel. Absolutely a tragic event and a big loss for humanity.
Talk to God. Feel grateful for all the goodness.
The “Honkettes” weren’t a band per se’
That was just the nickname given to Cassie, Leslie and Jo Jo by RVZ.
I’m not correcting errs with a smartass, negative tone, just pitching in.
This is a well done, thorough documentation of the Skynyrd crash ✈️ 💥💥🔥💨
that is the most extensive and concise explanation of that event I have ever heard. thank you
Thank you so much for the kind words!! Thank you for being here! And for supporting the channel! And most of all for being a part of the Roots Music Family! We have some fun on here =)
I was 12 years old. It was unusually warm in Apalachiia for that time of year.I can remember Harry Reasoner with ABC World News announcing the breaking news, with no details and thats how the news ended.
I didn't even know who Lynyrd Skynyrd was. Now they are in my Top 3 bands of all time.
I was standing in a gas station in rock springs Wyoming leaning against a old cooler or fridge listening to the radio when this was reported over the radio. It was 1977. I was so shocked when I heard this.
I was filling up my company truck to go out to the oilfield.
Oh my goodness! What an incredible account. I'm so glad you shared your perspective/where you were when you heard this news- comments like this are just incredible to me and bring a whole new/deeper meaning to the videos.
Artimus said to HUG a tree for energy not touch a tree! LOL! That plane crash was caused by very dumb pilots not doing their job correctly before you take off you ALWAYS check the dip stick to see how much fuel you have in the Convair CV-240. I personally love those old prop jobs! If you take care of the plane, the plane will take care of you!
The co-pilot didn't do that and both pilots didn't realize with that right engine running hot it would burn a lot more fuel and it would burn it very inefficiently. They never looked at their fuel gauge when they did they made a very bad judgement thinking they would make it to Louisiana. and then turning around with less then 5 min of power left! Any pilot would know to climb and get as much height as possible but not those two pilots. The pilots were more worried about having to land and refuel and write out an FAA report as to why they miscalculated the correct fuel from South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When they crashed Artimus found Walter McCreary the Captain hanging over a tree branch the First Officer William John Gray was beheaded. right before they hit the trees Walter trying to save at least one of them told Co-pilot to take cover in the small kitchen area behind the cockpit. The small partition did nothing to soften the impact something in that kitchen area beheaded him as the plane crashed. Dean Kilpatrick 100% could not of pulled the door off of Gary Rossington. On impact a metal pole blasted thru the back of the seat and impaled dean Kilpatrick there by sealing in dean to his seat until rescuers cut that pole to remove him. Poor Cassie Gaines died on impact from a broken neck. Her little brother Steve Gaines was alive for a little while after the plane crash but died shortly afterward.
***NOTE**** Most reports don't mention who or which one of the Gaines died they only said one of the Gaines died instantly and the other was alive after impact but died a short time later. I just guessed if Cassie had a broken neck she couldn't possible be alive so it had to be her brother. Artimus had the least amount of injury due to him going towards the back of the plane he knew the safest spot on a plane from both his pilot dad and his knowledge of planes.
Gary Rossington was knocked unconscious having both arms and legs broken one of his legs was barely hanging on by just the skin. Leon Wilkerson died 3 times and all 3 times they brought him back. If you notice the one who got the least hurt has very noticeable PTSD that has never been addressed back then they didn't know about things like that. I always wished a doctor would have helped him with that. With most of the others being so hurt and knocked out they missed the worst part of the crash which is right after they hit and people are trying to get out of the plane. If Artimus was also knocked out i think he would of bounced back like everyone else.
I know Gary accused Artimus of running away but the farmers said no he went and got them to help and wanted them to bring their tractor and tools to help his friends.
Last is Ronnie Van Zant! Gary Odom picked Ronnie off the floor and buckled him in between Gary Rossington and Leon Wilkerson.
Gary Odom left and tried to run to the back of the plane but as he did the wing came off the middle of the plane cracked and Gary Odom fell thru the plane was knocked out and landed under the wing where his eyes were burnt with chemicals leaking out of the wing. Gary said as he turned to run Ronnie unbuckled his seat belt and at impact everything that was bolted down went to the left front of the plane in the direction of where dean Kilpatrick sat. Ronnie flew and hit the back wall and then chairs tables some people were all being pressed into that one area Gary said with all that pressure and weight Ronnie would of been unable to breath with so many people and things on top of him but others made it because Ronnies body cushioned the impact for everyone that landed in that area and Ronnie was wouldn't of known what was going on being half out from sleeping pills. In the end the FAA determined Crew inattention to fuel supply" was ultimately determined to be responsible for the crash. I added this for anyone who wanted to know the details I always think it's important to know why. This is what the NSB report said- The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of this accident was fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply. Contributing to the fuel exhaustion were inadequate flight planning and an engine malfunction of undetermined nature in the right engine that resulted in "torching" and higher-than-normal fuel consumption.
-NTSB Accident Report If you want more info and read it yourself- Link- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd_plane_crash
Didn't have John Denver on the links buy had Otis Redding. Blackwood Bro
Ronnie said that he was going to die out on the road with his boots on. He told his own father that. That he would die before he reached the age 30.
I do talk about that in here! I'll have to find the time stamp for you :)
Didn't hear it mentioned here but Ronnie used to refer to himself as the Missippippi kid at times!!😢
Artimus Pyle is an egomaniac! Watch the movie he made about the plane crash, he is depicted as a hero. It’s all about me,me,me with Artimus in that movie, according to this movie, Artimus is the only one who saved the survivors, & his brave trek to go find help is SO dramatized. The movie might as well been titled “The Artimus Pyle Show, how I saved the day” suck it ego hero!
It killed four members. Dean was not a musician but he was most definitely a “member” of the band. Love your video!😊
Thank you for clarifying!! 🎵
This was excellent. I was in my bedroom playing my electric guitar when I heard this news come across the radio as an interupted breaking news item
Not all who were sitting up front died. Kevin Elson was sitting right across from Ronnie and he survived. He went on to be the FOH and producer for Journey producing both Escape and Frontiers.
kevin elson was sitting behind the bulkhead wall then gary then dean ronnie was laying underneath them .....directly across from them was dean steve and allen
Not bad - as mentioned by others, every LS documentary usually tells a different version of events. For example, I’ve heard about 10 different versions describing RVS’s last moments. Two things I’ve heard here for 1st time and I doubt - 1) Artemis being shot by farmer; 2) Billy walking to get help (he was in no shape to walk anywhere).
Kevin Elson went on to become quite the record producer in later years. He did a lot of work with Journey (Escape) in the studio and on tour, as well as work with many other bands like Mr. Big and Europe (The Final Countdown anybody). My buddy, who was a monitor engineer for Journey, while Kevin was their front of house engineer, asked Kevin what was up with the limp when he walked. He used to tell me that everyone loved to fly with Kevin, because they figured there was statistically no way Kevin would be involved in a second plane crash.
He really has a fantastic story as well! I think you just gave me inspiration for another full Roots Rockumentary Episode! =)
I’m 22:50 into this but I recall Artemis saying one of the pilots engaged the landing gear when they we’re hitting the trees preparing to land in the field and the landing gear hitting the trees caused the plane to dip to a 45* angle and if they didn’t lower the landing gear they might have made it to the field, great research btw you told the situation in great detail, just as I heard it but in even greater detail, they hold a special place in my heart and you tell details I’ve heard and even more, and quality is more important that quantity
Oh my. these comments make everything so worth it. Thank you so very much for the kind words and for supporting the channel! Hopefully you have seen/see the Randy Rhoads/other episodes and feel the same way!! Thank you again!
Considering there were 26 occupants on the plane with 6 fatalities, how is having luggage tags emblazoned "Survivors" be considered creepy when 20 survived? More prescient, if anything...
this girl probably wasn't even born yet when this happened (i was only 9) and yet this clip is the best i've seen yet about the incident and i'm a bigtime longtime 'SKYNYRD' fan. i learned tons of new thangs i didn't know before from this vid. excellent work.
I'm a Skynyrd fan and cry every time I hear this story😪but I've heard both sides of the story too. I don't know if they ran out of gas or just crashed???
The farmer claims he never shot Artimus. I'll leave that between Artimus and the farmer. I've seen an interview with the farmer in more recent years. He seemed like a pretty cool dude.
So sad. Loved the band. It’s not like having a crappy car. Damn plane.
SOUTHERN Hospitality; that's what we do as SOUTHERNERS, WE always TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. We are & always have been a GOD-fearing people.
Amen
Yes and vile enemies love to hate our guns God and conservative ppl.
I am from Jacksonville, Fl. , born and raised. I was born in 77 so I wasn’t as fortunate to see them live (the original group) but I love every bit of their music!!!
I used to play music at a hotel near a major airport where the pilots stayed overnight. I was shocked how many pilots stayed in the lounge till closing and how heavily they drank and that they were scheduled to fly out at 5am
YIKES! Every time I take a morning flight I am eyeing the pilots walking in with their coffee LOL. Sheesh. That's terrifying. And surgeons/nurses are another fright.
I thought you were a TikTocker just reading stories..MY BAD. I've looked this story up many times, but never got as much detail as you mention. Great work on this!
Thank you so so much! I do put a lot of work into my research, so I'm so glad you see that!
Nice Presentation of a known story! I was lucky enough to sit down with Artimus Pyle and have a great conversation with him about 2008. He signed my Dejembe Drum R.I.P R V Z and beneath it Artimus Pyle Drummer Lynyrd Skynyrd He actually asked me " you sure you want me to Sign this? He was more than Friendly and pleasant with his time and told me a Story about Janis Joplin..... but that's another story
Thx
Well done video. Thank you! Sad story.
Very well researched, outstanding presentation! This was more informative than many of the other Bios that I've seen on Skynyrd!
Oh my goodness. Thank you so so much! That means so much to me, honestly! Hopefully you have seen or see the Randy Rhoads/Don McLean/HarryChapin videos, too and feel the same way! It's so important to me to keep these stories alive. Thank you for being here ❤🎵
I just dont see how stupid you could be not to put fuel in a damn plane . Those 2 flying took away a great band all because they didnt fuel the plane !
Great job explaining this amazing, but sad story..still, how all these strangers came together is a true testament of love for our brothers in need!! God Bless LS
I agree! Thank you so so much for the kind words! Hopefully you enjoy/enjoyed the Randy Rhoads episode, too. thank you for being here and for being a part of the Roots Music History family!
Farmer lived 2 miles away when he heard the plane
Barely survive a horrific plane crash only to get shot while fleeing for help. Thats as rock -n- roll as you can get!
This is a great video, lots of facts uncovered. I have read lots about this, one thing was the looters. You did some research, for sure. I know the entire story, being a Randy Rhoads freak almost my entire life. Can you do a piece on the plane crash that killed Randy?
Ask and you shall receive! =) Thank you so much for appreciating and for being part of the roots music history family!
This made me very sad listening to this, because it brought back so many memories of that time. First off, I have the Street Survivors vinyl LP with the flames on the cover and a concert dates insert inside it. Secondly, I was supposed to see Lynyrd Skynyrd with Aerosmith at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California September 12, 1976, but they cancelled due to two of the member being in a car accident, and then this happened. I never did see them after that even though they did continue on with the surviving members and others.
On a happy note, that Aerosmith concert was great with Jeff Beck, Rick Derringer, Starz, Rex, etc.
Ohhhh man. This experience reminds me of some of the folks who were also set to see Harry chapin the day of his accident. I can't even imagine the heart break because there are so many artists I've felt a connection to that never passed away tragically like this. It also reminds me of how Don McLean describes feeling about Buddy Holly's death. Thank you so much for being here and supporting the channel. Hopefully you have seen/or see the episode on Don Mclean's American Pie and Randy Rhoads and love those, too!
I personally would LOVE a video on cliff burtons death or Randy Rhoads. I know there is some out there already but the facts i have, are never in there. Much love !
Ask and you shall receive!!! =)
I just listened to an interview with Leslie Hawkins yesterday. Her and Cassie Gaines had gone to Ronnie's room and he had told them if you didn't get on the plane that they were fired. So they got on the plane and you know the rest of the story.
Wow! I'd love to see that interview, too. I'll have to look it up! I knew they had some back and forth about it and he told her if God wanted her to die on the plane she would. I didn't know he had also said they'd be fired
Leslie's insurance premium had not been paid and she had to pay and still has to pay for medical - and the group has made hundreds of millions of $$ but the survivors haven't been compensated - not a dime
@@davidrice3337Yeah. Judy's money grubbin hind.
Leslie stated in another interview she had to sue to get her medical bills paid. Bands to this day are notorious for paying some members as contract workers while other reap the big money.@@davidrice3337
They wanted to get on the bus that was hauling the gear but they left before they could get on
A part of the facts that has been left out from this and most other accounts:
Before Lynryd Skynyrd had leased this plane, Aerosmith had looked at this plane and refused to use it due to shoddy/lack of proper maintenance.
This is true! Lynyrd Skynyrd and Aerosmith had the same manager, and 100% true!
That is different than Gene Odem account, Odem was thrown out of the plane and ended up under the wing, when he crawled out Billy Powell was sitting on the wing with his nose half ripped off. Johnny Moat says he fired a warning shot over the guys heads but never shot anybody. And the cell phone picture of the engine on fire can't be of that plane, for two reasons, first it the wrong kind of wing, the wing in the picture is a wing from a more modern aircraft, and we didn't have cell phones back then, but it was a good story, oh and God and guns lp is from the the reformed Skynyrd years after the plane crash
Thank you for adding Genes details too!! (The wing photo was just an insert and I was kidding about it being actual footage haha!) And thank you for clarifying yes God & Guns was after all of it ! ♥️ I hope you liked it! 🎶🎵
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY This is such a mess.... Billy Powell did not go get help with Artimus, it was Marc Frank and Ken Peden. Dean was the assistant road Manager, Ron Eckerman was the road manager. JoJo was not on the plane because she was home sick or no longer with the band.
@@rrrttt1112 Ronnie had fired JoJo Billingsly for I forget what reason but she was suppose to meet up with the band at that next concert - saw that in an interview with her
@@bigwoody4704 Yeah, but she did not say she was fired, she said she was home due to being ill. But, as the details of the mystery are, I do believe she was fired is why I said politely initially that she 'was no longer with the band".
@@rrrttt1112 she definitely got canned - not saying she deserved it, might have been for not getting on the plane in Carolina
RVZ must have had nerves of steel to have that attitude "if you're intended by God".....and so forth. he didn't lay down a ton of bullshit, he said what he believed. saw them open for TheWHO years earlier. in photos, Ronnie's wearing 'the WHO/Fallout shelter' T-shirt .having been a veteran of that tour.
This was an excellent video and I loved it a lot! My husband and I both loved Lynrd Skynrd since we first heard them. We are 70 years old, but the music never gets old. Our favorite song has always been Free Bird. Thank you for a great video and I will see a you again!
I'm so glad you liked it!!! Thank you so much for the support! I'm still such an amateur but I really do try to make each video better than the last! I just posted the American Pie video by Don McLean as my latest episode and the next one will be a deep dive into the newspaper articles/interviews addressing the every so controversial topic of IF Artimus Pyle WAS SHOT! Tee hee!
Wow?? Were you alive when this plane went down? I was scheduled to be at the show in Baton Rouge the next day. You got most of the info correct as I have heard it. But, Johnny Mote did not shoot Arti. Good video... 🙂
The Johnny Mote shooting has me shook! haha! I spent all day today printing newspapers and interviews. That's going to be a full blown roots rockumentary once I'm finished with it all! It's not often we get a music history conspiracy like this!! And I was not alive, no! But I love research and also love music, so one day I just posted a few videos talking about the two topics together and welp, here we are today!!! =) I live right here on Music Row in Nashville so the music is in me every day! I think it's important to tell these stories and remember the music that came before us ❤ I'm so glad you are here!
This video means so much to me , I’ve been a fan of Skynyrd, and what they went through, it’s not fair, but life is what it is, I know they’re in heaven and god is protecting them, I do miss them and pray for them Thank You for this, Steve
Such a beautiful comment! Thank you so much for being here 🎶
Outstanding research!
I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd play ( however a few of my older friends did), however I did see Rossington Collins Band in 1980 in Orlando, FL. If I recall, they were made up four of the original group members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and a lady lead vocalist. I remember Billy Powell’s piano playing was incredible. I believe he lost a finger in the plane crash three years before that concert.
I joined your channel because I appreciate all the work you did bringing this all to light. Thank you!
Ignore the haters! 🙂
Thank you so much for the positive words! I do get lots of negative ones! haha! Also very cool that you saw Rossington and Collins holy cow what an experience!!! Thank you for supporting me and my story telling. I think you are going to really love the next one (comes out today). :)
Billy didn't lose a finger. He just dam near got his nose torn off, though. ❤️☹️ He was the first one out of the hospital. There's an interview with him somewhere just right after he got out of the hospital. Yes!!! The best piano player EVER!!! BILLY POWELL ❤️ RIP
Wonderful video. Thanks so much for sharing the story.
I've been to the monument in Miss. And it is quite beautiful directly behind the monument was a fence with a sign on it saying Lynyrd Skynyrd crash site private property do not enter.
It's very interesting that their last tour together as the original band was called Tour of the Survivors.
Spooky huh 😳
Been researching this accident. A series of bad decisions ,egos, etc. If you look at the crash site they were so close tonipen ground . The pilots i do t think could see because of low light conditions! Gene Odom was thrown out of the planes because of his location in the aircraft at the time of the crash..he just happended to be where the plane broke open ! NTSB report cites error ! And mismanagement of fuel supply .the report plainly says based on calculations of supposed fuel supply onboard there should have been 200+ gals lefton board! When i fact only 1 qt. Was left in the engines!
Funny but also very not funny but now every time I'm on a plane I think about how it was the folks in the front who took the brunt of this and died first. So tragic! And Agree re: the gas!
Look in to the wieght....it was overloaded...rarely brought up even ntsb missed it
@@NJDEVILz86What is your source on that? I would appreciate it very much.
@@NJDEVILz86with what?
I knew Allen and he told me there wasnt any equipment on board.
1 guitar a Gibson L6 all maple electric..
Like Santana played for a minute
...all his guitars he used were on the truck.
Those planes were designed to transport military equipment.
I dont think so.
Pilots put down the landing gear to early,
My father has 3 poker chips that he discovered near the crash sight only days after the crash. Pretty sad 😢
OH WOW!
I’d love to see the cell phone that took the “actual photo”. From 1977…. 🤦🏽♂️ 😂
Please read the entire screen before commenting - it says just kidding right there next to it.
Haha, I know right !! I was lol 😂 when I seen that. There were NO cell phones then !!!!
It says just kidding right there on the screen.
There`s a documentary of interviews of recuers called "Lynyrd Skynyrd The Last Stop - An Emma Harrington Documentary" that explains a lot of what happened and how lucky they were that anyone survived. Man I would have hated to have been on that plane. It was torn to pieces but somehow the survivors just barely survived thanks to blind luck.
Ya they never should have went up on that plane and couple of them didn't want to.Ronnie kept pushing it unfortunately but those pilots should have called it off.The shame of it is their last album turned the corner for them it was much more polished and Steve Gaines brough w hole different element to the line up. It was actually his sister Cassie that got him the audition with Ronnie and Allen Collins when Ed King left the band in like '75 I believe. I noticed that some of my original albums went missing at partiesyears ago
Skynyrd and Hank Jr always get stolen. @@bigwoody4704
Blind luck had Nothing to do with it!! What it had to do with is the Tremendous Blessings of God with those brave Mississippi boys risking it all with no thought for themselves or their own safety to come to the aid of their fellow man!!! ❤️❤️❤️
I saw the documentary. Great introduction, shame about Allan, after plane cross and surviving then the car crash.
Another thing you need to get straight is the time was 6:50 pm. The sun was just getting ready to set that night.
I'll have to double check the newspaper articles! i know that's where I had gotten the time. Are you sure you're in the right time zone with that?
The plane and it's pilots were not even close to being up to bare minimum standards. Sometimes you learn from your mistakes.Sometimes there is not a second chance.
Sad but true 🥹
Great video..the girls weren't their own band they were put together by Ronnie van zant...also jojo was not on plane because she had been let go by Ronnie over affair with Allen Collins
Rip to Ronnie & the band
Thanks for supporting the channel! Also, have you seen their tribute band? It's crazy how similar Ronnie's brother looks to him!
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY yeah I've seen the tribute band
Very informative video..thx...Skynyrd was excellent👍
I"m so glad you enjoyed it! Hopefully you like the next ones, too!
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY You Rock!...thanks for the great videos
So sad and tragic!Will always be missed!
I'm getting WAY too many comments and messages screaming at me that there were no cell phones in the 70s. If you read the entire screen, it says just kidding right there on the screen. I said that to be "funny" ! Do ya'll really think I'm that dumb??? lol
The Almond brothers is another good band to check out 😎
you do mean ALLMAN BROTHERS, right...!!!!
Nothing good, besides boudin, ever came from Louisiana, trust me, I served at Ft. Polk.
Thank you so much for making this video. We all have a story to what we were doing that day as the news came across the radio of the crash. I can never forget that day for that reason. Best Wishes to you and all your loved ones.
Not funny
Thank you for your videos they are so interesting and i learn a lot about the real story
This comment means so much to me! Thank you so much for watching and appreciating and being part of the Roots Music History family!
wow never knew any of this they reminded me of zztop some as a kid not sure why what a shame they were given old plane
I'm glad you learned some things you hadn't known! Thank you for being here and I'm so glad you are part of the Roots Music History family!
Narrator obsessed with Hawkins giving Ronnie a massage lol
I thought that was such a hilarious detail! LOL
I wasn't there of course but there have always been rumors about Ronnie and Leslie.
I grew up listening to Skynyrd in the 70's and remember a friend of mine asking me if i heard about Lynyrd Skynyrd and I answered no what happened?Then he told me about the plane crash.
These accounts give me chills!!! Do you remember where you were, too? Like if it was at school or a friends house? 😵
Did you talk to Gene Odom he was on the plane and he can explain it very well what happened
Gene is the best!
They ran out of gas because the plane was a piece of shit and leaked fuel. Aerosmith turned down buying that same plane a few months before they crashed.
Great detailed explanation her recollection is very similar to the surviving members
I spent hours listening to survivor interviews so this comment means a lot to me, thank you!
Genes recollection is most likely close to accurate.
I agree! 🙈
I was a young 15 year old guitar player in Baton Rouge Louisiana at the time. I had just returned from purchasing tickets for the show they didn't make it to. I think I payed $14 for 2 tickets. That was a lot of money to me back then so I returned them for a refund. (Wish I didn't) A few years later I played in several bands. We played on Macomb Mississippi and Kentwood Louisiana, near the crash site. I also got to know many people in the industry connected with Lynard Skynard. Kenny Peden, who just passed away last week was an acquaintance and on the plane that evening. He was one of the 3 that went for help. A good friend is Gary's guitar tech. But be careful of what Artemus says.. He has a "creative" memory. He has been out to a few shows I have worked, but I've never met him. And, Johnny Mote never shot him.. HaHa,, Good work on the video. !!@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY
Glad I stumbled onto your channel! New subscriber!
What about bob is my favorite movie of all time!!! DR MARVIN! lol!! So glad to have you here and part of the ROOTS Music History family!!
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORY I love that movie too... "I'm sailing, a-hoy!"
I've been watching a few accounts of the crash on YT. SO many conflicting stories.
This was the hardest thing! That's why here on ROOTS, I always take things from interviews (not just from articles or google, etc.). For this, especially, it was quite the task listening to every interview, transcribing each person's experience, and then looking for the common threads to deduce what actually happened. I also juxtaposed the rare interviews with full and local newspaper articles. I find the local articles to be jam packed with details and information (moreso than the mainstream newspaper articles) because those reporters were actually onsite in many cases or at least very close to the folks who were. I hope you appreciate all the research I did on this trying to get the full and accurate story! Of course I'm sure some things aren't 100%, but I do my best!
Could you do a deep dive into the day the music died!!
I was actually just thinking about doing American Pie next!! You have literally read my mind!
Thanks for posting.
Thank you for watching!! 🎵
*¡overall the blame belongs to Ronnie Van Zant!* - 2:38 pm Pacific Standard Time on Friday, 8 December 2023
Lady, your accounts have multiple holes.
Fuel gauges didn't work, they used a stick to estimate fuel levels .
The pilots made a stupid error reach for the fuel transfer valve, pulled the fuel dump valve in error
They dumped the fuel to prevent fire knowing they were about to crash..
.... What became of the plane wreckage?... Were there autopsy/morgue photos, COD write ups?
Total bs about Artimus Pyle getting shot. I saw the interview of with those folks on that farm property. They do say however that the man, can’t recall his name… Betty’s husband, said he shot in the air. Artimus has been known over the years to bend the truth. In addition to that, he also received very minimal injuries like no broken or fractured bones at all. This all can be found by doing just a little digging and researching.
As you approach Baton Rouge in the air from the east, the crash site is still noticeable on the right.
So incredibly spooky/chilling. I'm glad you added this
Gene Odom said Jo Jo wasn't coming back she was messing around with Allen and that was trouble and her drug and alcohol problems were way out of control
Great content ❤
People were stealing momentous of the band. From personal property to pieces of the plane. KNOWN FACT.
37:02 Not doing everything possible to help is foreign to me. I’m from the South, but surely this isn’t limited to us.
The south is amazing! The people in the south are incredible. That's absolutely for sure. Thank you so much for being here!
Their long time roadie is on here> THE STONED ROADIE SHOW
Thanks for catching that!! Hi @thestonedroadieshow
Craig Reed the fat a hater lol
That's not true that Artemis wasn't shot. I've heard that he was called a coward because he ran away from the plane crash knowing that help was already coming to them. That's the stories I've heard over the years and did you ever see a gun shot wound on his shoulder.
It was definitely hard trying to get the full and true story here. Every account seems to differ, and obviously I don't have access to the medical records lol! But basically, there's a lot of dispute if he was shot or not. The farmer in one interview says that he fired a "warning shot" but another witness says he was shot. The other two who were with him were billy powell and a roadie and neither have really spoken about it publicly (that I could find at least!) so I went off of Artimus's account and the farmer's account. While the farmer says he fired a warning shot, he also said he fired twice. So I deduced the 2nd shot to be the one that grazed his shoulder, since there were also multiple reports it grazed his shoulder.
Some things we may never know for sure! ha!
the dude may not have been shot but Artie is the one who literally walked thru a gator infested swamp - the 2 fellas with him both said Artimus jumped in the swamp without pause - he's no coward - he's a Marine also - 70 yrs old and I guarantee you don't want any part of him
Artimus was not shot by the farmer. I’ve watched so many documentaries and biographies covering LS and one I remember interviewed the farmer who confirmed that he only fired a warning shot over his head and the medical staff that was on duty at the hospital where he was taken and they all confirmed that he was not treated for a gunshot wound. He was treated for bumps and bruises and a possible rib injury and released. Artimus is definitely a story teller.
@Hardonfishing, This is the first time anyone has told of seeing Ronnie's body at the crash site. I don't know if it is taboo to do so for reasons unknown, maybe of being sued by the Van Zant family. I know you were 12 years old but are you sure it was Ronnie's body or one of the other four men that died in the crash. Remember Dean Kilpatrick, Steve Gains, The pilot, and co-pilot also died that horrible night also. I don't guess it really matters who it was, but it just seems a disrespect of the dead to have their feet hanging outside the door like that. I wasn"t there so I can't comprehend what those first responders had to go through that night. Couldn't have been an easy process. Still its sad to hear these details.
I don't doubt his story, actually. In the old newspaper articles, you see photos of Ronnie with his feet hanging out like that.
@@ROOTSMUSICHISTORYthat was the pilot
Nothing new here. Just her enthusiasm which is admirable.
I heard they ran out of fuel because they tried to switch fuel from the right tank to the left one . But accidentally dumped it all my mistake. And that another band Aerosmith looked at the plane prior and didn't like the pilots substance abuse or the plane. And passed it up.
At 2:55 into this video you show an actual cell photo of the plane's engine on fire which is NOT TRUE! They did not have cell phones in 1977 alone a cell phone camera. Wherever that picture came from it did not come from the Convair CV-240 which was a 2-prop engine plane not a jet plane which the photo shows.
Re watch please and read the entire screen. It says just kidding.