It was a loss to the music industry, the fans, and most of all the families but the Gains family lost 2. As a parent I can’t imagine the grief these families felt. All because the pilot gambled with their lives.
And Tom still shows support to the Skynyrd family! He attended the Rockin for a Reason in Jacksonville last week which the proceeds benefited the survivors of this 77 skynyrd crash.
lynyrd skynyrd was called the most unlucky band in rock and roll. to me they were the most iconic band in rock and roll.so damn much of my teen years and my time in the Marine Corps was spent idolizing the band. all these years later it hasn't changed.
lynynyrd Skynyrd is the best live band ever. Their energy and presence is unmatched. I'm not talking about jumping around acting like idiots like today's bands. they didn't need to. the music was electric. it spoke for itself.
That's a really bold claim but as someone who saw them live in 77 and hundreds of other live shows in my lifetime I would have to pretty much agree with that statement.
I discovered LS not too long ago. This band went straight into my blood stream. And never left. Very talented musicians, led by an amazing singer. Thank your for giving us never ending entertainment and joy through your songs and music. Love.
I found a DVD at a local pond shop that had sweet home Alabama song on it which is why I bought it. Got it home&it turned out to be the Lynyrd Skynyrd movie. I got to learn about the plane crash story,ect. I gained a new respect for the original band&mourned the plane crash victims. I love the original band more than ever now! Ed King helping bring sweet home Alabama to life is awesome!
Watching this documentary six days after Gary Rossington passing away. Praying for his family, friends and millions of fans. Sad for us living, but celebrations in Heaven, Fly High Free Birds. You all are missed. Thank you for the music! 🙏
Thankfully Ronnie left us with some of the best songs ever written still to this day They where truly a once in a life time Rock and Roller band LS music will be around forever A big salute to the greatest band ever to come out of the south
It was a great piece of reporting by a hometown news reporter. Mr Wills has always covered all things Skynyrd with the utmost respect. He is a class act.
Allen Collins looked so lost without Ronnie there to smile&appreciate his stage performance after Ronnie's death. He forever missed his best friend&we all do!
@@JoshToksPop85 He most likely felt more connected to the band vs other news reporters because of living there as well. Thanks for sharing that info, good to know.
@howabouthetruth2157 that's exactly what it was. And after the crash he actually got to know the remaining members of LS. I know Gary and Billy really appreciated how he reported on the crash & the deaths. Tom became thier go to news guy when they had something to report, like thier return, or 1 of thier many so called " final " tours..
Horrible year, I was a high school senior at the time. Lost my favorite band Skynyrd, Elvis and then on a cold snowy day that December, our local college Basketball team ( University of Evansville Aces) were all killed in a plane crash. I will always remember that night.
Wow tfc! I’m sorry that you had these losses. Wow your story made me just speechless. I don’t comment on anyone’s YT comments this one one was crazy. God bless and thank you for sharing your personal experiences.
Just about everytime I hear one of these stories about L.S. going down and killing some of the band it absolutely makes me feel sick to my stomach..... Just terrible, they left us way too soon.
@@chadhendrixson9840 hey this is Kratom Tree of Life I'm just on my other channel you can email me at keelkim68@gmail.com. I'll tell you all about it. I saw it to some of the band members and Skynyrd and some of their kids
Airplanes have taken a lot of singers lives. From Jim Reeves to Patsy Cline......from Buddy Holly to Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper.....from Ron Van Zant to Randy Rhodes.....from Troy Gentry to Otis Redding......from Ricky Nelson to John Denver......from cowboy Copas to Hawkshaw Hawkins......from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Jim Croce.......etc
I was going to see Ozzy with Randy Rhodes but 2 days before the concert in Orlando tragedy struck. It wasn’t but a few weeks ago I saw a video with the bassist in Ozzy’s band at that time telling a story of what really happened that day. The guy piloting the little plane had gone through a bunch of drama with his girlfriend. He was upset with her. He literally aimed that plane with Randy on board at his girlfriend who was at the door of the bus Ozzy was sleeping in to try and kill her. Randy grabbed the steering and wrestled to keep it from killing them. But the plane still clipped the bus and crashed into the mansion right near the bus. So in all reality Randy was a total hero of hat saved Ozzy , Sharon, that girlfriend of the pilot and who knows who else. I pray Randy is in Heaven and I will finally one day see him play.
I was born a year after the accident, but I still think Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the best bands ever to come out period, with so many timeless classics.
Thank You haven't seen this since 1977.Every time the subject is brought up in guitar or music shops here in Jacksonville Tom Wills is mentioned, he did a great job.
Reporter Tom Wills seems genuine, caring and staying within boundaries with a tragedy as this. He's out there reporting the story, as true Journalists should . I wonder, but i doubt, he knew how badly his profession is missed today .I might be wrong, first time i've heard of him. Im judging from the facts, He wasn't being rude, like jammin micro phones in peoples faces demanding info, digging for dirt on people involved etc...like the political liberal hacks reporting nowadays. The South has always reminded us Yanks that you'll rise again, right? Us Northern brothers are waiting ..
I was born in 1986, and have heard them as far back as I can remember, they were like gods to my dad, there isn’t a band or individual artist out there today that could even come close to the soul and feeling in Skynrds music , it’s no mistake why freebird Tuesday’s gone and sweet home Alabama can still be heard frequently on rock and country stations, because they are irreplaceable
Thank you very much for sharing this...I have been looking for footage about the plane crash for years and I glad this is from a original broadcast! Good seeing so much about Ronnie
Grew up with your music. Love it as much as as I ever did. Jonnnie you truly do your brother proud. Much love and thanks for all the memories your music brings.
I had tickets to the MSG show in NYC which was about 6 weeks after the crash. When I heard of the crash, I was in the library at school and just threw my tickets on a table and walked away. How tragic. Long live Skynyrd. They were and will always be the best.
In case anyone is interested that week in April 1975 Skynyrd made $118,117.00 which may not seem like a lot of but in today's money almost exactly 45 years later 4/15/20 that is $566,687.00, not too shabby for a Week's worth of work!!!
They were called "My Backyard" first. I have lived 5 miles from the crash sight since 1975 and I was there on that dark country road that night. i was only 8 years old and will never forget it. I have never seen as many helicopters flying around one place since. They all had spotlights shining into the dark thick woods. We try to make it on every Oct 20th to pay respect's to them. 2 years later I picked up my first guitar
I’m in this interview and was asked what I thought about the experience. Very traumatic as a teen. Sudden and unexpected, no advance notice, no rewinds. My father was on the HERO team. He and others, were preparing the way for first responders as rescue and recovery began. 40 years later, I’m still processing it all.
Wow David thank you for sharing that and thanks to your dad and all the HERO Team for being there that day...It is hard to think it has been 40 years ago...
It's a shame what happened, that awful plane crash. Still, Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the all time greatest rock and roll bands ever. Decidedly the very greatest Southern Rock band of all time. The song writing of RVZ, and the musicianship of the band, has never been equaled, and never ever will be. Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote the book of Southern Rock, and they conquered and ruled the mid-'70's. Undisputed Kings.
I’m building a guitar from wood from the Hell House original Dock, and foundation from Hell House, and incorporating metal from the plane. Once it’s complete we will loan it out to touring musicians so those timber’s will continue to sing and vibrate. LLLS. Long Live Lynyrd Skynyrd.,.
Just got to meet mr wills at the new monument at crash site... great story he did on them and a great tribute to the band..... exactly 42 years ago today
Now this month of March 5, 2023 Gary Rossington passed away now all the original members are in Heaven and home. Thank you for the may years of excellent music and times together in mind and spirit. RIP my friends. 🙌🏻🙏🏻
I was a sophomore in high school on October 20,1977. I had seen them in concert in July of that year in Oakland, A "Day On The Green" put on by Bill Graham, -40 days or so earlier. I was a bit stunned back in the day that this had happened. The Deacon
I was 15 years old in 77, they were THE band in my school and friends in Texas. shame my mom would not let me go to their concert with my older brother when they came to town before the crash.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see them. I was three years older than you and I was fortunate enough to see them three times. I am grateful for that. However, I regret that I never got to see Led Zeppelin and I know how you feel about not seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Saddest day in rock enroll history my favorite band they started up years later and we're great all over again but without Ronnie is just wasn't the same as the original band
Never seen any footage of any of the road crew or band members shortly after the crash, so this absolutely a new one for me. Billy Powell was one of the luckiest survivors injury wise, and he's still got a gash down the middle of his face! What a horrible day for music
I remember that day. A very SAD day! I had seen the original band three times before and I was waiting for tickets to go on sale the following week for there next show. I was 18 and standing in the living room when I heard about the crash on the news. I've never seen them after that.
He said Ed king was an original member which isn't true. Ed wasn't even on the muscle shoals album. When they first formed they only had two guitarists which were, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. Also the lady in interview talked about Gary, Allen and Ronnie wanting to start a band. It was Ronnie, Gary and Bob Burns in the beginning. Ronnie, Gary and Bob asked Allen to join because he had sound equiptment.
Holly Who me2. Sittin with a frynd in my kitchen. Didnt believe it. Tried to see them, bk then in st. louis but my mom wouldnt go for it. I think i was 12 then. Rock on
Like someone else said, there is not one bad song by Skynyrd!!! That's very true, every song they ever did was good, that's saying alot, not many if at all can compare to that. Lynyrd Skynyrd songs will go on forever 🤘
How tragic. You did a very competent and very accurate expression as Ronnie Van Zant. Tho I will always go back to the originals I still have on CDs and even some on cassettes. Still the music speaks for itself, and I have to say that, in MY opinion, your interpretations of certain songs is almost indistinguishable from Ronnie Van Zank and the others. Thank you respectfully for sharing this with all of us!!
I was under the impression that the pilot put the landing gear down too soon and that is what caught the tree tops and sent it in to a 45 degree angle down instantly. Not the wings. That was from one of the survivors of the crash, talking about the landing gear.
Well they were incompetent enough to dump vs transfer the fuel so I'd say they likely in the panic left gear down after aborting landing in the pasture? Which I'm sure greatly upped the catastrophic damage & possibly killed more. The gear is mounted to the strongest main structure of the plane, whereas wings must be very strong but often are made to shear off in strong frontal impacts so as to not destroy the entire fuselage. Some planes may require an engine on to raise gear but think most are electric hydraulic. Provided battery is good! Transferring fuel is such a basic routine on airplanes in order to maintain balance & CG as fuel drops. And how they ran it low on fuel with a plane full of people is another mystery. Seems I read somewhere 1 or both motors was running rich, but that's just all the more reason to follow protocol & top the tanks before taking off for a longer flight with a load of people? To think, had the pilots done right how differently things would've turned out for all those lost. The fans & the music industry too. They would've made it to the nearby airport, topped up, & safely been on their way. 😢💔 It's always bothered me how the pilots were clearly not qualified to haul precious cargo, which is exactly what they were doing! I'd not be surprised if they just barely passed to fly cargo planes by the chain of screw-ups that piled on to create this tragedy. It's either that or they were FUI(flying under influence) & did something idiotic like belt back a bunch of booze or smoke a bowl before putting these people's lives in their hands. I've clearly not seen the NTSB report which would indicate all of this...
They didn’t dump fuel. The right engine was running in a fuel rich mode. The fuel gauge on the plane didn’t work, so they had to check the fuel level with a stick. According to the NTSB: In the end, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the crash was "fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply." The NTSB accident report also cited "inadequate flight planning and an engine malfunction of undetermined nature.”
I can't imagine being on an airplane thousands of miles in the sky and someone telling me to fasten my seat belt and brace myself because we are out of gas and going to crash but they're going to TRY and land this plane I'm on in a field. 😐 Would I cry and freak out? Would I sit in silence with my eyes closed and talk to God one last time? What would I tell him? Would my heart just stop beating from fear and die before we crashed? 😐 That's what makes me so sad when I think about them. My questions really have no answers. 😞
I lived in New Orleans at the time of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crash. I remember the day this happened. Luckily I had seen Lynyrd Skynyrd a year before this in 1976 at the Warehouse in New Orleans. I had friends that had tickets for their show in Baton Rouge. They where going to play at a venue I had seen Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Alice Cooper.
It's sad that there has been so much dissention between them all since the crash. Gary and Dale came to my hometown when they were first married and were on our radio statuon "WXQR". I met Dale and she was so sweey. None of them are broke and few are left. Life is but a vapor. Make it count. Prayers for all.
I’d heard Ronnie’s dad always said he was worthless. He then took his dad on tour and said “there are 100,000 people who don’t think I’m worthless Dad”.
I went to Robert E. Lee high school in 1973 - it was about 9 years after they went there - I don't remember coach Skinner - but I understand he started a realty business called Skinner Realty and I remember seeing those signs in many places [ Back then the school did not have air conditioning and heating was by steam radiators Towards the end of the year - in June when it was getting hot - we would open all the windows and drop little paper helicopters out ... [ In the back of the school to the left of the sports field - there was a line of bamboo - behind which some of the kids would go there and smoke [ also just to the other side of the school - there was a little Skinner's Dairy store ( not affiliated with coach Skinner ) . I used to get a dollar for lunch money from my parents - and with it i could go there and get a little pack of doughnuts or cinnamon rolls, a pint of milk, and a pack of cigarettes - and have some change left over ... [ One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Manning - she said that her nephew was Archie Manning - a famous NFL football player at the time .
5:13 ohh my Goddess ...Ladies and Gentlemen....Leonard Skinner the one and only ( man I’ve always wanted to see how he looked like , gee he was a handsome dude , no wonder why Lynyrd Skynyrd band only had beauty around them , beautiful legacy , beautiful music , beautiful history!
I remember when this happened and a friend of mine asking me...have you heard about what happened to Lynyrd Skynyrd?I answered no why what happened?And he told me they had a plane crash and the lead singer got killed along with some others including a guitar player,and needless to say I was shocked.
I know. It's just beyond belief. And the day after the crash, it's alleged (by a band member) a million bucks disappeared from the bands accounts, holdings, etc.
Lynyrd skynyrd is the reason I became a musician, singer and songwriter, they were a part of my life all through my childhood. No other band like them.....
The older I get the harder it is for me so October 20 the I don't listen to radio the thing for sure Ronnie is Remembered and they don't say Lynyrd no more., Ronnie was the Spirit as Allen said.
I dont know if I believe in things like this but I want to believe Ronnie Van Zant came here and did what he was suppose to do although we all could habe used about 5 more albums Rest in peace Ronnie,Steve and Cassie
God bless this amazing band, gone but never to be forgotten. Such a tremendous waste because there was no good reason for it, and nobody there to stop it. Why in the hell would you get back on that airplane with flames shooting out one engine? Then, mind-boggling ineptitude in the cockpit that allowed the flight then ran out of gas.
To me, October 20th, 1977, was the day the music REALLY died. Still breaks my heart to this day...God Bless the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band!!!
Tt
I agree with you 100%
I agree 110% Truly the day the music died. I just thank baby brother Johnny and Gary for keeping the legend going
It was a loss to the music industry, the fans, and most of all the families but the Gains family lost 2. As a parent I can’t imagine the grief these families felt. All because the pilot gambled with their lives.
I believe the “spirit” of the band will never die. ❤️✌🏼🤘🏼
Tom Wills really put is heart in his reporting of Skynyrd. He really cared.
Fat deal
Tom knew his Jacksonville audience really loved Skynard, I'm sure he did too. I met him in A class. He partied hard in the late 60's-70's
And Tom still shows support to the Skynyrd family! He attended the Rockin for a Reason in Jacksonville last week which the proceeds benefited the survivors of this 77 skynyrd crash.
He still keeps up with them here in 2023 he promoted their sharped dressed simple man tour
Tom Wills is so old...but he keeps on working it. I remember when he was the new guy on Ch 4 with Debra Gianolous....50 + years ago....
lynyrd skynyrd was called the most unlucky band in rock and roll. to me they were the most iconic band in rock and roll.so damn much of my teen years and my time in the Marine Corps was spent idolizing the band. all these years later it hasn't changed.
lynynyrd Skynyrd is the best live band ever. Their energy and presence is unmatched. I'm not talking about jumping around acting like idiots like today's bands. they didn't need to. the music was electric. it spoke for itself.
That's a really bold claim but as someone who saw them live in 77 and hundreds of other live shows in my lifetime I would have to pretty much agree with that statement.
I enjoyed so much Mr. Allen Collins live WOW!!!!
never saw them but i believe acdc to be the best live band
lynyrd Skynyrd was a great live band as well.
@@frankgalvin Wrong! ..... Sorry!
After all these years, it still makes me tear up. 💔
yeah me to
Me too😞😢
Me too.
Ya when Billy says I don't think so
I discovered LS not too long ago. This band went straight into my blood stream. And never left. Very talented musicians, led by an amazing singer. Thank your for giving us never ending entertainment and joy through your songs and music. Love.
I found a DVD at a local pond shop that had sweet home Alabama song on it which is why I bought it. Got it home&it turned out to be the Lynyrd Skynyrd movie. I got to learn about the plane crash story,ect. I gained a new respect for the original band&mourned the plane crash victims. I love the original band more than ever now! Ed King helping bring sweet home Alabama to life is awesome!
Lol. Shituns of excellent music
Watching this documentary six days after Gary Rossington passing away. Praying for his family, friends and millions of fans. Sad for us living, but celebrations in Heaven, Fly High Free Birds. You all are missed. Thank you for the music! 🙏
Amen
And know we’ve lost Gary.RIP🙏❤️
Lynyrd skynyrd ended that day as far as im concered.
me too!!
fact
Yeah... But, They live on!
Ronnie wasn't the only member in the band ,why should the rest have to stop playing under a name they built up?
Thankfully Ronnie left us with some of the best songs ever written still to this day They where truly a once in a life time Rock and Roller band LS music will be around forever A big salute to the greatest band ever to come out of the south
Amen to that
Amen!
Thanks for posting. What a great piece of broadcasting. Just the right amount of emotion, fact and tribute.
It was a great piece of reporting by a hometown news reporter. Mr Wills has always covered all things Skynyrd with the utmost respect. He is a class act.
Thank you for posting this.
Such a tragedy! RIP to all those that have went to Rock N' Roll Heaven....This band is the best EVER!!!!!
Billy Powell's "I don't think so.." is heartbreaking. 💔
Allen Collins looked so lost without Ronnie there to smile&appreciate his stage performance after Ronnie's death. He forever missed his best friend&we all do!
News reporter Tom Wills really put a lot of effort and heart into writing & narrating this news story about the tragedy.
yes he did an awesome job..... heartwarming
He is from the same hometown as Skynard
@@JoshToksPop85 He most likely felt more connected to the band vs other news reporters because of living there as well. Thanks for sharing that info, good to know.
@howabouthetruth2157 that's exactly what it was. And after the crash he actually got to know the remaining members of LS. I know Gary and Billy really appreciated how he reported on the crash & the deaths. Tom became thier go to news guy when they had something to report, like thier return, or 1 of thier many so called " final " tours..
@@JoshToksPop85 Very interesting. Thank you Joshua! God Bless you and your family.
Horrible year, I was a high school senior at the time. Lost my favorite band Skynyrd, Elvis and then on a cold snowy day that December, our local college Basketball team ( University of Evansville Aces) were all killed in a plane crash. I will always remember that night.
Wow tfc! I’m sorry that you had these losses. Wow your story made me just speechless. I don’t comment on anyone’s YT comments this one one was crazy. God bless and thank you for sharing your personal experiences.
Wow! Terrible!
Just about everytime I hear one of these stories about L.S. going down and killing some of the band it absolutely makes me feel sick to my stomach..... Just terrible, they left us way too soon.
Come to my channel. I sell Kratom to Gary. Leon's son Lee and few others.
@@kimkeel3771 just saw this comment and im very interested. I dont wanna take suboxone anymore
@@chadhendrixson9840 hey this is Kratom Tree of Life I'm just on my other channel you can email me at keelkim68@gmail.com. I'll tell you all about it. I saw it to some of the band members and Skynyrd and some of their kids
@@chadhendrixson9840 here I am on my other channel I sent you my email here it is again.. keelkim68@gmail.com
Airplanes have taken a lot of singers lives. From Jim Reeves to Patsy Cline......from Buddy Holly to Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper.....from Ron Van Zant to Randy Rhodes.....from Troy Gentry to Otis Redding......from Ricky Nelson to John Denver......from cowboy Copas to Hawkshaw Hawkins......from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Jim Croce.......etc
Yep...Aaliyah! In 2001!
I was going to see Ozzy with Randy Rhodes but 2 days before the concert in Orlando tragedy struck. It wasn’t but a few weeks ago I saw a video with the bassist in Ozzy’s band at that time telling a story of what really happened that day. The guy piloting the little plane had gone through a bunch of drama with his girlfriend. He was upset with her. He literally aimed that plane with Randy on board at his girlfriend who was at the door of the bus Ozzy was sleeping in to try and kill her. Randy grabbed the steering and wrestled to keep it from killing them. But the plane still clipped the bus and crashed into the mansion right near the bus. So in all reality Randy was a total hero of hat saved Ozzy , Sharon, that girlfriend of the pilot and who knows who else. I pray Randy is in Heaven and I will finally one day see him play.
CAR ACCIDENTS & DRUG overdoses taken more.
Dang them airplanes we got robbed
Best rehearsed american rock band ever!! Not up for debate. Long live the south!
I was born a year after the accident, but I still think Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the best bands ever to come out period, with so many timeless classics.
What a great loss. Trust me, you'll not be forgotten.
Thank You haven't seen this since 1977.Every time the subject is brought up in guitar or music shops here in Jacksonville Tom Wills is mentioned, he did a great job.
Reporter Tom Wills seems genuine, caring and staying within boundaries with a tragedy as this. He's out there reporting the story, as true Journalists should . I wonder, but i doubt, he knew how badly his profession is missed today .I might be wrong, first time i've heard of him. Im judging from the facts, He wasn't being rude, like jammin micro phones in peoples faces demanding info, digging for dirt on people involved etc...like the political liberal hacks reporting nowadays. The South has always reminded us Yanks that you'll rise again, right? Us Northern brothers are waiting ..
Yes, Tom Wills has sort of taken the Skynyrd story as a lifetime project.
I was born in 1986, and have heard them as far back as I can remember, they were like gods to my dad, there isn’t a band or individual artist out there today that could even come close to the soul and feeling in Skynrds music , it’s no mistake why freebird Tuesday’s gone and sweet home Alabama can still be heard frequently on rock and country stations, because they are irreplaceable
bret fitzpatrick Thank you Bret The band would of been honored to hear you say that God bless you and your Father . Thanks.
Right on....I was born in 65...They ARE legends!
Thank you very much for sharing this...I have been looking for footage about the plane crash for years and I glad this is from a original broadcast! Good seeing so much about Ronnie
Missed but NEVER forgotten..
NEVER! Their music and, souls, live on for EVER!
We still remember you!
RIP LYNYRD SKYNYRD ✌
Grew up with your music. Love it as much as as I ever did. Jonnnie you truly do your brother proud. Much love and thanks for all the memories your music brings.
I had tickets to the MSG show in NYC which was about 6 weeks after the crash. When I heard of the crash, I was in the library at school and just threw my tickets on a table and walked away. How tragic. Long live Skynyrd. They were and will always be the best.
You should've kept them. They would be worth money today.
I would have paid you $100.000.00 a ticket and gave you a 1 gallon jar of pickled hog knuckles for them.
A miracle there were survivors! Rest in peace Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, and Dean!! The songs you all gave us will always be played and loved. 😍🎶🎹
You all? Most songs were penned by Ronnie and Allen
@@mikep5321Not true at all
In case anyone is interested that week in April 1975 Skynyrd made $118,117.00 which may not seem like a lot of but in today's money almost exactly 45 years later 4/15/20 that is $566,687.00, not too shabby for a Week's worth of work!!!
God Bless Lynyrd Synyrd and their loyal legion of fans!
They were called "My Backyard" first. I have lived 5 miles from the crash sight since 1975 and I was there on that dark country road that night. i was only 8 years old and will never forget it. I have never seen as many helicopters flying around one place since. They all had spotlights shining into the dark thick woods. We try to make it on every Oct 20th to pay respect's to them. 2 years later I picked up my first guitar
Mike Murphy the were the 1% band first my frynd
Watch video
Mike Murphy is the site accessible to the public?
I’m in this interview and was asked what I thought about the experience. Very traumatic as a teen. Sudden and unexpected, no advance notice, no rewinds. My father was on the HERO team. He and others, were preparing the way for first responders as rescue and recovery began. 40 years later, I’m still processing it all.
Wow David thank you for sharing that and thanks to your dad and all the HERO Team for being there that day...It is hard to think it has been 40 years ago...
It's a shame what happened, that awful plane crash. Still, Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the all time greatest rock and roll bands ever. Decidedly the very greatest Southern Rock band of all time. The song writing of RVZ, and the musicianship of the band, has never been equaled, and never ever will be. Lynyrd Skynyrd wrote the book of Southern Rock, and they conquered and ruled the mid-'70's. Undisputed Kings.
I’m building a guitar from wood from the Hell House original Dock, and foundation from Hell House, and incorporating metal from the plane. Once it’s complete we will loan it out to touring musicians so those timber’s will continue to sing and vibrate. LLLS.
Long Live Lynyrd Skynyrd.,.
😢😢😰😭😭
God I loved all you boys. Thanks for giving us all so much... Peace
I am from Gvl SC I was a teen back then, I wasn't at that last concert, but my brother and friends were. Sad Day
Just got to meet mr wills at the new monument at crash site... great story he did on them and a great tribute to the band..... exactly 42 years ago today
Now this month of March 5, 2023 Gary Rossington passed away now all the original members are in Heaven and home. Thank you for the may years of excellent music and times together in mind and spirit. RIP my friends. 🙌🏻🙏🏻
So sad to hear Ronnie's father answer such an inappropriate question in the hospital.
It's strange, 70s, big time, ,went gone 2ooo , found um again ❤
When I go to heaven I'll get to see them play!!!🎸⚰😇
Wow
R.I.P. Gary Rossington
Ronnie's legacy still lives on and will live on for generations to come. RIP Ronnie. I will see you on the other side.
100 yards short of a pasture. That just sucks.
RIP Gary Rossington
I was a sophomore in high school on October 20,1977. I had seen them in concert in July of that year in Oakland, A "Day On The Green" put on by Bill Graham, -40 days or so earlier. I was a bit stunned back in the day that this had happened.
The Deacon
Only seen it on video.
This was a sad day just think how big they would have been. Freebird,Simpleman so many songs in a short time. Gone but never forgotten RIP freebirds
Best Rock Band Ever🤟
A very sad day in my teenage years
I was 15 years old in 77, they were THE band in my school and friends in Texas. shame my mom would not let me go to their concert with my older brother when they came to town before the crash.
I'm sorry you didn't get to see them. I was three years older than you and I was fortunate enough to see them three times. I am grateful for that. However, I regret that I never got to see Led Zeppelin and I know how you feel about not seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd.
They never got to enjoy their success. So sad!
Yep, we listened to the Street Survivor album over and over, memorized every word,
So unfortunate, just a shame😕
Saddest day in rock enroll history my favorite band they started up years later and we're great all over again but without Ronnie is just wasn't the same as the original band
There was no replacing Ronnie!! He was the Heart and Soul of the Band. Fly High Freebird!!
Best bands ever
Never seen any footage of any of the road crew or band members shortly after the crash, so this absolutely a new one for me. Billy Powell was one of the luckiest survivors injury wise, and he's still got a gash down the middle of his face! What a horrible day for music
james crowe well why don't you dig him up and find out dumbass
@@wingnutt4200 hahahahaahha
Pyle the drummer was the luckiest he walked away.
@@mr.majestic2667 Artimus had some broken ribs but yeah he and Powell had the fewest injury’s outta of the band
I remember that day. A very SAD day! I had seen the original band three times before and I was waiting for tickets to go on sale the following week for there next show. I was 18 and standing in the living room when I heard about the crash on the news. I've never seen them after that.
Mike Reed I guess you never seen him after that because they crashed
He said Ed king was an original member which isn't true. Ed wasn't even on the muscle shoals album. When they first formed they only had two guitarists which were, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington. Also the lady in interview talked about Gary, Allen and Ronnie wanting to start a band. It was Ronnie, Gary and Bob Burns in the beginning. Ronnie, Gary and Bob asked Allen to join because he had sound equiptment.
We still remember that day , Lynyrd Skynyrd
So sad i remember exactly where i was and what i was doing . when the crash was announced..
Holly Who me2. Sittin with a frynd in my kitchen. Didnt believe it. Tried to see them, bk then in st. louis but my mom wouldnt go for it. I think i was 12 then. Rock on
Always liked lynard sknard sad some of the original members are no longer with us r.I.p.to you all.
i was in carls pool room thomasville georgia when i heard the news that the free bird had feel!
Like someone else said, there is not one bad song by Skynyrd!!!
That's very true, every song they ever did was good, that's saying alot, not many if at all can compare to that.
Lynyrd Skynyrd songs will go on forever 🤘
How tragic. You did a very competent and very accurate expression as Ronnie Van Zant. Tho I will always go back to the originals I still have on CDs and even some on cassettes. Still the music speaks for itself, and I have to say that, in MY opinion, your interpretations of certain songs is almost indistinguishable from Ronnie Van Zank and the others. Thank you respectfully for sharing this with all of us!!
I was under the impression that the pilot put the landing gear down too soon and that is what caught the tree tops and sent it in to a 45 degree angle down instantly. Not the wings. That was from one of the survivors of the crash, talking about the landing gear.
True..
Well they were incompetent enough to dump vs transfer the fuel so I'd say they likely in the panic left gear down after aborting landing in the pasture? Which I'm sure greatly upped the catastrophic damage & possibly killed more. The gear is mounted to the strongest main structure of the plane, whereas wings must be very strong but often are made to shear off in strong frontal impacts so as to not destroy the entire fuselage.
Some planes may require an engine on to raise gear but think most are electric hydraulic. Provided battery is good! Transferring fuel is such a basic routine on airplanes in order to maintain balance & CG as fuel drops. And how they ran it low on fuel with a plane full of people is another mystery. Seems I read somewhere 1 or both motors was running rich, but that's just all the more reason to follow protocol & top the tanks before taking off for a longer flight with a load of people? To think, had the pilots done right how differently things would've turned out for all those lost. The fans & the music industry too. They would've made it to the nearby airport, topped up, & safely been on their way.
😢💔
It's always bothered me how the pilots were clearly not qualified to haul precious cargo, which is exactly what they were doing! I'd not be surprised if they just barely passed to fly cargo planes by the chain of screw-ups that piled on to create this tragedy. It's either that or they were FUI(flying under influence) & did something idiotic like belt back a bunch of booze or smoke a bowl before putting these people's lives in their hands. I've clearly not seen the NTSB report which would indicate all of this...
They didn’t dump fuel. The right engine was running in a fuel rich mode. The fuel gauge on the plane didn’t work, so they had to check the fuel level with a stick.
According to the NTSB:
In the end, the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the probable cause of the crash was "fuel exhaustion and total loss of power from both engines due to crew inattention to fuel supply." The NTSB accident report also cited "inadequate flight planning and an engine malfunction of undetermined nature.”
Thanks for sharing!!
I can't imagine being on an airplane thousands of miles in the sky and someone telling me to fasten my seat belt and brace myself because we are out of gas and going to crash but they're going to TRY and land this plane I'm on in a field. 😐
Would I cry and freak out? Would I sit in silence with my eyes closed and talk to God one last time? What would I tell him? Would my heart just stop beating from fear and die before we crashed? 😐
That's what makes me so sad when I think about them. My questions really have no answers. 😞
I read that Aerosmith rejected that same plane as THEIR touring plane.
Damn. Is give anything for it to have been aerosmith on the plane instead
Fly On Free Birds 🐦 You're free at last... See yall whenever I get to Heaven
Totally avoidable, that's the tragedy. What could have been is what we'll wonder for an eternity.
God only knows what these guys would've achieved had they lived..sad
This is exactly what I've been looking for! Inside view of the plane crash footage!
We had that same dress code at my school in East Texas.
Same thing at my high school. And if you were in athletics, you had to get a crew cut.
That Was A Sad Day 40 Years Ago
Very sad and a huge loss to Rock n Roll. God bless them all up in heaven ❤
R.I.P. TO ALL, THE DAY MY MUSIC DIED, COUSIN FIGEL
I lived in New Orleans at the time of Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crash. I remember the day this happened. Luckily I had seen Lynyrd Skynyrd a year before this in 1976 at the Warehouse in New Orleans. I had friends that had tickets for their show in Baton Rouge. They where going to play at a venue I had seen Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Alice Cooper.
Never forgotten😭
It's sad that there has been so much dissention between them all since the crash. Gary and Dale came to my hometown when they were first married and were on our radio statuon "WXQR". I met Dale and she was so sweey. None of them are broke and few are left. Life is but a vapor. Make it count. Prayers for all.
iam a pilot, this pilot should not have been flying or the plane.
So sad and tragic great documentary
I’d heard Ronnie’s dad always said he was worthless. He then took his dad on tour and said “there are 100,000 people who don’t think I’m worthless Dad”.
TX Camper that's so stupid Lacey loved his number one son he just wished he had aborted Johnny
@@wingnutt4200 What a crude, cruel remark,
THAT SOUNDS LIKE TOTAL BULLSHIT
Never mind you are just an ignorant asshole you ain’t worth my reply
@@wingnutt4200 GFY💁♀️
Really loved these folks.
Missed so very much!!!!
I went to Robert E. Lee high school in 1973 - it was about 9 years after they went there - I don't remember coach Skinner - but I understand he started a realty business called Skinner Realty and I remember seeing those signs in many places
[
Back then the school did not have air conditioning and heating was by steam radiators
Towards the end of the year - in June when it was getting hot - we would open all the windows and drop little paper helicopters out ...
[
In the back of the school to the left of the sports field - there was a line of bamboo - behind which some of the kids would go there and smoke
[
also just to the other side of the school - there was a little Skinner's Dairy store ( not affiliated with coach Skinner ) . I used to get a dollar for lunch money from my parents - and with it i could go there and get a little pack of doughnuts or cinnamon rolls, a pint of milk, and a pack of cigarettes - and have some change left over ...
[
One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Manning - she said that her nephew was Archie Manning - a famous NFL football player at the time .
spinfowars thank you for the information that had nothing to do with Lynyrd Skynyrd
5:13 ohh my Goddess ...Ladies and Gentlemen....Leonard Skinner the one and only ( man I’ve always wanted to see how he looked like , gee he was a handsome dude , no wonder why Lynyrd Skynyrd band only had beauty around them , beautiful legacy , beautiful music , beautiful history!
The Greatest Band ever
AMEN
Most definitely
I remember when this happened and a friend of mine asking me...have you heard about what happened to Lynyrd Skynyrd?I answered no why what happened?And he told me they had a plane crash and the lead singer got killed along with some others including a guitar player,and needless to say I was shocked.
marc dewey wow really
Best band ever to grace a stage...
Classic southern sound
Devastating loss
It was a shame what the record company and new band did to some of the crash survivors refusing to pay their medical bills.
I know. It's just beyond belief. And the day after the crash, it's alleged (by a band member) a million bucks disappeared from the bands accounts, holdings, etc.
Horrific accident. Breaks my heart. Love this band and its history
Outstanding job!!!!
Tracy Gibson yes it was
I was born the year before the crash in muscle shoals Alabama. Dad met Ronnie Van zant in muscle shoals and said the swampers left a good one leave!
I just got chills from Ronnie's voice. All of my friends. Sexy.
Thank you 💘
Rest in peace ronnie steve billy powell Ed King Bob burns Alan Collins Cassie and more
Lynyrd skynyrd is the reason I became a musician, singer and songwriter, they were a part of my life all through my childhood. No other band like them.....
The older I get the harder it is for me so October 20 the I don't listen to radio the thing for sure Ronnie is Remembered and they don't say Lynyrd no more., Ronnie was the Spirit as Allen said.
I dont know if I believe in things like this but I want to believe Ronnie Van Zant came here and did what he was suppose to do although we all could habe used about 5 more albums Rest in peace Ronnie,Steve and Cassie
Brings tears
Awww :( i dont remember i was only 7 months old but so tragic😔
God bless this amazing band, gone but never to be forgotten. Such a tremendous waste because there was no good reason for it, and nobody there to stop it. Why in the hell would you get back on that airplane with flames shooting out one engine? Then, mind-boggling ineptitude in the cockpit that allowed the flight then ran out of gas.