Your email address will not be published. Six people were killed that night, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and hotshot newcomer Steve Gaines. Ronnie was born to Lacy Austin and Marion Virginia Van Zant. -- Mary Colurso. arrayan path, review The legendary name sprang from a disciplinarian teacher called Leonard Skinnerd who gave the boys hell in PE and forbade fashionable Beatle length hair. His spot in Skynyrd was taken by Mark "Sparky" Matejka, formerly of Hot Apple Pie, in 2006. Along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, she joined Skynyrd in December 1975; the trio became known as THE The Honkettes was the name given - Fans of Southern Editors picks Second Helping (1974) is miraculously every bit as emphatic. His incredible talents did not go unnoticed by his bandmate, Ronnie Van Zant. As might be expected, the album that was released just three days before the tragedy, Street Survivors, became one of their greatest hits in the wake of the spotlight on the events. Collins formed the Rossington Collins Band with Skynyrd bandmate Gary Rossington in 1979, and later, his own Allen Collins Band. JoJo, Leslie and newcomer Donna Basile, rounded out the Honkettes. Notable: Collins, a founding member of Skynyrd, co-wrote several of the band's most famous songs with Ronnie Van Zant. In the wake of the tragedy, the album became one of the band's biggest hits. The tragedy effectively splintered the band by 1982 and threw the grieving Collins himself into a spiral of substance abuse. WebReleased in late 1976, the album featured the band's new guitarist, Steve Gaines, and a trio of female backup singers, and it became Skynyrd's second Top Ten album. Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. ''I love it here. The lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd is also the brother of Donnie Van Zant. WebLynyrd Skynyrd , American rock band that rose to prominence during the Southern rock boom of the 1970s on the strength of its triple-guitar attack and gritty working-class Her final CD was titled I Will Obey. Skynyrd have endured until the present day and survived awful tragedies and terrible bad luck on the way but the Van Zant dynasty and their comrades Rossington and Collins remain an American institution. Jonny is a die-hard fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars! Although the worst seemed to be behind them by the 1990s after all, it would be hard to top the past 20 years of upsetting events the reunited Skynyrds lineup luck did not endure. ("The touring, the recording, the constant motion was too much," he told the Freebird Foundation, a fan group.) On October 20th, 1977, a chartered plane carrying the band Lynyrd Skynyrd in the midst of a headlining tour and fresh off the release of their sixth album crashed in a Gillsburg, Mississippi swamp. Role in band: Keyboard player (third from right in photo). Al Kooper signed Skynyrd to his label, Sounds of the South, which was distributed by MCA, and produced their self-titled debut LP, which borne the subtitle Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd (1973); the addition of former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King formed the backbone of the band's signature three-guitar sound, as displayed on the album's Top 20 lead single, "Free Bird," and helped to deliver the band its first gold record. In 2011, Johnny was hospitalized due to complications from previous surgery. Collins' life was marked by several tragedies: his wife died in 1980 and he became paralyzed from the waist down in a 1986 car crash that claimed the life of his girlfriend. Consider the classic Sweet Home Alabama which they wrote in answer to Neil Youngs Southern Man and Alabama wherein he implies that rednecks are racists and marvel at the three-pronged guitar attack. WebSince then, the band tragically lost Allen Collins, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson, yet Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with original member Gary Rossington joined What is the reflection of the story of princess urduja? Lynyrd Skynyrds lead singers age of death at that time was 29. The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time I'm Bihter. It was 45 years ago when a plane crash claimed the lives of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Vant and guitarist Steve Gaines, among others. The singer praised his vocal and instrumental skills both publicly and privately. heavy metal He remained in that role throughout his life, witnessing the band's tragedies and triumphs, and was beloved by fans as a Skynyrd mainstay. Throughout the band's early records, frontman Ronnie Van Zant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty that had more in common with country than rock & roll. That same year saw the group announce their farewell tour. She also performed with members of the group at occasional charity or memorial events [1]. The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour will see the American classic rock bands joined by singer and musician Uncle Kracker. lynyrd skynyrd. Posts on the signature song "Sweet Home Alabama", Lynyrd Skynyrd biographer Mark Ribowsky talks about the band, Which Lynyrd Skynyrd song are you? JoJo Billingsley , who was a backing singer for LYNYRD SKYNYRD from 1975 for two years, has died from cancer at the age of 58. Notable: Rossington, 65, is the last original member left in Lynyrd Skynyrd. Try Skynyrds First And Last, that contains their legendary Muscle Shoals sessions from 1971-1972 with selections from the Box Set and priceless attempts at Free Bird Preachers Daughter and the rocking spiritual Lend a Helpin Hand. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. © Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Steve Leggett /TiVo, 65 album(s) Leslie Hawkins - Documentary & Lynyrd Skynyrd The band only had two lead singers till now, one of them died in a plane crash. Cassie Gaines, JoJo Billingsley, and Leslie Hawkins are the female backup singers of the band. The new sextet released Nuthin' Fancy in 1975, and it became the band's first Top Ten hit. A 31-year-old woman in Collins car died before arriving at the hospital after Wednesdays accident in South Jacksonville, said Mike Kee, a police spokesman. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. motorhead, review All I Can Do Is Write About It and Cry For The Bad Man are amongst the more sophisticated songs in the Van Zant and Allen Collins trove and their second J.J. Cale cover, I Got the Same Old Blues, fingers them as men of consummate taste. The Facts in The Early Life of Stevie Ray Vaughan | Society of Rock After the plane crash, are any original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd still alive? By 1987 it seemed solidified: The late Van Zant was replaced by brother Johnny; while crash survivors Rossington, Pyle, Billy Powell, and Leon Wilkeson resumed their former duties. AppleTV & Privacy In 2018, after decades of performing and recording, the band embarked on a farewell tour, which was chronicled on the 2020 concert LP and film Last of the Street Survivors Tour Lyve! Copy. The modestly titled Nuthin Fancy (1975) maintains a hard-working lifestyle and by now the Lyn Skyn gang are a major live attraction with new drummer Artimus Pyle becoming a star in his own right. dokken, MOTRHEAD Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic. You can keep on reading further to learn more about the, Ronnie was an American singer and was best known as the original vocalist of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. While in high school in Jacksonville, Florida, Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed My Backyard. Skynyrd reformed a decade later, carrying on a Southern rock tradition that has lasted to this day. Thomasson left the band to re-form his band Outlaws in 2005, dying two years later in 2007. The original backup singers were called "The Honkettes" Cassie Two other bandmates, a road manager and two pilots were killed as well. Notable: Powell began his career with Skynyrd as a roadie during the early 1970s, moving into the keyboard spot after a year or two. Listen to it below, and watch the performance live: Check out BraveWords.com scribe Martin Popoff's review of Live From Freedom Hall at this location. The reunited Skynyrd frequently switched drummers, but it had little effect on their sound. Classic rock fans abound in Alabama, and many of those listeners have a special devotion to Lynyrd Skynyrd. After the plane crash, which claimed the lives of Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines (Gainess sister and backup singer Cassie, the bands road manager, and the planes pilot and co-pilot also died), the remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded to recover from their extensive injuries. Van Zant died in 1977, during a plane crash in Mississippi. A previous update from Roadrunner Records states: In celebration of the band's Live From Freedom Hall CD/DVD, we've got a sneak peak of one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most classic staples in their live show repertoire - 'Gimme Three Steps'. All the passengers in the plane were told to brace for a crash. Cassie Gaines, JoJo Billingsley, and Leslie Hawkins are the female backup singers of the band. A new studio album, Last of a Dyin' Breed, produced by Bob Marlette, recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and featuring a new bass player, Johnny Colt (formerly a bassist for the Black Crowes), appeared in 2012. During the mid-'90s, Van Zant, Rossington, Wilkeson, and Powell regrouped by adding two Southern rock veterans to Skynyrd's guitar stable: former Blackfoot frontman Rickey Medlocke and ex-Outlaws Hughie Thomasson. Though the lineup would continue to change over the next few years - King and Burns would be replaced by Steve Gaines and Artimus Pyle, respectively - what remained a constant for Skynyrd was the quality of Van Zandt's lyrics on hits like "Sweet Home Alabama," "Southern Man" and "That Smell," which skillfully maintained a balance between hard-partying declarations and rueful self-reflection. In the process, he helped to create the band's triple-threat guitar sound. During their tour to support the album, the bands guitarist Ed King abruptly departed from the group, and they started to look for a replacement. Like any other band, Lynyrd Skynyrd also underwent several lineup changes throughout their career. The plane never reached its destination, crashing in a wooded area outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi and killing Van Zandt, Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines and several crewmembers and leaving their bandmates in serious condition. Who Is Touring With Lynyrd Skynyrd This Year? LYNYRD SKYNYRD Backing Singer Passes - BraveWords Their hard rocking and hard living escapades have made this group what they are no point glossing the truth but midst the excesses lies a body of classic work that keeps Lyn Skyn vital and vibrant and we are proud to feature their thrilling music and urge you to discover it again. Who Is The Lead Singer Of Framing Hanley? When Skynyrd reformed after a decade-long hiatus, Johnny would play a key role. Later in 1980, Rossington and Collins formed a new band -- naturally named the Rossington Collins Band -- that featured four surviving members. Being a fan of boxer Muhammad Ali, he considered a career in the ring. She was the lead singer of the Rossington Collins Band, 1979-1982. Recalls Gary Rossington, She asked if he could jam and I said, Fuck, no! In many ways an unreconstructed product of their environment they still dont lack for subtlety on tracks like Dont Ask Me No Questions and turn in a terrific version of J.J. Cales Call Me The Breeze. news rock hard lynyrd skynyrd. Allen Collins, 33, a guitarist in the Skynyrd band, was listed in serious condition Thursday at University Hospital. One More From The Road is the only official live disc from the classic line-up era. To read different topics visit https://findingceo.com/. All Rights reserved. She was best known for her work with The Honkettes, backing vocalists for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The songs like Free Bird and Simple Man launched the band to superstardom and helped them grow their fanbase even more. They also spent five years touring small venues under various names before changing to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd is the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. Skynyrd never relied on the jazzy improvisations of the Allman Brothers. Skynyrd re-formed in 1987 with Ronnie's younger sibling Johnny Van Zant on vocals, and guitarist and co-founder Gary Rossington, who would serve as the group's sole constant member over the years. Gary Rossington was the last surviving original member of the band. He shows no signs of retiring, but the band canceled or rescheduled several shows in July 2016 while Rossington recovered from heart surgery. The 25 Greatest Lynyrd Skynyrd Songs of was the former lead singer of the same band. The remaining band members continued to make music through the 80s under various configurations, most notably the Rossington-Collins band which was cooked up by Rossington and guitarist Allen Collins, who took special pains to distance the new outfit from a reborn Skynyrd tag by recruiting a female lead singer, Dale Krantz. Billingsley did not perform with a re-formed Lynyrd Skynyrd after the 1977 plane crash at Charlie Daniels' 1979 Volunteer Jam, because she was not invited. hard rock Street Survivors is a poignant affair from 1977 recorded in Miami with Tom Dowd adding various shades and textures to a sound that was now attaining perfection. Role in band: Drummer (third from left in photo). He is the younger brother of the former Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Jan Zant. However, while playing American Legion baseball, he dreamed of Minor League success. When Lynyrd Skynyrd rose to prominence in the mid-70s, they immediately stood out with their Southern rock sound successfully blended with blues and country. Lynyrd Skynyrd And, she sang "Sweet Home Alabama" at Lynyrd Skynyrd's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. World-renowned for their hard-driven Southern rock attack and their magnificent melodies Lynyrd Skynyrd have sold millions of albums and sent audiences into raptures ever since they emerged from Jacksonville, Florida in 1966. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and his sister Cassie, one of the group's backing vocalists, died in the crash; the remaining members were injured. Later, the guitarist also performed in the groups fifth studio album, 1977s Street Survivors.. Yet more despair was in store, however. This item has been successfully added / removed from your favorites. That same year saw the group announce their farewell tour. Following the release of their second studio album, Second Helping, in 1974, the band members were the stars of the rock scene. Along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, she joined Skynyrd in December 1975; the trio became known as THE HONKETTES. He rejoined the band in 1996 as a fiery and flamboyant guitarist. Lynyrd Skynyrd The follow-up album, Second Helping, was also highly successful, but some internal problems started to arise while the group was enjoying the peak of its fame. Ian Dickson/REX Shutterstock. Lynyrd Skynyrd tour dates are as follows: review Notable: Van Zant, a founding member of the band, was known for his bluesy vocals and songwriting abilities. Thomasson left the band to re-form his band Outlaws in 2005, dying two years later in 2007. It did on Oct. 20, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and others. During the '90s, Lynyrd Skynyrd were made honorary colonels in the Alabama State Militia, due to their classic rock staple "Sweet Home Alabama." Even Lynyrd Skynyrd wanted to stop flying the Confederate Notable: Gaines' star burned brightly with Skynyrd, but was extinguished quicky. Original keyboardist Powell died at the age of 56 at his home near Jacksonville, Florida in 2009. heavy metal Today Gary Rossington is the last surviving member of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup. Hi! Who are the current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd? Current members are guitarist Gary Rossington, keyboardist Billy Powell, vocalist Johnny VanZant (Ronnie's younger brother) guitarist Rickey Medlocke (who played drums with Skynyrd for a short time in 1971) from Blackfoot, bassist Ean Evans and drummer Michael Cartellone. Notable: Krantz Rossington is the wife of Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington. WebCassie Gaines. Johnny Van Zant and Donnie Van Zant. All rights reserved (About Us). June 28, 2010, 12 years ago. John is mostly known as Johnny Van Zant. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. He sustained injuries to both arms, legs, wrists, ankles, and pelvis in the ill-fated plane crash. At this point, talk of a Skynyrd-proper reconfiguration had been in the works for some time. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any suggestions. "Free Bird" earned Lynyrd Skynyrd their first national exposure and it became one of the staples of album rock radio, still receiving airplay decades after its release. The reunited Skynyrd frequently switched drummers, but it had little effect on their sound. (The cause of the crash was either fuel shortage or a fault with the plane's mechanics.) Burns died in 2015 in a car crash in Georgia. In the New Skynyrd Dale Krantz/Rossington and Carole Chase. Lynyrd Skynyrd is the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. Backup singers come to the fore 14 photos She started her "thing" back in 1966, when Ray Charles hired Clayton as one of his Raelettes. Gaines & JoJo Billingsly, and Leslie Hawkins. After being recommended by Cassie Gaines, a member of Lynyrd Skynyrds female backup singers, the Honkettes, Steve Gaines joined the band as the new guitarist. The bands record label scrambled to replace the new albums cover, which eerily forecasted the accident by portraying the members engulfed in flames. Lynyrd Skynyrds guitarist Gary Rossington was the last surviving original member of the band. The new band did not include drummer Artimus Pyle who in another stroke of Skynyrd misfortune had badly shattered his leg in a motorcycle accident. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. Cassie Gaines - Wikipedia Later in 1980, Rossington and Collins formed a new band -- naturally named the Rossington Collins Band -- that featured four surviving members. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. The result has been a long string of replacements, leaving Rossington as the sole representative of the classic lineup (Pyle is still alive, but is not part of the current roster). backup singers for Lynyrd Skynyrd The band had to go through many personnel changes around this period, which was something they were no strangers to, though. Gaines died in the 1977 plane crash, along with his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and four other people. They may have jammed endlessly on-stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country. He survived the incident and admitted he was under the influence at the time, prompting bandmates Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins to write That Smell an ominous tune warning Say youll be all right come tomorrow, but tomorrow may not be here for you. (Ironically, the 60-year-old Rossington is the sole member of the original lineup still performing in the band.). '', (Greg Richter of The Birmingham News contributed to this report.). Viewed posthumously theres an air of foreboding within the camp. After the plane crash, are any, original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd still alive. He continues to record and perform with them even today. They also have three female backup singers. The concert film and LP Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour followed a year later, 2006 saw the release of Face to Face, and 2007 brought Paper Sleeve Box. White toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd for three and one-half years before departing the Florida-based group in August 1977. rock hard Send us a tip using our anonymous form. He was the focal point of Skynyrd, on stage and off. The band embarked on a reunion tour, which was captured on the 1988 double-live album Southern by the Grace of God: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour 1987. Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd was in a bit of a rut by the time of their fourth album, 1976s Gimme Back My Bullets. Unfortunately, Steve Gaines was also there in the bands tragic plane crash, separating him from this world. The Birmingham News file photo/Frank Couch. Which key players are gone but not forgotten? We cater for all pockets when it comes to compilations of this grand band. During the height of Skynyrd's popularity in the mid-'70s, they adopted a more muscular and gritty blues-rock sound that yielded the classic rock standards "Sweet Home Alabama," "Simple Man," "What's Your Name," "That Smell," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Free Bird." Do you know who sings for Lynyrd Skynyrd now? Of course, their story is far from over and the posthumous releases, as well as those by the newer line-ups, continue to captivate. Van Zants passionate lyrics and equally adroit vocals became a marker on a recording that has since sold well over two million copies and consequently gone double Platinum. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Best Music Documentaries: 59 Essential Watches For Music Fans, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top Announce Co-Headlining Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, Southern Rock: An Introduction To The Genre And Its Key Bands, A Southern Rock Tragedy: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Disaster Of 1977, What Happened When The Rolling Stones Played Knebworth, Marcus King Shares Confessional New Single, Blues Worse Than I Ever Had, Come As You Are: The Story Behind The Nirvana Song, Glen Campbell, Shaggy, And Lil Wayne: Currently Trending Songs, Weighty In The Eighties: When Prog Rock Went Pop. classic rock Roles in the band: Backup singers. Lynyrd Skynyrds lead singers age of death, lead singer of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd now, . All Rights Reserved. In 1977, a plane carrying the band members ran out of fuel outside Gillsburg, Mississippi. Notable: Van Zant, 57, upholds the legacy of his late brother, Ronnie Van Zant, the original frontman of Skynyrd. Chase records as a solo artist when she's not on the road with Skynyrd. The expanded CD with bonus material is particularly commended since the demos are pretty much as good as the finished artefact. But this would be the last album made with Van Zant and Collins. She had never heard of the band at the time, so Billingsley lent her a copy of the band's first two albums: (Pronounced 'Lh-'nrd 'Skin-'nrd) and Second Helping. In 1987, Rossington, Powell, King, and Wilkeson reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd, adding vocalist Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Randall Hall. "Free Bird" and an opening slot on the Who's 1973 Quadrophenia tour gave Lynyrd Skynyrd a devoted following, which helped their second album, 1974's Second Helping, become its breakthrough hit. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. How Many Of The Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Are Still Alive? The group underwent a number of name changes, including The Noble Five and One Percent, until settling on Leonard Skinner, a name borrowed from their high school physical education teacher, who was notorious for hassling students with long hair. Lynyrd Skynyrd Some of his bandmates were alive and were seriously injured. Copyright 2023 Penske Business Media, LLC. Collins suffered a car crash in 1986 that killed his girlfriend and left him paralyzed; four years later, he died of respiratory failure. Billingsley also made many television and radio appearances, appeared in several movies and DVDs, and traveled extensively. The seasonal effort Christmas Time Again was released in fall 2000. Wilkeson, Skynyrd's bassist since 1972, died in 2001 and was replaced by Ean Evans that same year (Evans, in turn, died in 2009). The original backup singers were called "The Honkettes" Cassie Gaines & JoJo Billingsly, and Leslie Hawkins. Notable: Keys, 51, succeeded Billy Powell, a beloved band member who'd been with Skynyrd since the early 1970s. He departed again, nearly a decade later, when heart problems intervened. Before Billingsley was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Doc and Hazel Billingsley. iggy pop, review The bands drummer Bob Burns left the group in January 1975 during a European tour after suffering a mental breakdown. To read different topics visit This song began as a ballad without the guitar solos at the end, and Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded it that way for the first time in 1972. Collins wrote the music long before Ronnie Van Zant came up with lyrics for it. The lyrics are about a man explaining to a girl why he can't settle down and make a commitment. More items In 1977, a plane carrying the band members ran out of fuel outside Gillsburg, Mississippi. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. On a suitable roll, they released Gimme Back My Bullets in 1976 with producer Tom Dowd, an icon to the band, and effectively created a quasi-conceptual suite of Southern songs that hit home hard and still sound magic. She was best known for her work with The Honkettes, backing vocalists for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The crash marked a tragic turning point in Skynyrd's history. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. steve vai, review Their fans love them warts and all, and so do we. Check this out on the expanded version again because youll get a late period live set from Fresno, California (August 1977) plus original and/or alternate takes on Whats Your Name and Sweet Little Missy. Deborah Jo Billingsley White, ex-backup singer for Lynyrd The majority of the rest were severely injured and horribly traumatised. Lynyrd Skynyrd reviews, music, news - sputnikmusic Donnie is the founder and vocalist of the rock band .38 Special. CookiePolicy The re-formed Skynyrd began recording in 1991, and for the remainder of the decade, the band toured frequently, putting out albums occasionally. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Joie Shettler and Julie Setzer (Brian's wife). The group ceased operations after the tragic deaths of Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines, who were killed in an airplane crash on October 20, 1977. and Annie Clements. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. In December 1975 she was hired, along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, as backing singers for the Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose leader, Ronnie Van Zant, dubbed them "The Honkettes". For the first few years, the group had little success, but producer Al Kooper signed the band to MCA after seeing them play at an Atlanta club called Funocchio's in 1972. He died in 1990. One fact is indisputable, however: A plane crash on Oct. 20, 1977, decimated the band. This lineup eventually was doomed for misfortune as well. These members were Cassie Gaines JoJo Billingsley, and Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1976. In April 2015, original Skynyrd drummer Bob Burns died in a single-car accident in Bartow County, Georgia.