Fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd know the tragic events that hit the band in 1977. Following a performance in Greenville, South Carolina, the band embarked on a plane heading to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
What should have been a run of the mill flight lasting no more than a few hours ended horrifically. The pilots informed passengers that they would make an emergency landing due to a faulty engine.
Unfortunately, the pilots couldn’t get the plane to a safe area. They crashed into a densely forested area, and band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick were all killed. The rest of the band sustained serious injuries.
The band went on a hiatus following the crash. They needed time to heal physically and emotionally. Ten years later they reunited, with Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny, as the new lead singer. They embarked on a full scale tour with their new members.
Now, every time the band plays “Simple Man”, they dedicate the tune to the late Ronnie Van Zant. It’s an emotional piece each time they play it, but the performance captured in the video below is especially powerful.
Watch this heart wrenching tribute from one brother to another in the video below! What did you think? Leave us a comment, we’d love to hear from you!
SHARE this amazing video with your friends and family on Facebook. This story is just too amazing to keep to yourself. Share it!
