I hope y'all will join in on this discussion with me as we reflect and remember this day for the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, family, and frynds everywhere. Feel free to share your thoughts and memories of that tragic day.

For me at least, it seems like a different lifetime ago. Much has happened in the many years since those simpler days. It's been 35 years ago today since the tragic plane crash took the lives of Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, and Dean. Reflect on what the experience must have been like for the survivors of the plane crash and all of the family and frynds that went through the grief. I still remember as a teenager watching the news on TV and can still picture in my mind as the media showed the recovery crews at the crash site ... and being in shock. It is with heavy hearts after all these years that we remember those who gave us something special to take with us as we walk through the daily walk of our own lives.

For those of us that are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we understand that this life is only a temporary stop on a long journey. I think that Ronnie, and the other band members, understood that too as is reflected in their lyrics and music to this day. I've heard that Ronnie mentioned that 30 years was his limit and would go out with his boots on. He was 29 when he lost his own life and interestingly enough, respectively, Cassie was 29 and Steve was 28.

I'd like to share and reflect on some lyrics from two selected songs which I think is appropriate for this day.

From Johnny's Brickyard Road
Brother, do you realize what you've done?
Touched the hearts of everyone
You might've died too young
But your songs live on
I know I can't bring back yesterday
But we'll be all together again some day

from Simple Man
Oh, take your time...Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman, yea yea, you'll find love
And don't forget son,
There is Someone up above

Until we meet them again, let us remember the spirit, strength and perseverance that Skynyrd represents to us in the past and present. A special thanks and prayers go out to Gary, Rickey, Johnny the other band members and road crew for carrying on that same spirit, strength, and perseverance through their touring and album releases!

I will REMEMBER and KNOW the EXACT place I was when I saw the news that evening. The next morning, when I got confirmation on who had died, I remember saying "there goes Lynyrd Skynyrd." I was a softmore in high school and I also remember writing on the chalkboard in my first period class "say a prayer for Ronnie Van Zandt" Little things, but THYINGS I do remember & cherish, amen!

I am listening to "one more from the road" as I write my first post here.
Having been out of high school since '73, Skynrd has been with me for the ride!
my son and I seen them here in Texas about 5 yrs ago,
They play in a better place.

I was lucky enough to see the original band 2 times and have seen the "new" lineup many times. I will always remember the last time I saw the original band. It was in Freedom Hall in Johnson City, TN. It was a sellout and I remember getting up from my seats and walking around the walkway so I could get out after the encore. I got close enough to be able to see their faces. When Allen got it going on the fast part of Freebird man there was smoke coming off his fingers, it was a great show! There isn't a day goes by I don't listen to me some Skynyrd. On the way to work or back home or maybe at lunch, I love "Tuesdays Gone and Call me the Breeze. I loved to listen to Billy Powell play, I'll still go and see the band when they are close to where I live, but it ain't the same without Billy. God bless all the ones that are gone and God bless the current members. I really hope when the band hangs it up, somebody will book them into the "Fox" in Atlanta for three nights and record it all for a cd and dvd. It could be called "One Last Time From The Road". If that could happen I know where I would go, that would be to see the greatest rock and roll band of all time, one last time! Play it pretty for Atlanta tonight!

This time of year always brings sorrow and memories of that fatefull day, an event that was forever etched in my life, as for many others like me. Being born in the south, not that far from Atlanta in Northwest Ga, Southern music was and has been my main staple of music. Though I like all music there was something special about the Allman Brothers and the up and coming Marshall Tucker Band in the early 70's. While cruzin through the monthly booklet of Record Club of America I saw an unfamilar name, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Reading the "pitch" on the band, something like "up and coming hard driving southern boogie rock n roll...." told me to get it. This was late 1972 I'm thinkin'. Though they had been playing in Atlanta bars I wasn't quiet old enough to be part of that scene, being only 17 teen,
so I had no idea as to who they were. When I got that 8 track in from the record club I natually shoved it in the player. Righ off the bat I knew I had something. Simple Man grabbed me pretty fast. I took that 8 track to town and literally turned my whole town onto Lynyrd Skynyrd. As the old saying goes...."the rest is history". Thus my loyality to Skynyrd as the "one" band that stands out the most in my life. Heck, one of my old friends called to remind me of the date yesterday and my nephew who plays guitar in the Atlanta scene texted me about the day last night. I'll always remember waking up and cutting on the TV at West Ga College in 77 and seeing the news that morning. I can't remember anything more devastating. I could go on and on about concerts and such but I will say that watching them come on stage at the old Atlanta Stadium and blowing it out in 74, toppling out the Allman Brothers and Marshall Tucker was and event I'll always remember. Ole' Ronnie, that guy was serious when he took the stage...every time. Thinkin' about you guys, past and present. Goat

=Granola Girl said:I will REMEMBER and KNOW the EXACT place I was when I saw the news that evening. The next morning, when I got confirmation on who had died, I remember saying "there goes Lynyrd Skynyrd." I was a softmore in high school and I also remember writing on the chalkboard in my first period class "say a prayer for Ronnie Van Zandt" Little things, but THYINGS I do remember & cherish, amen!

I was at a Drive in Movie with my ex Husband.We were listening to the Radio during intermission.The News came on.We had just started dating at that Time.We had gone to see Southern Fried Movie.As soon as I heard,I had him take me Home.Never DID see that Movie.
This Poem makes me think of those who left us that dark October Night.Don't know who wrote it-but I like it-

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft star-shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
-unknown-
One of the all Time Saddest Days of my life,for sure.

I first saw Skynyrd the Outlaws were the opening band and I was hooked from thereafter. When Skynyrd arrived onstage, the music playing in the background was cowboy Western show music. Van Zant was riding piggy back on someone and was his usual barefoot self. The only disappointment was the shock of not seeing Ed King as he had just left the band.

I missed Skynyrd in 1991 but when I heard that Powell was on hand again they revived the band and put out a new album, "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and launched the tour in Baton Rouge, La., where the band was headed in 1977 when the plane crashed. A tear came to me when I also heard that any fans who kept their tickets from the canceled 1977 concert were admitted free. What a show that must have been.
TJ

@Teddy Jo: I think the song was the theme song for the magnificent seven,even the Ed had left making it 6.I saw them a lot and at the cap.centre in MD.Steve was there and that's what they played that day 10-20-1976.I year to the day of the crash.

Wishbone, you are correct after your message I downloaded and watch the magnificent seven and that was the tune, thanks for making my memory more Chrystal!
TJ