Steve Gaines
September 14, 1949 – October 20, 1977
Steve Gaines was an up-and-coming rock guitarist and songwriter when he was invited to join Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1976, thanks in part to a recommendation by his sister, Cassie Gaines who had recently joined the band as a backup singer. Altough he played on just one album, Street Survivors, his contribution to the band’s legacy can not be denied. On October 20, 1977, while flying between shows in Greenville, South Carolina and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, their small chartered plane experienced engine trouble causing it to crash outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Dead on impact were band members, Ronnie Van Zant (29), Cassie Gaines (29), Steve Gaines (28), road manager, Dean Kilpatrick, the pilot and co-pilot.
What You Should Own
