Died On This Date (January 23, 1990) Allen Collins / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Larkin Allen Collins
July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990

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Allen Collins was a founding guitarist of and sometime co-writer for southern rock giants, Lynyrd Skynyrd.  The band’s ride to fame was partially due to songs co-written by Collins.  That list includes “That Smell,” “Free Bird,” and “Gimme Three Steps.”  When Ronnie Van Zant and others from the band  were killed in a plane crash in 1977, Collins went on to have success with the Rossington-Collins Band. Their biggest hit was 1980’s “Don’t Misunderstand Me.”  Tragedy struck Collins again in 1986 when he caused a car accident that killed his girlfriend and left him paralyzed from the waist down.  Since he was under the influence, he was charged with vehicular manslaughter.  He accepted a plea which kept him out of jail, but had him, among other penalties, speak out against drunk driving at all future Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts.  Collins died of pneumonia, brought on by the paralysis on January 23, 1990.  He was 37 years old.

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Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Died On This Date (October 27, 2002) Tom Dowd / Legendary Producer

Tom Dowd
October 20, 1925 – October 27, 2002

tomdowdTom Dowd was an innovative record producer and engineer who helped develop the Atlantic Records sound thanks to hundreds of popular albums he collaborated on.  A master of physics, Dowd worked on the Manhattan Project while in the Army prior to his days at Atlantic.  The Manhattan Project was the code name for the development of the first atom bomb.  After his time in the service, Dowd got a job in the studio at Atlantic Records where he produced or engineered albums by the likes of Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Derek & the Dominos, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and many many more.  Dowd was far from a silent producer behind the board.  He has been credited numerous times for helping develop and shape the sound of the artist into what ultimately made them famous.  He was also instrumental in the growth of stereo and eight-track recording in the industry.  Dowd continued to work right up until the time of his death, October 27, 2002.  He died of emphysema a week after his 77th birthday.

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Died On This Date (October 20, 1977) Ronnie Van Zant / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Ronnie Van Zant
January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977

Ronnie Van Zant was the singer and main songwriter for southern rock powerhouse, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band he formed in 1964 with fellow high school classmates.  The band slugged it out on the road in and around the southeast region of the U.S. until they got their break by getting signed to MCA Records in 1972.  The following year, they released their debut album, pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd, which included such future hits and Southern rock staples as “Gimme Three Steps,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and of course, “Free Bird.”  The hits continued to roll in and the band soon found them self touring with such bands as the Who and the Rolling Stones.  By late 1977, the band was as popular as any in America, had just completed their Street Survivors album, and were in the middle of what was to be their biggest tour yet.  But then one of popular music’s worst tragedies struck.  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.

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Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Died On This Date (October 20, 1977) Dean Kilpatrick / Lynyrd Skynyrd Road Manager

Dean Kilpatrick
May 30, 1949 – October 20, 1977

Just three days after the release of Street Survivors, several members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, his sister, Cassie Gaines and road manager, Dean Kilpatrick boarded a small plane in Greenville, SC to Baton Rouge, LA.  For unknown reasons, the plane ran out of fuel just outside of Gillsburg, MS and crashed in the woods.  Van Zant, Cassie and Steve Gaines, and Kilpatrick were killed instantly.  Although other band members survived and the group’s popularity had grown significantly in recent months, Lynyrd Skynyrd was over until their much welcomed reformation in 1987.



Died On This Date (October 20, 1977) Steve Gaines / Lynyrd Skynyrd

Steve Gaines
September 14, 1949 – October 20, 1977

Photo by Jimicrab Steve
Photo by Jimicrab Steve

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.

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