The Band first started in Jacksonville, FL in the early 1960’s. Back then they were called My Backyard. They changed names several times over the course of their early career. In 1968, they won a local Battle of the Bands contest, and eventually changed there name to Lynard Skynard. |
Throughout the 1970’s, the newly named Lynyrd Skynyrd became increasingly famous with the releases of hit songs like “Sweet Home Alabama”, and “Free Bird”. Lynyrd Skynyrd's sixth album, Street Survivors, was released in October of 1977. It would be the final album released by the "classic" line-up.
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On October 20 th 1977, a Convair 240 carrying all the band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd crashed over McComb, Mississippi. The crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gains, and Cassie Gaines. Drummer Artimus Pyle managed to crawl out seriously injured. The crash occurred three days after the release of the Street Surviviors album.
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