![]() If you want to see the monument, it's free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "A lot of the local people are here, and we really appreciate everything that you've ever done for our family and for Lynyrd Skynyrd." "Our family would like to thank you, all of you, for everything you've done to make this project and make this day happen," she said. Van Zant told the crowd how thankful she is to the community and first responders who treated everyone injured in the crash. In one corner on the front of the monument is a quote from keyboardist Billy Powell that he gave in an interview shortly after the crash 42 years ago.Īfter the unveiling, fans - some of whom traveled from as far away as Alaska - got to walk up to the monument and take pictures with Judy Van Zant. The monument is about 400 yards from the crash site and details the plane's ill-fated flight, as well as the heroic efforts of neighbors who came to the survivors' rescue.Īmong other things, the monument tells the story of the band's humble beginnings in Jacksonville and its ascension to worldwide fame. Six steps lead up to the monument, one for every person who died in the crash. The monument stands 8 feet tall and 14 feet wide. "Gillsburg has a connection to Lynyrd Skynyrd that this community didn't ask for but has embraced with open arms," said lead organizer Bobby McDaniel, a lifelong local resident and one of the neighbors who stepped up to help when the plane crashed. The idea quickly got backing from the remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. RELATED: Ronnie Van Zant's family remembers classic band | Lynyrd Skynyrd survivor plays on 'to show everybody our dream came true' | 42 years ago: Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashesįans pooled donations for the monument, which is the brainchild of neighbors who became rescuers Oct. 20, 1977, when the band's plane went down while traveling to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Guitarist Steve Gaines' daughter, Corrina, and grandchildren also made the trip to take part in the ceremony. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's widow, Judy, her daughter, Melody, and grandchildren traveled from Jacksonville for the occasion. ![]() – On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in rural Mississippi, hundreds turned out to witness rock 'n' roll history.Ī seven-ton black granite monument was unveiled, dedicated to the memory of those who died and those who lived through the crash 42 years ago of Jacksonville's own Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Wilkeson left and was replaced with Ed King, who would later be replaced, too, with Steve Gaines.GILLSBURG, Miss. The band would have several more changes with members departing and some new additions for a few years, including the departure of Burns and addition of drummer Artimus Pyle (via Oldies). But a decade into the band, Leon Wilkeson joined the group to replace Junstrom, and a new member and keyboardist named Billy Powell was also part of the new lineup. They made a play on his name by removing the vowels and came up with: Lynyrd Skynyrd. Its name was inspired by the band's high school gym teacher, named Coach Leonard Skinner (via CNN). Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the southern rock music band was originally composed of guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom, drummer Bob Burns, and vocalist Ronnie Van Zant. ![]() The southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is most famous for their catchy (and sometimes controversial, per Country Living) hit song "Sweet Home Alabama." The 1974 song was their claim to fame and helped skyrocket the band to notoriety.
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