who are the female backup singers for lynyrd skynyrd who are the female backup singers for lynyrd skynyrd

He sustained injuries to both arms, legs, wrists, ankles, and pelvis in the ill-fated plane crash. Classic Rock reports: JoJo Billingsley , who was a backing singer for LYNYRD SKYNYRD from 1975 for two years, has died from cancer at the age of 58. Allen Collins, 33, a guitarist in the Skynyrd band, was listed in serious condition Thursday at University Hospital. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. Posts on the signature song "Sweet Home Alabama", Lynyrd Skynyrd biographer Mark Ribowsky talks about the band, Which Lynyrd Skynyrd song are you? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Best Music Documentaries: 59 Essential Watches For Music Fans, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top Announce Co-Headlining Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, Southern Rock: An Introduction To The Genre And Its Key Bands, A Southern Rock Tragedy: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Disaster Of 1977, What Happened When The Rolling Stones Played Knebworth, Marcus King Shares Confessional New Single, Blues Worse Than I Ever Had, Come As You Are: The Story Behind The Nirvana Song, Glen Campbell, Shaggy, And Lil Wayne: Currently Trending Songs, Weighty In The Eighties: When Prog Rock Went Pop. "Free Bird" earned Lynyrd Skynyrd their first national exposure and it became one of the staples of album rock radio, still receiving airplay decades after its release. Copyright 2023 Skynyrd reformed a decade later, carrying on a Southern rock tradition that has lasted to this day. With drummer Bob Burns, Lynyrd Skynyrd began playing throughout the South. Years in band: 1972, 1973-1977, 1987-2001. Notable: Wilkeson, known as Skynyrd's "Mad Hatter," was present for the band's glory years and injured in the fateful 1977 plane crash. Al Kooper signed Skynyrd to his label, Sounds of the South, which was distributed by MCA, and produced their self-titled debut LP, which borne the subtitle Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd (1973); the addition of former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King formed the backbone of the band's signature three-guitar sound, as displayed on the album's Top 20 lead single, "Free Bird," and helped to deliver the band its first gold record. Two years later, Pyle formed the Artimus Pyle Band. In 2018, after decades of performing and recording, the band embarked on a farewell tour, which was chronicled on the 2020 concert LP and film Last of the Street Survivors Tour Lyve! Jo Jo. VisitSingerbioand read everything about the singer. Viewed posthumously theres an air of foreboding within the camp. It was 45 years ago when a plane crash claimed the lives of Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Vant and guitarist Steve Gaines, among others. Who Is The Lead Singer Of Lynyrd Skynyrd? We cater for all pockets when it comes to compilations of this grand band. As might be expected, the album that was released just three days before the tragedy, Street Survivors, became one of their greatest hits in the wake of the spotlight on the events. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and his sister Cassie, one of the group's backing vocalists, died in the crash; the remaining members were injured. The new sextet released Nuthin' Fancy in 1975, and it became the band's first Top Ten hit. Koopers immaculate production and the boys innate abilities make this disc shine but there is more to them than simply Southern rock boogie. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Read recent and archived obituaries and memorial notices from The Cullman Times", Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour, Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, 20th Century Masters: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=JoJo_Billingsley&oldid=1092332793, People from Lafayette County, Mississippi, Articles needing additional references from August 2008, All articles needing additional references, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 9 June 2022, at 17:06. Do you know who sings for Lynyrd Skynyrd now? Who Is The Lead Singer Of Framing Hanley? By that point, Rossington was the only original member of Skynyrd still playing in the band: Collins, Wilkenson, Powell and Burns would all succumb to various causes, and were replaced by a rotating all-star Southern/classic rock roster that included Ricky Medlocke of Blackfoot, Michael Cartellone (Damn Yankees), Hughie Thomasson (Outlaws), Mart Matejka (Hot Apple Pie) and Robert Kearns (Bottle Rockets). This video is now played at every Jaguars home game on the EverBank Field video board. During their tour to support the album, the bands guitarist Ed King abruptly departed from the group, and they started to look for a replacement. (The cause of the crash was either fuel shortage or a fault with the plane's mechanics.) Leslie Hawkins is an American singer most recognized as the backup vocalist with the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The 100 Best Albums of 2022. He was preceded in the band by several musicians, including Bob Burns and Artimus Pyle. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Deborah Jo Billingsley White, ex-backup singer for Lynyrd One More From The Road is the only official live disc from the classic line-up era. Later in 1980, Rossington and Collins formed a new band -- naturally named the Rossington Collins Band -- that featured four surviving members. Apple Inc. Throughout the band's early records, frontman Ronnie Van Zant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty that had more in common with country than rock & roll. She had never heard of the band at the time, so Billingsley lent her a copy of the band's first two albums: (Pronounced 'Lh-'nrd 'Skin-'nrd) and Second Helping. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). While in high school in Jacksonville, Florida, Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed My Backyard. Ronnie died on impact from head injuries suffered after the aircraft struck a tree. His elder brother Ronnie Van Zant was the former lead singer of the same band. In a 2007 interview with The Birmingham News for a story on the Lynyrd Skynyrd song "Sweet Home Alabama, White said she had never even visited Alabama when she was singing the song onstage, much less did she ever expect to live there. Lynyrd Skynyrd's longtime admirers might argue about the greatest songs, their favorite albums or key aspects of Skynyrd lore. After the plane crash, which claimed the lives of Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines (Gainess sister and backup singer Cassie, the bands road manager, and the planes pilot and co-pilot also died), the remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded to recover from their extensive injuries. Internet Service Terms However, the band retained their following through constant touring, which was documented on the double-live album One More from the Road. Members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they are one of the greatest rock acts of all time and thanks to legendary tracks like Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama they continue to enthral each passing generation while maintaining a fanatical following in the US, Europe and Asia. One fact is indisputable, however: A plane crash on Oct. 20, 1977, decimated the band. Billingsley lived with her husband, Tim, and her daughter, Destiny, in Cullman, Alabama where they attended Spirit Life Church. However, she was not on the ill fated flight which crashed on October 20th, 1977, killing several members of the band and road crew. Besides his exceptional guitar work, Steve Gaines also stood out with his strong songwriting skills. Who's in the band now, as it moves into 2017? motorhead, review The group underwent a number of name changes, including The Noble Five and One Percent, until settling on Leonard Skinner, a name borrowed from their high school physical education teacher, who was notorious for hassling students with long hair. heavy metal He was also the primary lyricist and a founding member of the same band. Her son, Justin, is in the US Navy. Not just a classic Southern Rock group a classic rock group, period. Consider the classic Sweet Home Alabama which they wrote in answer to Neil Youngs Southern Man and Alabama wherein he implies that rednecks are racists and marvel at the three-pronged guitar attack. Second Helping (1974) is miraculously every bit as emphatic. These members were Cassie Gaines JoJo Billingsley, and With drummer Bob Burns, Lynyrd Skynyrd began playing throughout the South. In the wake of the tragedy, the album became one of the band's biggest hits. He is the younger brother of the former Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Jan Zant. The distinctive Lynyrd Skynyrd spelling came into use in early 1970 by which time roadie Billy Powell was hired on keyboards. The band began in 1964, when teenaged friends Ronnie Van Zandt, Bob Burns, Allen Collins and Garry Rossington formed My Backyard, which drew on the British Invasion for its sound. They may have jammed endlessly on-stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country. Another magnificent artefact. That same year saw the group announce their farewell tour. Roles in band: Guitarist (King, second from right in photo) and drummer (Pyle, third from right). Suitably impressed Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label and won distribution via MCA Records. Genuinely something for everyone: in the case of the 3-CD Box Set that includes even the most ardent Skynyrd fanatic. Ronnie was killed in a 1977 plane crash that took six lives and devastated the band. Lynyrd Skynyrd is the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. Featuring the hit single "Sweet Home Alabama" -- a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man" -- Second Helping reached number 12 and went multi-platinum. It was found that Johnnys surgical site was infected with cellulitis which required hospitalization and IV/Antibiotic treatment. The record was followed by the Tom Dowd-produced Gimme Back My Bullets in 1976, which failed to match the success of its two predecessors. Along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, she joined Skynyrd in December 1975; the trio became known as THE HONKETTES. Along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, she joined Skynyrd in December 1975; the trio became known as THE The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time The toll was dire: Three band members perished; the others were all severely injured. On October 20th, 1977, a chartered plane carrying the band Lynyrd Skynyrd in the midst of a headlining tour and fresh off the release of their sixth album crashed in a Gillsburg, Mississippi swamp. Unfortunately, Steve Gaines was also there in the bands tragic plane crash, separating him from this world. The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour will see the American classic rock bands joined by singer and musician Uncle Kracker. The reunited Skynyrd frequently switched drummers, but it had little effect on their sound. hard rock Skynyrd re-formed in 1987 with Ronnie's younger sibling Johnny Van Zant on vocals, and guitarist and co-founder Gary Rossington, who would serve as the group's sole constant member over the years. Although Wilkeson died one year later, Lynyrd Skynyrd regrouped and recorded Vicious Cycle for a 2003 release. The bands drummer Bob Burns left the group in January 1975 during a European tour after suffering a mental breakdown. WebReleased in late 1976, the album featured the band's new guitarist, Steve Gaines, and a trio of female backup singers, and it became Skynyrd's second Top Ten album. Collins suffered a car crash in 1986 that killed his girlfriend and left him paralyzed; four years later, he died of respiratory failure. The band embarked on a reunion tour, which was captured on the 1988 double-live album Southern by the Grace of God: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour 1987. Original keyboardist Powell died at the age of 56 at his home near Jacksonville, Florida in 2009. The names of the backup musicians of Sugarland are Thad Beaty Skynyrd have endured until the present day and survived awful tragedies and terrible bad luck on the way but the Van Zant dynasty and their comrades Rossington and Collins remain an American institution. steve vai, review They also have three female backup singers. Years in the band: 1987-present (Krantz Rossington, at left in photo) and 1996-present (Chase). Her name was being withheld until relatives are notified. But death continued to haunt the band, and the lineup continued to change, as much from attrition as anything else. '', (Greg Richter of The Birmingham News contributed to this report.). Gaines was invited by JoJo Billingsley and Ronnie Van Zant to join Lynyrd Skynyrd as a backup singer. Notable: Medlocke, 66, played drums for Skynyrd during his first go-round. Wilkeson, Skynyrd's bassist since 1972, died in 2001 and was replaced by Ean Evans that same year (Evans, in turn, died in 2009). In the New Skynyrd Dale Krantz/Rossington and Carole Chase. On a suitable roll, they released Gimme Back My Bullets in 1976 with producer Tom Dowd, an icon to the band, and effectively created a quasi-conceptual suite of Southern songs that hit home hard and still sound magic. In 1975, he left the band as he was exhausted from touring and then Artimus Pyle replaced him. The lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd is John Roy Van Zant who is a famous American singer. Do you know how the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd died? Who are the current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd? Current members are guitarist Gary Rossington, keyboardist Billy Powell, vocalist Johnny VanZant (Ronnie's younger brother) guitarist Rickey Medlocke (who played drums with Skynyrd for a short time in 1971) from Blackfoot, bassist Ean Evans and drummer Michael Cartellone. ''I thought it was kind of funny. Bob Burns helped a lot to form the band in 1964. I'm Bihter. White toured with Lynyrd Skynyrd for three and one-half years before departing the Florida-based group in August 1977. and Annie Clements. World-renowned for their hard-driven Southern rock attack and their magnificent melodies Lynyrd Skynyrd have sold millions of albums and sent audiences into raptures ever since they emerged from Jacksonville, Florida in 1966. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their live CD/DVD, Live From Freedom Hall, on June 22nd. Notable: Gaines' star burned brightly with Skynyrd, but was extinguished quicky. Cassie Gaines, JoJo Billingsley, and Leslie Hawkins are the female backup singers of the band. He even recorded a video along with the remaining. John is mostly known as Johnny Van Zant. Later, the guitarist also performed in the groups fifth studio album, 1977s Street Survivors.. The Southern rock band that originally featured Ronnie Van Zant as lead singer are known for such classic songs as Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama. Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1976. He rejoined the band in 1996 as a fiery and flamboyant guitarist. Throughout the band's early records, frontman Ronnie Van Zant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty that had more in common with country than rock & roll. The original backup singers were called "The Honkettes" Cassie Required fields are marked *. This item has been successfully added / removed from your favorites. She was 58. After being recommended by Cassie Gaines, a member of Lynyrd Skynyrds female backup singers, the Honkettes, Steve Gaines joined the band as the new guitarist. Because of her Christian ministry, drummer Artimus Pyle began calling her ''Rev. CULLMAN -- Former Lynyrd Skynyrd backup singer Deborah Jo White, who performed under her maiden name "Jo Jo Billingsley," has died at her Cullman home after a bout with cancer. Recalls Gary Rossington, She asked if he could jam and I said, Fuck, no! We want to hear it. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their sixth album, Street Survivors, on October 17, 1977. In todays post, I will reveal who is the original lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The majority of the rest were severely injured and horribly traumatised. On October 20, 1977, members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, pictured in this December 8, 1975, advertisement in Billboard, were killed in the Mississippi crash of a plane chartered by the rock band. File Photo courtesy MCA Records GILLSBURG, Miss. Notable: Krantz Rossington is the wife of Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington. What are the names of the two backup singers for Lynyrd Skynyrd? Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. Lynyrd Skynyrd broke up after the crash, releasing a collection of early demos called Skynyrd's First andLast in 1978; it had been scheduled for release before the crash. When Skynyrd reformed after a decade-long hiatus, Johnny would play a key role. ''I love it here. Later in 1980, Rossington and Collins formed a new band -- naturally named the Rossington Collins Band -- that featured four surviving members. . Now, you must be wondering, who are the female backup singers for Lynyrd Skynyrd. While in high school in Jacksonville, Florida, Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed My Backyard. That same year saw the group announce their farewell tour. Copy. This is a landmark outing, again produced by Kooper but with a bigger budget that took the LS crew to The Record Plant in Los Angeles where their wild partying antics didnt go unnoticed. (Singer) Cassie Gaines was an American singer best known for her association with the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd as a backup singer. He is the younger brother of the former Lynyrd Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Jan Zant. A new studio album, Last of a Dyin' Breed, produced by Bob Marlette, recorded at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, and featuring a new bass player, Johnny Colt (formerly a bassist for the Black Crowes), appeared in 2012. Being a fan of boxer Muhammad Ali, he considered a career in the ring. "Free Bird" and an opening slot on the Who's 1973 Quadrophenia tour gave Lynyrd Skynyrd a devoted following, which helped their second album, 1974's Second Helping, become its breakthrough hit. Ronnie was born to Lacy Austin and Marion Virginia Van Zant. Gaines died in the 1977 plane crash, along with his sister, backup singer Cassie Gaines, and four other people. Their big break came when the producer and musician Al Kooper saw them in his guise as a member of Blood, Sweat & Tears. Two other bandmates, a road manager and two pilots were killed as well. All the passengers in the plane were told to brace for a crash. Ronnie died on impact from head injuries suffered after the aircraft struck a tree. Deborah Jo Billingsley (May 28, 1952[1] June 24, 2010) was an American singer, soloist, songwriter and recording artist. Chase records as a solo artist when she's not on the road with Skynyrd. Their first five classic albums are all available here, as are some stonking live sets and a generous number of anthologies, hits and compilations. Lynyrd Skynyrd are like the Dude, they will prevail. In the New They were often known as Honkettes! His spot in Skynyrd was taken by Mark "Sparky" Matejka, formerly of Hot Apple Pie, in 2006. Lynyrd Skynyrds lead singers age of death, lead singer of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd now, . AppleTV & Privacy It is undisputably the creepiest, but the flaming album cover wasnt the first prediction of deadly events for Skynyrd. I'm interested in rock music, literature, cinema, and doing research in Cultural Studies. Jonny is a die-hard fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars! In fact, Lynyrd Skynyrd has managed to earn the dubious distinction of unluckiest band in history over the years. In many ways an unreconstructed product of their environment they still dont lack for subtlety on tracks like Dont Ask Me No Questions and turn in a terrific version of J.J. Cales Call Me The Breeze. WebCassie Gaines. Her friend Jane Van Zant was also there. He even claimed that Gaines multiple talents would someday overshadow the band. Street Survivors is a poignant affair from 1977 recorded in Miami with Tom Dowd adding various shades and textures to a sound that was now attaining perfection. Who Is The Lead Singer Of Casting Crowns. Her final CD was titled I Will Obey. Live from Freedom Hall was released on the same label in 2010. Notable: Powell began his career with Skynyrd as a roadie during the early 1970s, moving into the keyboard spot after a year or two. was the former lead singer of the same band. alice cooper, review Wilkeson died in 2001 in a Florida hotel room. He filled a guitar spot vacated by Ed King, and made major contributions to the band's 1977 album "Street Survivors." The seasonal effort Christmas Time Again was released in fall 2000. 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This band was originally formed as My Backyard in 1964. dokken, MOTRHEAD Bad Magic: Seriously Bad Magic. That iteration returned to recording with Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991, and would tour and release new material well into the 21st century. But death continued to haunt the band, and the lineup continued to change, as much from attrition as anything else. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Three days later, a privately chartered plane carrying the band between shows in Greenville, South Carolina and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. The three black female backup singers - including New Orleans-born Merry Clayton - on Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama," as Hughes noted, gave it a powerfully integrated, Southern-soul sound. In late 1975, Gaines, Billingsley, and Leslie Hawkins formed The Honkettes, a female gospel vocal trio for Skynyrd. Burns died in 2015 in a car crash in Georgia. At the end of the year, Artimus Pyle replaced drummer Burns and King left the band shortly afterward. After his death, Johnny is the new lead singer of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd now. Lets face it; their triple-guitar attack and evocative Southern rock vocals are a part of the history of their locale. night demon, review (The cause of the crash was either fuel shortage or a fault with the plane's mechanics.) He was well-known for the famous song Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. John Roy Van Zant (Johnny Van Zant) is the current lead vocalist of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. During the mid-'90s, Van Zant, Rossington, Wilkeson, and Powell regrouped by adding two Southern rock veterans to Skynyrd's guitar stable: former Blackfoot frontman Rickey Medlocke and ex-Outlaws Hughie Thomasson. heavy metal He remained in that role throughout his life, witnessing the band's tragedies and triumphs, and was beloved by fans as a Skynyrd mainstay. Again the CD with bonus tracks cuts the mustard and even a famously exacting critic like Robert Christgau gave this Second Helping a five-star mark. In the process, he helped to create the band's triple-threat guitar sound. Although only one original member remains, Skynyrd continues to have a significant presence in both the rock and country worlds, as well as continues to shake things up with the latest buzz being controversy over whether or not to continue their long-held tradition of waving the Confederate flag on stage. This lineup went on to release Lyve from Steel Town in 1998, followed a year later by Edge of Forever. In 2007, JoJo appeared at Jam-A-Que (a southern rock get-together) with members of the Play It Again Jam in Pleasant view Tennessee. The legendary name sprang from a disciplinarian teacher called Leonard Skinnerd who gave the boys hell in PE and forbade fashionable Beatle length hair. Now, you must be wondering who are the female backup singers for Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band only had two lead singers till now, one of them died in a plane crash. Theyd completed a successful concert in South Carolina and were en route to Louisiana when the tragedy occurred, the Corvair they were on crashing in woods in McComb, Mississippi. During the height of Skynyrd's popularity in the mid-'70s, they adopted a more muscular and gritty blues-rock sound that yielded the classic rock standards "Sweet Home Alabama," "Simple Man," "What's Your Name," "That Smell," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Free Bird." She was best known for her work with The Honkettes, backing vocalists for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Quite a beginning! Kooper produced the group's 1973 debut, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, which was recorded after former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band. Following the release of their second studio album, Second Helping, in 1974, the band members were the stars of the rock scene. Hi! Released in late 1976, the album featured the band's new guitarist, Steve Gaines, and a trio of female backup singers, and it became Skynyrd's second Top Ten album. In 2011, Johnny was hospitalized due to complications from previous surgery. Live from Freedom Hall was released on the same label in 2010. A 31-year-old woman in Collins car died before arriving at the hospital after Wednesdays accident in South Jacksonville, said Mike Kee, a police spokesman. In 1975, he left the band as he was exhausted from touring and then Artimus Pyle replaced him. According to Billingsley, this experience led her to become a born-again Christian.[2]. Save one performance in 1979, Lynyrd Skynyrd would not emerge again for a decade. That year also saw the release of a new studio album, God + Guns, on Roadrunner Records. How do I say I live in grade 7 in hiragana? Listen to it below, and watch the performance live: Check out BraveWords.com scribe Martin Popoff's review of Live From Freedom Hall at this location. Cassie Gaines, JoJo Billingsley, and Leslie Hawkins are the female backup singers of the band. Best Answer. The Lord must be up in heaven laughing,'' White said. The new sextet released Nuthin' Fancy in 1975, and it became the band's first Top Ten hit. Years in the band: 1987-present (Krantz Rossington, at left in photo) and 1996-present (Chase). Gaines & JoJo Billingsly, and Leslie Hawkins. news The group became notorious for their triple-guitar attack, which was showcased on "Free Bird," a tribute to then-recently deceased Duane Allman. The lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd is also the brother of Donnie Van Zant. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The solution was close at hand in the form of Steve Gaines, the kid brother of backup singer Cassie. He signed on for the Skynyrd reunion a decade later, and remained a familiar and popular figure on stage. In April 2015, original Skynyrd drummer Bob Burns died in a single-car accident in Bartow County, Georgia. Then we offer Southern by the Grace of God, the live album that reunites them with old guitar pal Ed King and pushes young Johnny Van Zant into the mic spotlight. Ronnie was an American singer and was best known as the original vocalist of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. '', She remained friends with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and sang with original members when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.