The key(s) to Skynyrd was none other than pianist and keyboard master Billy Powell. Forever will the world remember the musical mark and impact Steve Gaines left as a part of this historical legacy. Only being able to rock the southern stage for a year, Steve Gaines’ life was lost with the crashing blow of the plane on October 20, 1977. Unfortunately for the band and world, Steve’s presence on Skynyrd was beyond short-lived as the possibilities were practically endless with the combination of him and Ronnie on stage. Whether you are looking at the solo work that Steve Gaines accomplished before Ronnie got his hands on him, or his incredibly brilliant composition and guitar work on Street Survivors, all Skynyrd fans will agree that Steve pushed every single member of the band to be better with hard work and passion. Very rarely does a rock artist come around that has the ability to command as an unstoppable powerhouse with a soft, smooth vocal texture that can rock you to sleep Ronnie was just that. From the minute Ronnie auditioned for the band’s vocalist position in high school, to wowing the world and stealing the show at the Who’s Quadrophenia tour, Ronnie was always a strong-willed force to be reckoned with.Īs the moving voice of the southern legacy, Ronnie fabricated true and beautiful stories without ever once putting a pen to paper he was a born lyricist and legend and every single member knew it.

What needs to be said about Ronnie Van Zant? Other than the fact that he was Lynyrd Skynyrd: the heart, soul and voice of the brotherhood and the enforcer of all things perfection the loss of Ronnie Van Zant still hurts.

Lynyrd skynyrd members