Updated September 7, 2024

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June 17, 2023 – An updated Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions has been needed for some time. The one that I created back in the late 90’s is still out there, and had not been refreshed for many, many years.

I wanted to provide updated answers to some of the questions that were already on the list. I also wanted to add some of the Lynyrd Skynyrd FAQ’s that are out there now. Thousands of times a month people on the internet still search for Skynyrd info, and ask questions about the band and it’s members.

This is my best effort to provide the accurate, updated answers to these questions. If you see anything that you think may be incorrect or you have a question of your own, please send me a message and the information that you may have at info (@) skynyrd.com. Or you can leave a comment below right on this page.

Image from Official Lynyrd Skynyrd Website

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Who were the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Technically, the original members were Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, and Larry Junstrom. At this time the band called themselves The One Percent. (See below for other names the band used.) But this was the original members of the band that would eventually become, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

In 1969 the band finally changed the name to Lynyrd Skynyrd. (Also see below for where the name came from.)

The first name they used was My Backyard, which was followed by The Noble Five. They also went by other names including Conqueror Worm, Sons of Satan, The Wildcats and finally The One Percent. The band went by the One Percent for several years until 1970.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Where did the name Lynyrd Skynyrd come from?
How did Lynyrd Skynyrd get their name?
Where did Lynyrd Skynyrd get their name?

Where did the name Lynyrd Skynyrd come from? The band name, Lynyrd Skynyrd, came froma person’s name, Leonard Skinner. He was a gym coach at Robert E. Lee High School, which the band members attended in Jacksonville. At some point in the 1960s Skinner disciplined Gary and Bob for their  long hair, which was against the dress code.

Even after dropping out of school, the young men remembered all the hassles they received from him. In 1970, while still playing as the One Percent, they had a gig at a local club called the Forest Inn. Ronnie spontaneously said out to the crowd, “Hey, we’re Leonard Skinner and we’re gonna play for y’all tonight.”

Since most everyone there was familiar with Coach Skinner, the name was an instant hit and stuck. Over time, the vowels were changed “to protect the guilty” — as Gary put it at one time.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

How many original members are in Lynyrd Skynyrd?
How many of the original members Lynyrd Skynyrd are still alive?

As of March 5, 2023 when guitarist Gary Rossington died, there are no original members left in the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. All of the original members have passed away.

The only members of the touring band that were associated with the original band are guitarist Rickey Medlocke, who was with the band as a drummer for a short period in the early seventies. Rickey was not technically an original member, however.

The only other member with any relationship to the original band is current lead singer, Johnny Van Zant, younger brother of original singer/songwriter, Ronnie Van Zant.

About a month after the passing of Gary Rossington, the last original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band announced that they would continue to tour. Rossington died on March 5, 2023.

Gary’s wife, Dale Krantz Rossington, has stated that Gary always said that the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd was bigger than just one person. And that he stated repeatedly that he would wish for the band to continue after he was gone.

You can always check the band’s official website to see what the current tour dates are. And be sure to read this post about the Lynyrd Skynyrd 50th Anniversary Show, filmed at the famous Ryman Auditorium.

Most of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentaries are available with Prime Video

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Who died in the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
Who died in Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
Who died from Lynyrd Skynyrd

The October 20, 1977, plane crash killed lead singer and song writer Ronnie VanZant, guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick. Also killed were pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Which members of Lynyrd Skynyrd survived the plane crash?
Who survived the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
Who survived Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
Who from Lynyrd Skynyrd survived?
How many of Lynyrd Skynyrd died in the plane crash?

There were 24 passengers and 2 crew members on the plane when it went down. There were 20 survivors of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash.

Survivors from the band included Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle, as well as “Honkette” background singer, Leslie Hawkins.

Background singer, JoJo Billingsley was not on the flight.

There were also several members of the band’s road crew, lighting and sound crew that survived.

Where did Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
What year did Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
When did Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?
When was the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash?

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s chartered Convair CV-240 airplane crashed on October 20, 1977, in a densely wooded area just ouside of Gillburg, Mississippi, United States. The crashed was reported to have happened at 18:52 CST.

The band had performed a show in Greenville, SC and were bound for Baton Rouge, LA.

On October 20, 2019, The Lynyrd Skynyrd Monument was unveiled near the crash site. It was erected by a group dedicated to memorializing the site of the crash, as well as the local people who who rushed to help after the plane went down. 

You can visit the Lynyrd Skynyrd Monument website here for more information. They also have a Facebook Page.

As of 2023, the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd has sold over 28 million records.

MCA Records has stated that Skynyrd has sold over 30 million records, and for years the band was their best selling artist.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

How many records did Lynyrd Skynyrd make
How many albums did Lynyrd Skynyrd make before the plane crash?
How many albums did the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band make?

The “original” Lynyrd Skynyrd band recorded six albums before the plane crash in October, 1977. Five studio albums, and one Live album that was recorded at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA.

The band members changed a bit throughout these years, but these six albums were recorded and released while  Ronnie Van Zant was alive.

Original Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums In Order

Gimme Back My Bullets

One More From The Road

Shortly after the release of Skynyrd’s fifth album, Street Survivors, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s plane crashed and three of the band members perished. The cover featured the band standing on a street with flames around them.

Out of respect for the deceased, the album cover was changed on later pressings to exclude the flames. This made the original cover worth more money than later ones.

As of mid-2023, copies of the “Street Survivors” album cover with the flames can sell for between $50 and $100, depending on condition. A sealed/unopened copy will sell for more than that. There are many factors to consider, however, so prices vary greatly.

There’s always copies of Lynyrd Skynyrd Street Survivors Vinyl LP With Flames Cover available on Ebay. It’s a great way to pick up a little piece of Lynyrd Skynyrd history.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Lynyrd Skynyrd still alive?
Did lynyrd skynyrd die in a plane crash
Lynyrd Skynyrd age of death?
How old was Lynyrd Skynyrd when he died

There was never a person named Lynyrd Skynyrd. That was the name of the band, not a person in the band. The name came from some of the member’s former high school gym coach, Leonard Skinner.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s chartered plane crashed en route from Greenvile, SC to Baton Rouge, LA. Three band members, and the band’s road manager perished in the crash. (See the “Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash”  section below for more details.)

Their are no original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd still alive. The last surviving original member, guitarist Gary Rossington, died March 5, 2023. Coach Skinner, the band’s namesake, passed away September 29, 2010.

Ronnie Van Zant was 29 years old when he died. Van Zant, the lead singer and lyricist for the Southern Rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, was born January 15, 1948 in Jacksonville, FL He died on October 20, 1977 when the chartered plane the band was on went down in a remote wooded area outside Gillsburg, MS.

Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, had always expressed his desire for people not to gather and stare at his body after his passing. His wishes were deeply respected by his loved ones, including his widow, Judy, who vividly remembered his words.

Unfortunately, with the passage of time, numerous rumors and tales have surfaced, falsely depicting Ronnie as being severely disfigured or even decapitated in the plane crash. However, it’s important to clarify that these stories are entirely untrue.

In reality, Ronnie had just one bruise on his temple, approximately the size of a quarter. Judy and Lacy both recall seeing him at his funeral, and he appeared peacefully at rest, resembling someone that was just asleep.

January 1986, in Jacksonville, FL, Allen  Collins was driving near his home when he lost control of his car and flipped the the vehicle. Along with being paralyzed from the chest down, his girlfriend was killed in the crash.

Later, Allen pled no contest to a DUI manslaughter charge. Over the next several months Allen’s condition continued to deteriorate, and he entered the hospital, where he contracted pneumonia. Medications used to treat his pneumonia damaged his liver. Allen Collins passed away on January 23, 1990.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

When did Gary Rossington die?
What has happened to Gary Rossington?

Gary Rossington, original guitarist/songwriter for the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away on March 5, 2023 at the age of 71. He had experienced various health complications in the last few years of his life, and in 2015 the band had to cancel some shows after Rossington suffered a heart attack on October 8. He had emergency heart surgery again in July of 2021. The cause of death has not been given.

Gary Rossington performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd for the last time on November 13, 2022. The band was celebrating 50 years with a show at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Gary Rossington was the last original member of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band.

Ed King had been suffering from lung cancer in the months before his passing. On August 22, 2018, King died in Nashville, TN at the age of 68.

JoJo Billingsley lived with her family in Cullman, AL. She passed away from cancer on June 24, 2010. She was 58 years old.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of hat did Ronnie Van Zant wear?

Ronnie’s distinctive hats were custom made for him by Texas Hatters. The model is called the Hi-Roller hat, and is still available to order.

Texas Hatters have made hats for several other famous entertainers including Ronnie’s brother, Donnie Van Zant from 38 Special.

Similar hats are available online as well.

Ronnie Van Zant Hat Amazon:

Donnie Van Zant Style With Concho Hat Band

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Did Ronnie Van Zant have any tattoos?
What tattoos did Ronnie Van Zant have?

Ronnie had what is referred to as a “Sailor Jerry” tattoo on his upper right arm. Sailor Jerry’s real name was Norman Collins, and he created his legendary style of tattoos from his parlor in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The tattoo that Ronnie had was from sheet number 7. It had a furled american flag in the background, with an eagle with it’s wings spread in the foreground. The scroll underneath read “Lacy”, Ronnie’s fathers name.

Image from vintagetattooflash.com

Bob Burns was the original drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and can be heard playing on their first two albums, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd and Second Helping. He is also featured on some of their early demo recordings that were included on the album, Skynyrd’s First and… Last.

In 1996 or ’97, the then exsistent Freebird Foundation reached out to Burns with the question, and received this response:

“I left the band in 1974 because of my health. I wasn’t feeling good or thinking good at that time. Ronnie never fired me and I never quit, but I just had to leave for my own sake. The touring, the recording, the constant motion was too much. I’m very proud of my contributions though. Even today when I listen to the radio and hear me, I can hardly believe it.”

Bob Burns passed away in April of 2015.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Ballad Of Curtis Loew a true story?
Was Curtis Loew a real person?

These questions are still being asked decades after the song was released in 1974.

The Ballad Of Curtis Loew was written by Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins. It was first released in 1974 on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Second Helping” album.

One of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic songs, The Ballad of Curtis Loew, loosely drew its inspiration from the vibrant characters that resided near Ronnie’s home in Jacksonville’s Westside.

The “country store” portrayed in the song finds its roots in Claude’s Midway Grocery, situated at the intersection of Plymouth and Lakeshore. Claude’s became the backdrop for this musical tale. (NOTE: The building had been abandoned for a few years, and was finally torn down in August of 2021. – Florida Times-Union article)

Although a specific person named Curtis Loew didn’t exist, there were numerous colorful individuals resembling Curtis Loew within the neighborhood. The unique spelling of the name emerged when guitarist Ed King penned the liner notes for the Second Helping album in 1974. In a playful twist, he humorously combined the name of an old Florida black bluesman with the Jewish heritage of Loew’s Theatre, crafting a name that resonated well with the song’s bluesy and soulful essence.