In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. A plane that had problems the previous year. "We were lucky that they were not able to pry open the casket. Authorities did not speculate on a motive, nor whether the intruders may have been deranged fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd seeking a bizarre memento or simply vandals out for a night of destruction. However, they had to relocate it to a new location after his and Van Zant's tombs were broken into. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The final resting places of Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmembers Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines were desecrated by vandals last week at Florida's Jacksonville . Others sustained grave injuries but otherwise survived the accident (via Taste of Country). She was buried near her children. "I hope they [the vandals] get help, because they have to be twisted to do what they did," Morris said. Members of the band party with friends in 1975. Dee Dee has a proper grave, but Johnny sports a cenotaph as a memorial marker for fans to visit. In 2000, their graves were vandalized and opened, some say in order to prove whether or not Van Zant had been wearing a Neil Young shirt when he was buried. Apart from this, Gaines had a compilation album of live recordings with Manalive and Crawdad released on CD in 2001 called I Know A Little Live. She was buried near her children. Drummer Artimus Pyle said that it seemed Ronnie was aware of his imminent death when they were about to go down. Steve Gaines was cremated and buried inOrange Park, Floridain 1977, but was relocated to an undisclosed location after vandals broke into his and bandmateRonnie Van Zant's tombs on June 29, 2000. Pat Fitzhugh is best known for his extensive research and books about the history, legends, and lore of the American South, and his epic investigations of the paranormal. In 2000, nearly 23 years after Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines . Musician. On October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the bands crew were flying to a tour date in Baton Rouge when the plane ran out of fuel and crashed in the Southern Mississippi woods. The Outlaws and Ghosts of The NatchezTrace, Movie Trailer: The Mark of the BellWitch, "From Turkey Creek A Memoir" Fan Page on Facebook, "Ghostly Cries From Dixie" Fan Page on Facebook, "MORE Ghostly Cries From Dixie" Fan Page on Facebook, "The Bell Witch: The Full Account" Fan Page on Facebook, "The Outlaws and Ghosts of The Natchez Trace" Fan Page on Facebook. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. He died on October 20, 1977 in the plane crash that also took the lives of Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. The bag containing Gaines' ashes was broken, and some were spilled. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. Lacy and Marion Van Zant (Ronnie, Johnny, and Donnies parents) graves at Riverside Memorial Park. Clay County Sheriff's deputies found Van Zant's unopened casket on the ground about 3 a.m. at the rear of a marble mausoleum on the northern edge of the cemetery grounds next to the Orange Park Mall on Blanding Boulevard. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He is most well known as a guitarist and songwriter forsouthern rockbandLynyrd Skynyrd, and is the younger brother ofCassie Gaines, who was a back up vocalist for the band's live performances. Leon Wilkeson, the band's bassist, is buried right across from Van Zant and his family. On October 20, 1977, the band and the crew members were flying from Greenville, South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana when their plane crashed outside of Gillsburg in Mississippi. His two brothers also became notable Southern rock musicians: Donnie Van Zant was a member of fellow Jacksonville band 38 Special, while Johnny became lead singer for the reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987. Steve Gaines, Actor: A Way Back In. Gaines, along with Allen Collins and Gary Rossington (who later formed the Rossington Collins Band), came together for what is arguably the best guitar trio in rock music. The site. She was buried near her children. Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone. A lonesome railroad track runs through a rural area between Middleburg, Florida, and Doctors lake, in the Brickyard community, where Ronnie Van Zant started a family and spent his last years. "And at the family's request, the cemetery will pay off-duty officers to provide additional security as well for the next couple of weeks," she said. Southern rock was born in Jacksonville in the 1960s as a new fusion of rock, blues progressions, and a heavy dose of Southern grit. Interestingly, Ed King and Steve Gaines were both born on September 14, 1949. His experience in the field spans nearly four decades. With a focus on the 60s, 70s, and 80s, we aim to grow into the modern age as we grow ourselves. Winehouse had her grandmother's name tattooed on her arm, and her ashes were mixed in with Cynthia's after cremation. Joe Carpenter had traveled from Bradenton to Orange Park to show his girlfriend, Jenney Marsh, Van Zant's grave yesterday. Ronnie Van Zant Ronnie was the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. It has some of my favorite things in life. Steve Gaines was born on September 14, 1949 in Miami, Oklahoma, USA. Assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, the pilot, and co-pilot Walter McCreary and William Gray also died. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. Van Zant was passionate about fishing, and he used it to relax and escape his busy life as a rock star. I really wish I lived next door to this place. was killed in an automobile accident near the cemetery where Steve and Cassie were buried. His girlfriend Caroline followed Bators' wishes to be cremated and spread over the grave of Jim Morrison -- except, according to filmmaker John Waters, for the small amount she snorted. He joined the band for their performance of T-For Texas, (Blue Yodel #1) by Jimmie Rodgers in Kansas City, Missouri at the Municipal Auditorium. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. After he was hit by a car in 1990, he left the hospital without being seen because he was bored. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. . Johnny Ramone: Half of the original Ramones are laid to rest in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery sort of. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For more than 10 years, people have wondered where Jacksonville's own Lynyrd Skynyrd front man Ronnie Van Zant was buried. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Shortly after, he had started his first high school band, The Ravens. An amateur guitarist, avid music lover, movie buff and Owner of Rocks Off Magazine. Their father worked for the Illinois Central Railroad and retired in 1976 as a track supervisor. It is adjacent to the ball field where the famous fly ball incident occurred, which became the bands starting point. However, Kevin Elson, the sound technician, had been listening intently through headphones. Later on, Steve Gaines formed a band called Manalive. The subgenre outlived both the Allman Brothers, who broke up in 1976, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, who disbanded after a plane crash in 1977 that took the lives of three members, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant. Whilst in Manalive, Gaines was playing with his famous Les Paul Black Beauty, which according to friends never left his side. Cassie Gaines (1948 1977) joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975 as a backup singer, one of a trio of gospel vocalists dubbed the Honkettes. "I hope the Lord will forgive them for what they have done.". The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Initially, the band members did not expect a lot from Gaines. Funding for the park and its ongoing operations is provided by The Freebird Foundation. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Finally, on May 11, 1976, they gave Steve Gaines a chance. (1964) and Surfari (1967). The band had been looking for a new third guitar player to replace departed member Ed King, and gave Gaines an audition at the suggestion of his older sister Cassie. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. He was the oldest son of six children (3 sisters and 2 brothers - musicians Donnie and Johnny). Gaines headstone stands just in front of the graves of his sister and parents, and nearby other members of the Gaines family and the former tomb of Ronnie Van Zant. The gravesite is on the border of mall and cemetery property, an elaborate memorial of marble set off from the rest of the cemetery, with park benches, hedges and a large magnolia tree. A fish that dies naturally in the ocean sinks to the depths, taking with it all the carbon it contains. All rights reserved. and help keep the future of the Houston Press, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. He died on October 20, 1977 in Gillsburg, Mississippi, USA. Houston's independent source of Steve's contributions included his co-lead vocal with Ronnie on the co-written "You've Got That Right" (a solid hit single released after the plane crash) and the rousing guitar boogie "I Know A Little" which he had written before he joined Skynyrd. "Due to the June 29th, 2000 vandalization of his original grave site, his casket was moved to this new location and buried in a massive underground concrete burial vault. Just beyond the bridge wall and under the power lines is the train trestle where the main photo for the Nuthin Fancy album was made. He was 29 yeas old. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. The Gaines Effect shook the world when he joined the band during their legendary performance at Knebworth Festival in 1976. His grave was vandalized on June 29, 2000, which prompted his family to move his remains to an unknown location. Judy Jenness, Van Zant's widow, announced the decision in a statement issued through the Clay County Sheriff's Office yesterday. When he was 15 years old, he saw the Beatles performing live in Kansas City. A listing name reads: "Two plots with vaults adjacent to the late Ronnie Van Zant.". Steve Gaines/Age at death. As reported by Rolling Stone, Wilkeson was buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville. Pat Fitzhugh - Author / Researcher / Paranormal Adventurer. Aviation Accident And Incident. These alleged sightings also happened at Lake Delancy, one of Ronnie's favored fishing spots. Steven Earl Gaines was born on the 14th of September in 1949 in Miami, Oklahoma. The ash remains of Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines' sister and a vocalist with the band, were undisturbed. Register here, by continue you accept our A $22,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprits has been posted, says the sheriff. . Ronnie grabbed a pillow from the back of the plane, walked back to his seat, and smiled at Pyle. Musician. Please enter the adress associated with your account. Cause of Death. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 7. As the astonished band members quickly drove away, no one said a word. In 1988, MCA Records released the recordings Steve Gaines had made with John Ryan (producer) in the album titled One in the Sun. In a conversation with Gene Odom, the bands security manager, Van Zant told him, that Steve Gaines is the best thing to ever happen to this band., On October 13, 1977, the band departed on a tour in their old plane to support and promote their new album. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Rocks Off Magazine is reader-supported. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Download Image. John Lennon: After he was shot in 1980, there was no funeral for the legendary Beatle. The caller had been waiting for someone to pick him up at the mall. When the plane crashed, Ronnie Van Zant instantly died due to blunt force trauma to his head. Its on Doctors Lake, a tributary of the St. Johns River and where Ronnie and Gary were fishing during the 1970s Pepsi Cola Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd videos opening shots. Rocks Off Magazine contains a number of affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission when you click these links, at no additional cost to you. I have placed it behind the read more link (but like most things WordPress, its probably not working right). Originally, he was buried at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, but due to vandalism, was moved from there to Riverside Memorial Park on Normandy Boulevard. Musician. In a bizarre twist to the case, 40-year-old David Jennings of Jacksonville was arrested and charged early Monday with damaging a temporary, plywood wall on the rear of Van Zant's Mausoleum, Justino said. In 2004, Gaines was elected president of the Southern Baptist Pastors Conference, and was the keynote speaker at the SBC annual meeting in Nashville. I have posted a few pictures here and there, always with the promise of one day publishing all of them, along with the stories history behind them. In December 1975, Steve's older sister,Cassie, became a member ofLynyrd Skynyrd's female backup singers,The Honkettes. What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? Cassie convinced him to drive to Kansas City from his small farm just outside West Seneca, Oklahoma. The Van Zant family plot at Riverside Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida. This store was the inspiration for The Ballad of Curtis Lowe.. This is a very lengthy, detailed post. Today Gary Rossington is the last surviving member of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Along with another compilation of live recordings with Detroit and Crawdad released as a CD titled Okie Special. It's disrespectful.". Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. So confident was Skynyrd's leader of Steve's abilities that the album (and some concerts) featured Steve delivering his self-penned bluesy "Ain't No Good Life" one of the few songs in the pre-crash Skynyrd catalog to feature a lead vocalist other thanRonnie Van Zant. When Steve was 15 years old, he sawThe Beatleslive in Kansas City. When the tampering was discovered, investigators found Van Zant's coffin on the ground amid broken pieces of marble from the rear wall of a mausoleum. Gaines was cremated and his ashes were buried in Orange Park, Florida in 1977, but were relocated to an undisclosed location after vandals broke into his and bandmate Ronnie Van Zants tombs on June 29, 2000. 19741977 Both Cassie and Steve Gaines lost their lives in the crash as well as Ronnie Van Zant. On February 15, 1979, the mother of Steve and Cassie, also named Cassie LaRue Gaines, was killed in an automobile accident near the cemetery where Steve and Cassie are buried. Though they shipped out for Macon, Georgia just a few weeks later, their impact was immense in their city of origin, with a number of bands following in their footsteps over the next decade. But the break-in at the mausoleum has left the family particularly shaken, Justino said. "Their remains were moved sometime over the weekend. Although initially reluctant, the band relented and on May 11, 1976 Steve joined Skynyrd on stage for one song. Is Sweet Home Alabama Song racist? The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. He is the subject of the 2001 song "Cassie's Brother" by rock band Drive-By Truckers. 10. They jammed with him informally a couple of times more, then invited him into the band just in time for the recording of Skynyrd's live albumOne More From The Road. Ronnie Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida. Like Van Zant had forecasted that the band would be under the shadow of Gaines one day, it is sad we never got to experience it. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Next time we may not [be] so lucky.". The Highway 16 bridge over the St. Johns River, a good ways south of Jacksonville. The band ended up recording a single for Stax Records in 1971. Last week, family members established a $5,000 Van Zant and Gaines Reward Fund at Oceanside Bank in Neptune Beach for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. The listing claims the value is at $8,780, but Cochran is selling it for $4,000. There have been a few other minor incidents of vandalism to Van Zant's burial tomb, including the theft in February 1982 of a stone memorial with an inscription by country singer Charlie Daniels. While Van Zants casket was not opened, the urn containing Gainess ashes was, and his ashes were spilled. On October 20, 1977, three days after the albumStreet Survivorswas released (and five dates into the band's most successful tour yet), a plane carrying the band between shows fromGreenville, South CarolinatoBaton Rouge, Louisiana, crashed outside ofGillsburg, Mississippi. Only three days later on October 20, tragedy struck when the plane carrying the band crashed in a Mississippi countryside, leaving vocalists Ronnie Van Zant and Cassie Gaines, as well as guitarist Steve Gaines, dead. When Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't busy with their music, Van Zant's go-to activity was fishing. The Gaines siblings and Van Zant, along with three members of the group's road crew, were killed in October 1977 when their twin-engine airplane crashed into a Mississippi swamp. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. Sammie Ketcher, a member of two of Gaines early bands recalls. In 1975, the band recorded at the notable southern rock hub, Capricorn Studios in Macon, Georgia. Whiteys Fish Camp. King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. His first band, The Ravens (a local High School rock band that Steve's friends formed), made its first recording at the famousSun RecordsStudio inMemphis, Tennessee. Gaines was born in Miami, Oklahoma. Excerpts and links may be used in the interests of education and fair use, and in a non-defamatory manner, provided full and clear credit is given to Pat Fitzhugh and www.patfitzhugh.com, with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. He has now been laid to rest. After the death of three of their members, the band decided to change the cover photo of the album, which initially featured a picture of the band engulfed in flames. A bit of an old soul who enjoys a good hit of nostalgia! 5. She was buried near her children. But as the years passed, the songs and sounds of Steve Cropper and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio served as his influence. Grant Gaines Lindsey Wingo Allison Hill Bethany Golding. Sept. 14, 1949 - Oct. 20, 1977. "Investigators said it's unlikely anybody could have broken it with their fist or foot. Laying on the ground, still alive for only a moment, to slowly bleed to death. During this time, the band was in the midst of searching for a guitarist to replaceEd King, who left the band in mid-1975. Copyright 2012-2022, Pat Fitzhugh; all rights reserved. Steve Gaines was killed instantly upon impact and his sister Cassie Gaines perished as well. Burial. We would be grateful if you would support our work by recording your loved ones, preserving their memory for future generations. "Ronnie knew that he was going to die," he said. Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. At 1:30 p.m., Steve and Cassie Gaines' childhood street in Miami, Circle Drive, will be co-named Gaines Drive in their honor. Can a leprechaun get away if you look at him? Their mausoleums remain as memorials for fans to visit. As of yesterday, donations from fans had increased the reward to $22,000. He dined there often, and the place was only a stones throw from his last home, just off nearby Brickyard Road. Cassie Gaines, the bands backup vocalist, was his older sister. What is meant by the competitive environment? Present-day Skynyrd band members, including Johnny Van Zant, have been spotted there, as have former members of .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, and all those other famous Jacksonville bands. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. 9. Throughout the 1970s, Steve Gaines played in bands such as ILMO Smokehouse from Quincy, Il, and Detroit. The first of the three shows recorded for the album was only Gaines third time playing with the band. He also appeared in the 2006 motion picture DVD, An American Haunting, starring Sissy Spacek and Donald Sutherland. In December of 1975, Cassie Gaines, Steves older sister, was inducted into Lynyrd Skynyrds The Honkettes, a group of female singers who sang backup vocals for the band. He was the lead vocal in the song Aint No Good Life. But its songs like That Smell, I Know A Little (written before he joined Skynyrd), and Honky Tonk Night Time Man where he displays his remarkable guitar playing. Published on August 28, 1998 12:00 AM.