steve and cassie gaines grave

Cassie LaRue Gaines (January 9, 1948 October 20, 1977) was an American singer, best known for her work with Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park . Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Pyle, Frank, and Peden were met with hostility when they finally came up to Mote. Like I said its very one of a kind and rare. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The Vintage News Aerosmith Said No, Lynyrd Skynyrd Said Yes To The Plane. [5] According to controversial claims by survivor Billy Powell, Gaines bled to death after the accident in Powell's arms due to deep lacerations.[6]. Musician. Cassie Gaines Following her death in the 1977 plane crash, Gaines was buried just behind her brother Steve's grave in Jacksonville Memory Gardens. The two tell 2 Works for You back in the day they were looked at as a bunch of hippies. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot realized that the plane was running out of fuel. It was rumored that it was Ed Kings (original guitar player for Lynyrd Skynyrd) wife but it was not confirmed. That farm belonged to a young dairy farmer named Johnny Mote. Failed to report flower. Just like the Smithsonian, or anywhere yes, it speaks major volume that we would have a collection like this on display. As the birthplace of so many bands, Jacksonville also has been the final resting place for many Southern rock musicians. The original mausoleum remains in place. Members of the band that survived the crash said that Cassie actually survived the initial impact. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Sadly, just a few months later, their mother, LaRue Gaines, would also die a tragic death. Sang background vocals (one of the Honkettes) for Lynyrd Skynyrd. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Headline from a local newspaper reporting the crash. Sammy Ketcher and Bobby Poole played with Steve Gaines in Miami. Finally, Pyle was able to let him know that they had been involved in a plane crash and needed help. Powells nose had been nearly ripped from his face after crashing head first through a table. Photo: obviousmag.org. They had a special display case with a gold-framed commemorative edition of the Street Survivors album, as this was the album that had been released during their final tour with the original members. 102. Rocks Off is a digital collection of stories, articles, and music. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. They immediately approached her and asked her to join their band as a backup singer. Learn more about managing a memorial . 30 Likes, 0 Comments - Alberto Zini (@zini_alberto) on Instagram: "Lynard Skynard memorial site, in memory of Steve, Cassie and Ronnie.Ma quanto era figo Steve" The ash remains of Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines' sister and a vocalist with the band, were undisturbed. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. The cockpit, tail, and wings completely ripped apart and the remaining cab lay desolate, in the shape of an L. The plane was simply not built well enough to even remotely handle the impact from the pine trees at roughly 90 mph. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Marc Frank was beaten terribly and was also covered in lacerations and blood. He attempted an emergency landing just outside Gillsburg, Mississippi. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. The band was asked to fly there in a Convair CV-240 that had been chartered to carry them to the next stop on their tour. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. (Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. We have a really good Steve Gaines display here, theres a lot of good stuff in the Dobson Museum in Miami, so come and see it, its part of the Oklahoma music trail. Poole says. The problem was, Cassie Gaines had never heard of the band and didnt know any of their music. Southern rock was born in Jacksonville in the 1960s as a new fusion of rock, blues progressions, and a heavy dose of Southern grit. I said "yes Steve, you're good enough. Cassie Gaines (1948-1977) - Find a Grave Memorial. He was 29 yeas old. Former Lynyrd Skynyrd members and Miami, Oklahoma natives Steve and Cassie Gaines may have passed away in a place crash back in 1977, but thanks to Steves daughter, Corrina Biemiller, their legacy lives on in Miami. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. I would like to think that only one grave robber was involved, but so many items were missing that I have to believe otherwise. It was as if they were back in Noahs time and all but a select few were stricken with greed of mankind and the chance to capitalize on an easy opportunity. Photographer Chris Soldt takes a tour of Jacksonville's Southern rock graves. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. As part of the festivities to honor Cassie and Steve Gaines, the city of Miami had an entire celebration dedicated to them. Verify and try again. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Among them were Lacy Van Zant, Ronnies Father, and .38 Specials Guitarist Dan Barnes. This historical marker was erected by Coleman Theatre. They were set to play in Baton Rouge, Louisiana the next day. We have set your language to Ketcher said he stayed in touch with Gaines through the years, and his former band mate watched him perform the night before signing with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mote fired a warning shot in the air. Both brother and sister were killed in the airplane crash that also took the life of Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Ronnie Van Zant. Husband of Cassie Larue Geines. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. A jaw-dropping new report published on Thursday accuses Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy of engaging in "frightening and humiliating" violent sex with several woman. Try again. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Most of the 20 survivors were taken to Southwest Regional Medical Center in McComb, where the lobby had been transformed into a makeshift emergency treatment center to quickly deal with the onslaught of plane crash victims. Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash. [2] Though Cassie Gaines initially refused to board the flight, she was against her better judgment convinced to do so by other passengers. To this day they remember him fondly. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. News had spread about the crash and before too long an estimated 3,000 people had swarmed to the crash site. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? we love you, Your email address will not be published. Which he ended up doing, you know?" As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Oops, something didn't work. Try again later. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Once she had a chance to get to know their music a little better, she agreed to join the band. Here Are Our Sources: Remembering Lynyrd Skynyrds Deadly 1977 Plane Crash, Jordan Runtagh, The Rolling Stones, What Happened To The Surviving Members Of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash?, Micheal Cristopher, Ultimate Classic Rock.com, Falling Free Bird: The Truth About The Infamous Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash Is Stranger Than Fiction, Phil Gibbons, Ranker.com, The Joplin Globe Steve and Cassie Gaines to be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. Try again. Her brother was Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gaines. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. Search above to list available cemeteries. Ronnie had died instantly upon impact, his head slamming into a tree. Dean Kilpatrick, the bands manager, lay dead and covered in blood. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. The museum will be open from 9:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, and at 4:00 the official induction will begin at the Hall of Fame. Sang background vocals (one of the Honkettes) for Lynyrd Skynyrd. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. All of the seats were ripped from the frame of the plane, landing in the front section of the crash. On October 20, 1977, Cassie Gaines and the rest of Lynyrd Skynyrd were playing a show at the Greenville Memorial Auditorium in South Carolina. Weve updated the security on the site. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. . If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. (Pronounced Lh-nrd Skin-nrd) Released: August 13, 1973Second Helping Released: April 15, 1974Nuthin Fancy Released: March 24, 1975Gimme Back My Bullets Released: February 2, 1976Street Survivors Released: October 17, 1977Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 Released: June 11, 1991The Last Rebel Released: February 16, 1993Endangered Species Released: August 9, 1994Twenty Released: April 29, 1997Edge of Forever Released: August 10, 1999Christmas Time Again Released: September 12, 2000Vicious Cycle Released: May 20, 2003God & Guns Released: September 29, 2009Last of a Dyin Breed Released: August 21, 2012, Jacksonville Memory Gardens111 Blanding BoulevardOrange Park, FL32073904 272-2435, Cassie, Steve Gaines,Ronnie Van Zant will be greatly missed. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. By the end of May of that year, he was a member of the band. He has now been laid to rest in a different family plot. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Try again later. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Everybody Knows The Words, But What Is Hotel California About? Try again later. Register here, by continue you accept our For members Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, the weight of what happened seemed to push down on them the most. She was visiting the cemetery where her son and daughter were buried. Deceased people hanging from trees, the other survivors moaning for help of any kind, and completely surrounded by a black swamp whose canopy is blocking the only light that is trying so desperately to shine through. Three of the survivors, Artimus Pyle, Marc Frank, and Ken Peden actually went on foot to get help. It happens. Devonshire Downs Home Of The Newport Pop Festiv UC Theatre Taube Family Music Hall In Berkeley, CA, Ultra-Sonic Recording Studios Former Location In Hempstead, NY, Ode Records Former Location In Malibu, California, Buried Here Bob McBride, Singer For Lighthouse, The Singer Bowl The Doors Headline For The Who In 1968. Van Zant and the Gaines siblings were originally laid to rest in nearby plots at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, Florida, with Van Zant entombed in a marble mausoleum. Steve Gaines, Septembe. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. [3] Her hesitation was due to a small fire on one of the engines the previous day. 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. After a great deal of time and thought we decided on a quiet, peaceful spot under a big oak tree overlooking a small lake., RELATED: Lynyrd Skynyrd monument unveiled in Mississippi | Survivors of Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash, families, fans commemorate site, He has been moved, and we hope that completion of the new site will be early spring, she said. 0 cemeteries found in Orange Park, Clay County, Florida, USA. Unfortunately, the landing didnt go smoothly and the plane ended up crashing. Oops, we were unable to send the email. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. Year should not be greater than current year. For assistance with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. Miami, Ottawa County . Thank you for signing up to the Rocks Off. Votes" polls, earn exclusive profile badges and claim your Rocks Off Mag merch! 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. privacy policy, by continuing you accept our Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Son of Earl Eli and Vesta Ora Mae (Jones) Gaines Sr. Musician. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. At this point, for Artimus Pyle, Marc Frank, and Ken Peden, the only sensible thing left to do was to leave certain death at the crash site, for uncertainty in the swamp. They walked for what seemed like forever to a local farm. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. . There are no volunteers for this cemetery. This browser does not support getting your location. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. When Lynyrd Skynyrd was in need of a guitar player to replace recently departed Ed King, Cassie recommended her younger brother, Steve, who joined the band soon after. You knew where you stood with him right up front," Bobby Poole said. Ronnie Van Zant and JoJo Billingsley, who asked Cassie to join the band, gave her a few of their albums to listen to. There was an error deleting this problem. There was an error deleting this problem. Sorry! Required fields are marked *, Buried Here Thomas Michael Caldwell, Toy T. Caldwell & George F. McCorkle. With the dust settled from a plane crash that would make a small Mississippi town famous, everything that surrounded the few conscious and able survivors were completely horrific and getting darker by the second. The plane crash itself had its own haunting history. 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. 11 comments. The crash also killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve's sister Cassie Gaines, . After his and Van Zants graves were damaged by vandals in 2000, Gaines family reportedly removed his ashes to a private location. Where Did We Find This Stuff? based on information from your browser. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Artimus Pyle and Gary Rossington are the only two members alive today from the crash. To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel. View 2 previous comments . Not long after Cassie joined the band, Lynyrd Skynyrd lost one of their guitar players Ed King. Add to your scrapbook. Van Zants family decided to relocate his remains to Riverside Memorial Park cemetery in Jacksonville. Copyright20062023,Somerightsreserved. The years after the crash would be difficult in its own right for surviving members, most of which would experience tragedy and early death themselves. Former Lynyrd Skynyrd members and Miami, Oklahoma natives Steve and Cassie Gaines may have passed away in a place crash back in 1977, but thanks to Steve's daughter, Corrina Biemiller,. He could hear the people moaning, pleading for help. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. 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. Leon Wilkeson and Billy Powell would both go on to pursue other musical ventures and both have a hand in several Lynyrd Skynyrd re-boots. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He was just a good guy, he was a good person, always treated everybody well. Suffocating the people on the bottom from the sheer weight. Gene Odom had been thrown from the plane and broke his neck, his skin badly burned and one eye blinded by phosphorus from a de-icing flare that had been aboard. Failed to remove flower. Rudge chartered three planes for loved ones to identify the bodies. A system error has occurred. Family members linked to this person will appear here. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Please try again later. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. But not all had the intentions of lending a helping hand. She intended to travel in the tour trucks but boarded the flight due to Van Zant's persuasion. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Make sure that the file is a photo. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Mote recalls the first thing he saw was a bloody hand sticking out from the wreckage. . This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. I spoke with Judy Van Zant by phone on Friday, and she gave me the following explanation why she and her daughter, Melody, made this decision. As the three marched on, feet soaking wet from the water, all odds seemed stacked against the trio. Artimus has had many ups and downs since then, several incarcerations, and a huge falling out with Gary. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Rossington recalls saying It was always weird for Allen and me because we were up front in the plane. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. She helped get her brother, Steve, an audition. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Steve Gaines (2351)? Sang background vocals (one of the Honkettes) for Lynyrd Skynyrd. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. Some believe that had it not taken so long for help to arrive, Cassie Gaines may have survived. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. You can make it from here. There is a problem with your email/password. Cassie LaRue Gaines was born on January 9, 1948, in Seneca, Missouri. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Steve Gaines I found on Findagrave.com. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. At 1:30 p.m., Steve and Cassie Gaines' childhood street in Miami, Circle Drive, will be co-named Gaines Drive in their honor. In fact, despite the fact that the pilot had signaled a call for help, nobody responded. Photo: Pinterest. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. But soon, the helicopters that were heard and seen previously were on the scene. Ronnies mother Marion refused to make the flight, after seeing a horrific plane crash of her own that killed 9 people. They called themselves The Honkettes. The crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, as well as pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. Gaines was just learning guitar as he joined their band "The Cellar Door" at the age of 16. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. with Janice Tewell. 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. With a focus on the 60s, 70s, and 80s, we aim to grow into the modern age as we grow ourselves. They all died but we didnt. Try again later. Lead vocalist and founding member of the southern rock band, Ronnie Van Zant, also lost his life in the accident. In addition to his fractured ribcage, Artimus Pyle was treated for numerous abrasions and contusions. I told him that it was the strongest thing I had seen a man do.. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. The only thing left was a trail of debris and people. There was a problem getting your location. They said no & that plane crashed on October 20, 1977", 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=Cassie_Gaines&oldid=1142547056, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in the United States, Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1977, Musicians killed in aviation accidents or incidents, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox musical artist with associated acts, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 01:14. Use your Rocks Off Mag account to vote in our "G.O.A.T. Feb 29, 2020 - Rock Musician. Her mom and dad, Bud and LaRue Gaines raised her along with her two brothers, Bob and Steve. In 1988, MCA Records released some of Gaines' previously produced tracks on the album, "One in the Sun." In 2006, Gaines was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Both Cassie Gaines and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. He was 29 yeas old. Johnny Mote and his ragtag team were first on the crash site. Try again later. Ever since, the site has served as a shrine for fans, who often leave flowers, guitar picks, an other tokens in tribute to the band members. Add to your scrapbook. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Ronnie Van Zant Ronnie was the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band had been looking for a new third guitar player to replace departed member Ed King, and gave Gaines an audition . Comment. To use this feature, use a newer browser. The day before, they had learned of a small engine fire on the plane. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Steve Gaines (1949 - 1977) joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in May 1976. A bit of an old soul who enjoys a good hit of nostalgia! Gaines was invited by JoJo Billingsley and Ronnie Van Zant to join Lynyrd Skynyrd as a backup singer. The pilots were still in their seats, but were laying upside down in nearby trees. In fact, Southern rock is arguably as popular now as it was in its heyday, and more recent Jacksonville bands, including JJ Grey and Mofro and the Tedeschi Trucks Band, continue to carry on its legacy. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Daylight saving time may soon be permanent in Oklahoma, Jury recommends 100 years to life for Joplin man, Former OK judge comes out against recreational marijuana, Joplin tests sirens during statewide tornado drill, Best smart home devices for older users, according, How to get started on spring cleaning early, according, Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? Weve updated the security on the site. There is a problem with your email/password. based on information from your browser. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? It Crashed, Killing 3 Members, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Drinking, Fighting, Hell-Raising: The Classic Skynyrd Lineup In Pittsburgh, Associate Press Mississippi Road Signs For Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash Site, Hollywood Reporter Appeals Court Reverses Ban on Lynyrd Skynyrd Movie, Ronnie Van Zant Of Lynyrd Skynyrd Predicted His Own Death, Groove History, 1977 Missippi Convair CV-240 Plane Crash, Wikipedia, History Collection The Deadliest Plane Crash in Canada Killed 248 Soldiers in 1985, History Collection A Plane Crashed into the Empire State Building (1945). Ketcher said. Please reset your password. privacy policy. What Is The Meaning Of Stairway To Heaven: Led Zeppelins Amazing 1971 Musical Epic? An amateur guitarist, avid music lover, movie buff and Owner of Rocks Off Magazine. A tragic scene no person would ever wish to see or soon forget. This browser does not support getting your location. Steve Gaines was killed instantly upon impact and his sister Cassie Gaines perished as well. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The band regularly has different people sit in and play shows with them like Warren Haynes and Dicky Betts. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Rescue vehicles on the ground found no direct path in sight. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Cassie Gaines I found on Findagrave.com. Learn more about merges. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back. There was a bit of controversy over the crash. Failed to delete memorial. Steve Gaines was killed instantly upon impact and his sister Cassie Gaines perished as well. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. MIAMI, Okla. -- The city of Miami is preparing to honor their own this weekend, inducting two members of Lynyrd Skynyrd into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Kilpatrick and the pilots were laid in a temporary morgue at a local high school gymnasium. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. Due to the June 29th, 2000, vandalizing of this gravesite, his casket was moved to Riverside Memorial Park and buried in a massive underground concrete burial vault. Cassie sang background vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 1975, his sister, Cassie, whose group had been hired to sing back up for Lynyrd Skynyrd, suggested Gaines as a replacement for the group's departing guitarist. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Wilkeson would eventually be found dead in a hotel room in 2001 at age 49. I dont know who you think we are but we were on a plane and the plane crashed out there on the other side of that cow pasture. Mote instantly connected the dots to the sound he heard earlier and the men that lay before him. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. A little after an hour of trudging through a creek and at one point burrowing underneath a barbed wire fence they found themselves staring at a small, dim light in the distance. Rock Musician. Then on the other side, it was Allen in the middle of Dean and Cassie. 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. Oops, something didn't work. Less than a week after the release of the album, a plane carrying the band crashed into a Mississippi swamp, killing both Steve and Cassie Gaines, Van Zant, and band manager Dean Kilpatrick. Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone. Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History, Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., March 8, 2015, Steve and Cassie Gaines. Learn more about managing a memorial . Year should not be greater than current year. That was why we were doing it. Ronnie was the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. He suffered a heart attack while on break from tour. In June 2000, the graves of Van Zant and Steve Gaines were vandalized. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone.