Posted on 10/20/2012 9:51:00 AM PDT by Kid Shelleen
This Saturday marks the anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies in rock and roll; it’s been 35 years since the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd on its 1977 ill-named “Tour of the Survivors” went down in the Louisiana swamps, taking the lives of singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, backup singer Cassie.
To this day, the fault of the crash is still unknown, wrapped in rumor and conjecture. Whether it was pilot error or plane malfunction, the undisputable fact remains that one of the most talented bands to come out of the United States was snuffed out when it was entering its prime.
(Excerpt) Read more at delcotimes.com ...
I was a little young for the Electric Factory. The only concert I ever saw at the Mann was the Philadelphia Orchestra. I loved the Tower and saw many great shows there—The Dead, Steven Stills, America, Spyrogyra, Guess Who and others. We’d take the bus to 69th Street, stop at the Balcony for “supplies,” then go to the show. Also at the Spectrum I saw AC/DC, Blue Oyster Cult, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, the Outlaws and Molly Hatchet, U2, and others. I was also in JFK for Live Aid in 85. I haven’t lived there in many years, but I have many great memories of The Spectrum, the Tower, and the Vet. In fact, l9 years ago tonight we were in the Vet for Game 4 of the World Series. Phils lost to Toronto l5-14.
I remember going to the Electric Factory to see Steppenwolf. The warm-up act was a new unknown piano player from England, doing his first U.S. gig. Dressed in just a pair of white coveralls. He played the piano, literally, until his fingers bled. The crowd wouldn’t let him off the stage, and I’m sure Steppenwolf was sitting backstage, collectively P.O.’ed. That was the first time I ever heard of ELTON JOHN, and the rest is history.
I almost forgot.
That last piece was in Russian. Here’s what he’s saying -
O rocks majestic
With a roar the waves shatter themselves
And with white foam, turn and flee back.
But the hard grey rocks handle the waves,
Above the sea they stand.
These stony rocks are like, to us Vikings, our bones.
The wavy sea runs in us like our blood,
While our secretive thoughts are like the fog.
We, in the sea were born, in the sea will die.
Swords heavy, arrows sharp have the Vikings.
They bring the enemy death without missing.
Brave people in the countries of the half-night,
Their great god Odin thunders the sea.
“Here’s what he’s saying -”
Bruce Dickinson, similar metaphor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shfZzTJYZWs
I figure “Sweet Home Alabama” would be suitable for my wake because, after all, “Lord, I’m comin’ home to you.”
But, “Freebird” could work, too.
I love that suggestion. I've been a huge Skynyrd fan since I saw them back in '76. Other choices for the assembled: Simple Man and I Know a Little (that'll get 'em dancing).
Thanks, Foucault’s Pendulum.
I also found this one with 2.3 million hits:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHx7vaa9Fwo
I recently heard Artimus Pyle call into a radio show, he said he ran to get help after the crash and the farmer whose place he stumbled upon actually shot him in the shoulder. He said he was covered in blood, and looked like a member of the Manson family, and didn’t blame the young kid too much. The person who shot him was a young man who was a fan, and worried that if his neighbors found out he shot Skynard’s drummer after the band’s plane went down he would be lynched.
I had never heard that part of it before.
Freegards
Hell I don’t even know you and I’m rolling my eyes.....
Haha! There is something about that music which transcends for so many people still.
One More From The Road is one of the greatest live rock albums ever.
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