Despite all the hustle and bustle of an MTSU football weekend, ol’ Hammerhead paused in tribute to the fallen Southern Rock warriors of Lynyrd Skynyrd.

It was 30 years ago today their plane crashed near McComb, Miss. Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines died and most of the band members were seriously injured when the plane ran out of fuel and crashed in a forest.

The crash was attributed to poor maintenance of the plane and the inattention of the flight crew. In the last three decades, countless rumors and tales have emerged about the accident. “

I think the crash was the end of the heyday of Southern Rock,” Hammerhead said in his usual melodramatic way.

Here’s some Web links about Skynyrd and the crash.  Click them to read more:

The official history of the band:

The band’s official site:

Neil Young vs. Skynyrd

NTSB accident report

About the crash

Newspaper account

Freebird

Feel free to add your own comments or memories.