Lynyrd Skynyrd is a southern rock band that formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The bands career was tragically interrupted on October 20, 1977, when a plane carrying the band crashed in Mississippi, killing lead vocalist and founding member Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist and vocalist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, Captain Walter McCreary, and First Officer William John Gray. The tragedy halted Lynyrd Skynyrds career until Van Zants brother Johnny reformed the band ten years later. Over the years, other founding members of the band have died either during or after their time in the band. Bassist Leon Wilkerson rejoined the band in 1987 but died in his sleep at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, in 2001. Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrds last surviving original member who also helped to found the group, died on March 6, 2023, at the age of 71. Despite these losses, Lynyrd Skynyrd continued to tour and record with co-founder Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, and Rickey Medlocke, who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 before his return in 1996. In January 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced its farewell tour, which continued until 2022.