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**As Merle Haggard's 'I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am' played, Ronnie was laid to rest with his trademark Texas Hatters black hat and favorite fishing pole. Ronnie was memorialized with a simple, ten minute private service under cloudy skies in Orange Park, Florida surrounded by 150 close friends and family. Following a taped recording of David Allen Coe's 'Another Pretty Country Song', Charlie Daniels sang 'Amazing Grace'. Standing in front of the rose-covered brass coffin, minister David Evans, who had recently performed Gary's wedding, led the mourners with the message that Ronnie was not dead; that he lived on in heaven in spirit and on earth in song.
There are many rock and roll bands that boast great players, many that boast great singers and many that boast great songs. Rare are the bands that can be said to have a true soul -- a musical and emotional spirit in everything they do, which is in a very real sense larger than the band itself. Lynyrd Skynyrd, which has sold over 30 million albums worldwide is a band with a soul -- a soul which has been reborn in a new decade.
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This was a publicity shot taken in Jacksonville, Florida during the summer of 1973.
Appearing left to right are: Bob Burns, Ed King, Allen Collins, Billy Powell, Ronnie Van Zant, Leon Wilkeson and Gary Rossington.
In 1976 the Honkettes, a female backup group consisting of Jo Jo Billingley, Leslie Hawkins and Cassie Gaines, became part of the Skynyrd entourage. In that year, the band also restored their trademark three guitar line-up with the addition of Steve Gaines, Cassie's brother. Just a few weeks after Steve joined the band, Skynyrd recorded its first live album, "One More From the Road."
"One More From the Road" entered the Top 10 and soon went platinum. Their next album, "Street Survivor" was released on October 7, 1977 and became the first Skynyrd album to be certified gold upon release. Thought to be their most popular album yet, the "Tour of the Survivors" was scheduled. Skynyrd was to headline at Madison Square Garden as part of this tour fulfilling a life long dream of Ronnie and the band's.
On October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd's private 1947 Convair 240 turbo prop plane ran out of gas and crashed in a forest near McComb, Mississippi. Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick and Ronnie Van Zant were killed instantly. Ironically, the accident brought the band more national publicity than ever before.
ŠThe Freebird Foundation, Inc.
This was taken in August 1977
This band started out as a dream... then it came true. I found myself sleeping and dreaming my life away when suddenly I woke up and it was all real. So, we're back with the ONLY people who can carry on this dream for the DREAMERS. "If I really am sleeping... I pray I don't wake up again!" says Gary Rossington. 
NEWS FLASH~!
Ronnie's daughter Melody has given birth!
Born at 7:53pm on August 1st,2000
Weighed:5 lbs and 13ozs
Length: 19 1/2"
~*~Introducing Aria Ronni Marion~*~
"A brief candle - both ends burning
An endless mile, a buswheel turning
A friend to share a lonesome time
A handshake and a sip of wine
Say it loud and let it ring
That we're all part of everything
The future, present, and the past
Fly on Proud Bird, You're Free At Last."
~Charlie Daniels, October 1977~
On May 29,1998 Governor Fob James presented Lynyrd Skynyrd with a proclamation.
It was stated that May 29 was now officially "Lynyrd Skynyrd Day" in the state of Alabama. 
Dixie PeachThe FREEBIRD FoundationJim Crowley's Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
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