The remains of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, two founding members of the 70s Southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be relocated to unmarked graves in the aftermath of the recent vandalizing of their Florida burial sites. He looked at life and music in a positive way, never taking his success for granted. She was buried near her children. It runs past the site of his last home, which is a quarter-mile down a modest rural lane just behind the camera. The band ended up recording a single for Stax Records in 1971. During this time, the band was in the midst of searching for a guitarist to replaceEd King, who left the band in mid-1975. Steve Gaines was born on September 14, 1949 in Miami, Oklahoma, USA. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Steve used a Fender Standard Stratocaster as his main guitar when playing with Lynyrd Skynyrd and can be seen in this source image with one from a live performance. "The family is extremely upset," Justino said. A remarkable singer and guitarist, Gaines may have had his initial inspiration from the Beatles. 10. Sept. 14, 1949 - Oct. 20, 1977. John Lennon: After he was shot in 1980, there was no funeral for the legendary Beatle. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Go get yourself a six-pack, kick back, and start reading. Embed from Getty Images. 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. Stiv Bators: One of punk rock's most important voices was Stiv Bators of the Dead Boys and the Lords of the New Church. It's disrespectful.". Bandmates Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines, along with assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray, . A listing name reads: "Two plots with vaults adjacent to the late Ronnie Van Zant.". Drummer Artimus Pyle said that it seemed Ronnie was aware of his imminent death when they were about to go down. He died in his sleep later than night. Gaines was cremated and his ashes were buried in Orange Park, Florida in 1977, but were relocated to an undisclosed location after vandals broke into his and bandmate Ronnie Van Zant's tombs on June 29, 2000. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any material without explicit, written permission from this blog/sites owner is strictly prohibited. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For more than 10 years, people have wondered where Jacksonville's own Lynyrd Skynyrd front man Ronnie Van Zant was buried. Due to the June 29th, 2000, vandalizing of his original grave site, his casket was moved here and buried in a massive underground concrete burial vault. To me, this was the most somber, heart-wrenching site on my entire trip. Copyright 2012-2022, Pat Fitzhugh; all rights reserved. Less than two years after the plane crash, the Gaines' mother, Cassie LaRue Gaines, was killed in an automobile accident near the cemetery where Steve and Cassie were buried. However, they had to relocate it to a new location after his and Van Zant's tombs were broken into. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Recorded in the renowned Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Gaines contributed four original compositions, two singles of his own, and two in collaboration with Van Zant. Next thing, her husband bolts through the front door and threatens Ronnie with his life. Steve Gaines, Cassie's younger brother, was 28. The guys were in shock and the car was silentwell, except for Allen Collins, who started muttering something to the effect of I was cuttin the rug down at a place called the jug. The rest is history. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. What reasoning is from general to specific? In 1977, the body of Steve Gaines was cremated and his ashes buried in Orange Park, Florida. Once you cross this bridge heading west, you are officially in Skynyrd Country. The Lynyrd Skynyrd historic sites will begin at Green Cove Springs (a few miles past this bridge), and extend north some 20 miles into Jacksonville. He was previously married to Teresa Gaines. After recovering, Leon revealed that he had been sitting on a cloud with Ronnie Van Zant and Duane Allman. On October 20, 1977, the band and the crew members were flying from Greenville, South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana when their plane crashed outside of Gillsburg in Mississippi. 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. Lynyrd Skynyrds Sweet Home Alabama meaning is often interpreted as being racist because of the the lyrics reference In Birmingham [where a black church was bombed killing 4 young girls] they love the governor [George Wallace ] who was a segregationist. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida . and help keep the future of the Houston Press, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. Musician. If you can't make the recordings, you can support us by donating. With an audience of approximately 150,000 and 200,000 people, Lynyrd Skynyrd delivered a performance that took the southern rock artiststo new heights. Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com. The gravesite is on the border of mall and cemetery property, an elaborate memorial of marble set off from the rest of the cemetery, with park benches, hedges and a large magnolia tree. 6. Her ashes were buried in the garden outside her bedroom window in Connecticut underneath a Japanese Maple Tree. When I think of Ronnie, I think of trains, probably due to the opening line of his masterpiece, Tuesdays Gone, and another song he penned, Railroad Song. If you really think about it, Ronnies entire life was analogous to a train. Van Zant openly disclosed his awe and admiration for Steve Gaines, even predicting that the other band members would all be in his shadow one day.. Their mausoleums remain as memorials for fans to visit. Ronnie Van Zant Ronnie was the lead singer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Van Zant's family decided to relocate his remains to Riverside Memorial Park cemetery in Jacksonville. Laura Nyro: Laura Nyro wrote songs for some of the most popular rock stars of all time before ovarian cancer claimed her in 1997. The bag containing Gaines' ashes was broken, and some were spilled. She was buried near her children. The Jaxson Not a train wreck, but a train. The secret was leaked through Craigslist. On October 20, 1977, three days after the albumStreet Survivorswas released (and five dates into the band's most successful tour yet), a plane carrying the band between shows fromGreenville, South CarolinatoBaton Rouge, Louisiana, crashed outside ofGillsburg, Mississippi. In 1988, MCA Records released the recordings from the session under the album titled One in the Sun. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. It was Steve Gainess only solo album. Some very odd things have occurred with famous ashes, so being the resident morbid person on staff, I've gathered those stories to present them to you. Sky Michele written and performed by Jake Fisher (MidniteliteCo) with a beautiful tribute and moving piece to Steve and Cassie Gaines. Can a leprechaun get away if you look at him? The site. The Van Zant family plot at Riverside Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. In 2000, nearly 23 years after Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were laid to rest at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, vandals broke in and disturbed their remains. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Cassie Gaines/Place of burial. The original mausoleum remains in place. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone. The plane landed in a swampy area and crashed into trees. Died: Band's plane wreck. Cassie was buried in Orange Park, Florida, together with her brother, Steve Gains. Thank you for signing up to the Rocks Off. ", The new burial sites, Justino said, "will not be disclosed for security reasons.". Ronnie grabbed a pillow from the back of the plane, walked back to his seat, and smiled at Pyle. "And at the family's request, the cemetery will pay off-duty officers to provide additional security as well for the next couple of weeks," she said. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. A story that the remaining ashes had been stolen from Courtney Love and were to be smoked in a spliff by Australian artist Natascha Stellmach turned out later to be a hoax. Clay County Sheriff's deputies found Van Zant's unopened casket on the ground about 3 a.m. at the rear of a marble mausoleum on the northern edge of the cemetery grounds next to the Orange Park Mall on Blanding Boulevard. Assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, the pilot, and co-pilot Walter McCreary and William Gray also died. He served with his predecessor at Bellevue and three-time SBC president, Adrian Rogers, on a committee charged with revising The Baptist Faith and Message. Steve Gaines_CROPPED.jpg. Today Gary Rossington is the last surviving member of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup. It sums up Ronnies life perfectly. Winehouse had her grandmother's name tattooed on her arm, and her ashes were mixed in with Cynthia's after cremation. The rest is history. Shortly after, he had started his first high school band, The Ravens. The ash remains of Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines' sister and a vocalist with the band, were undisturbed. 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. 5. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Last week, family members established a $5,000 Van Zant and Gaines Reward Fund at Oceanside Bank in Neptune Beach for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Ronnie attended Lee High School in Jacksonville with fellow band members Gary Rossington and Allen Collins. Gaines and Van Zant were 29 years old when they died in the 1977 plane crash. Members of the band party with friends in 1975. Both have since been moved to secret locations. local news and culture. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Steve Gaines: Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gaines was cremated and had his ashes housed not far from the gravesite of fellow Skynyrd member Ronnie Van Zant. Cassie began suggesting her brother for the role, but the band had hesitations. Ronnie Van Zant, the lead singer of Jacksonville rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd,is buried at Riverside Memorial Park on the Westside. Following her death in the 1977 plane crash, Gaines was buried just behind her brother Steve's grave in Jacksonville Memory Gardens. In June 2000, the graves of Van Zant and Steve Gaines were vandalized. He is widely known as the vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter of Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1976 to October 1977. Three days after the release of Street Survivors and five dates into their highest selling tour, a tragedy happened. Brooks & Dunn Boot Scoot Through 21st RodeoHouston Performance, Apes of the State Is Here to Defend Folk Punk, Opening Night RodeoHouston 2023: Parker McCollum, Become a member to support the independent voice of Houston "I hope the Lord will forgive them for what they have done.". Other fatalities included the band's road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and the pilot, and co-pilot of the aircraft. Steve Gaines grave site at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the Southern rock genre with songs such as Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. But the break-in at the mausoleum has left the family particularly shaken, Justino said. Where is Steve Gaines buried at? Register here, by continue you accept our Gaines died from blunt-force trauma to the head; he was 28 years old and likely was killed on impact. Gaines, along with Allen Collins and Gary Rossington (who later formed the Rossington Collins Band), came together for what is arguably the best guitar trio in rock music. Her mother, also named Cassie Gaines, and father Earl Gaines are buried in adjacent plots and memorialized on the same headstone. Train, roll on. TheJaxsonMag.com The mausoleums at Jacksonville Memorial Gardens in Orange Park will remain there as memorials to Van Zant and Gaines, the Clay County, Fla., Sheriffs office told the Associated Press. He was the oldest son of six children (3 sisters and 2 brothers - musicians Donnie and Johnny). The pair shared vocals on the song You Got That Right.. Others sustained grave injuries but otherwise survived the accident (via Taste of Country). Everybody Knows The Words, But What Is Hotel California About? He died on October 20, 1977 in the plane crash that also took the lives of Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. How many children does Steve Gaines have? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He is most well known as a guitarist and songwriter forsouthern rockbandLynyrd Skynyrd, and is the younger brother ofCassie Gaines, who was a back up vocalist for the band's live performances. Ronnie Van Zant, however, brushed it off and said: "Hey if the Lord wants you to die on this plane, when it's your time, it's your time. As the astonished band members quickly drove away, no one said a word. King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. The Surprising Thing Ronnie Van Zant Is Buried With. Mausoleums, however, will remain at the Blanding Boulevard cemetery as memorials to the two musicians who died in a November 1977 plane crash, along with three road crew members. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't busy with their music, Van Zant's go-to activity was fishing. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. Cochran said he's been trying to see the lot for a couple of months now. Pat Fitzhugh - Author / Researcher / Paranormal Adventurer. Prior to the show, members of the band told the sound technician that, Cassies brother is going to come up and play with us, if he does not have the level, unplug him.. Votes" polls, earn exclusive profile badges and claim your Rocks Off Mag merch! Steve Gaines (1949 1977) joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in May 1976. The band released the album on October 17, 1977, soon becoming gold certified. When Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't busy with their music, Van Zant's go-to activity was fishing. When the plane crashed, Ronnie Van Zant instantly died due to blunt force trauma to his head. Throughout the 1970s, Steve Gaines played in bands such as ILMO Smokehouse from Quincy, Il, and Detroit. This was reflected in his sole studio album with the band, Street Survivors (1977). The corner of Woodcrest and Mull streets, on Jacksonvilles West Side. Arguably one of the most significant neighborhoods in musical history. The final resting place of backup singer Cassie Gaines (Steves sister) and their parents, at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. Initially, the band members did not expect a lot from Gaines. However, he had his own vision and in 1974 formed his own band, Crawdad. Arguably the first true Southern rock group, the Allman Brothers Band, formed following a jam at a Riverside home known as the Gray House. These alleged sightings also happened at Lake Delancy, one of Ronnie's favored fishing spots. Their mausoleums remain as memorials for fans to visit. . After his and Van Zants graves were damaged by vandals in 2000, Gaines family reportedly removed his ashes to a private location. Steve Gaines, the 28-year-old guitarist so full of promise that Van Zant once claimed the band would "all be in his shadow one day," was buried along with his sister Cassie on October 23rd . This school building is Hyde Park Elementary, where Ronnie Van Zant and some other band members attended when they were kids. The Jaxson is produced by Modern Cities in association with WJCT. "I used that as a segue to try to sell the lots because it was right next to the people, so I thought, 'OK, somebody might be interested in it just because of that reason,'" Cochran said of why he mentioned Van Zant's burial site in the listing. Present-day Skynyrd band members, including Johnny Van Zant, have been spotted there, as have former members of .38 Special, Molly Hatchet, and all those other famous Jacksonville bands. Ronnie Van Zant often proclaimed that Whiteys Fish Camp was his favorite restaurant. Whiteys Fish Camp. Download Image. His first band recorded its debut at Sun Recording Studio in Memphis, and later bands included RIO Smokehouse and Rusty Day. Published on August 28, 1998 12:00 AM. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Gaines was born inSeneca, Missouri, and raised inMiami, Oklahoma. Cassie Gaines Lynard Skynyrd plane crash was one of the band's most challenging moments. Cassie convinced him to drive to Kansas City from his small farm just outside West Seneca, Oklahoma. He obtained his first guitar at about age 14. fishing, seafood, and live music. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Our content aims to be informative and entertaining, often discussing the lesser-known moments in history. When you buy via the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Born Steven Earl Gaines, the son of Cassie Hatfield and Earl Gaines. privacy policy. We would be grateful if you would support our work by recording your loved ones, preserving their memory for future generations. The Outlaws and Ghosts of The NatchezTrace, Movie Trailer: The Mark of the BellWitch, "From Turkey Creek A Memoir" Fan Page on Facebook, "Ghostly Cries From Dixie" Fan Page on Facebook, "MORE Ghostly Cries From Dixie" Fan Page on Facebook, "The Bell Witch: The Full Account" Fan Page on Facebook, "The Outlaws and Ghosts of The Natchez Trace" Fan Page on Facebook. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. 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. Don't have an account yet? Ronnie Van Zant (1948 1977), born on Woodcrest Street in Westside Jacksonville, was the frontman and founder of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Steven Earl Gaines was an American musician. "We were lucky that they were not able to pry open the casket. In 2000, nearly 23 years after Van Zant and. This is that day. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Ronnie Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida. Original grave of Steve Gaines Their mausoleums remain as memorials for fans to visit. He is best known as a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter with rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1976 until his death in the October 1977 airplane crash that claimed other band members and crew. Van Zant himself realized that Steve Gaines was bringing about a rebirth of the band. A plane that had problems the previous year. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. Please enter the adress associated with your account. A block up Woodcrest from the Van Zant house is the former Woodcrest Grocery, where Ronnie worked as a kid and also sat out front listening to older men (including Shorty Medlocke, Rickys father) play and sing the blues. Johnny's widow Linda has his actual remains in her keeping. The Van Zant family plot at Riverside Memorial Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida. Leon Wilkeson, the band's bassist, is buried right across from Van Zant and his family. "Their remains were moved sometime over the weekend. Gaines theology is best described as conservative and evangelical.Steve Gaines (pastor). What characteristics allow plants to survive in the desert? Let's go, man. In June 2000, the graves of Van Zant and Steve Gaines were vandalized. He has been in the band from day one and his six-string slinging has been featured on every one of the bands releases. "At least preliminarily it looks like a very small amount of the cremains may have spilled out of the bag when they pulled it from the urn.". I really wish I lived next door to this place. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How old was Steven Gaines when he played guitar? The mother was buried near . How many times should a shock absorber bounce? Dee Dee has a proper grave, but Johnny sports a cenotaph as a memorial marker for fans to visit. The Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park is on Highway 17 near Green Cove Springs, Florida. Southern rock was born in Jacksonville in the 1960s as a new fusion of rock, blues progressions, and a heavy dose of Southern grit. Cause of Death. "The family has said they need a day or two to decide whether or not they want to put the casket back in [the original mausoleum], with additional security, bury it somewhere else on the property, marked or unmarked, or move it to another burial site," Justino said. The band had been looking for a new third guitar player to replace departed member Ed King, and gave Gaines an audition at the suggestion of his older sister Cassie. According to Louder Sound, a lot of people claimed to have seen a figure dressed in black holding a yellow fishing pole the same color that Ronnie was buried with. In December of 1975, Cassie Gaines, Steves older sister, was inducted into Lynyrd Skynyrds The Honkettes, a group of female singers who sang backup vocals for the band. Powell's nose had been nearly ripped from his face after crashing head first through a table. We've got a gig to do." It happens. Rocks Off is a digital collection of stories, articles, and music. Security manager Gene Odom was seriously burned on his arm and face and lost the sight in one eye as a result of an emergency flare on board the plane that was activated during the crash. In 1964, when he was just fifteen, he went to see the Beatles live in concert in Kansas City. Although the band themselves couldn't hear Steve's playing onstage, soundman Kevin Elson was listening through headphones and told the band that Steve was an outstanding player. A fish that dies naturally in the ocean sinks to the depths, taking with it all the carbon it contains. "I hope they [the vandals] get help, because they have to be twisted to do what they did," Morris said. However, they had to relocate it to a new location after his and Van Zants tombs were broken into. (1964) and Surfari (1967). Recently, I explored some of the strange things that musicians have been buried with. The rock star is buried at Riverside Memorial Park,according to WJXT-TV. Cassie and Steve Gaines were buried in Orange Park, Florida. Musician. The intruders may have been frightened off by the first deputy who arrived on the scene shortly after someone telephoned the Sheriff's Office about 3 a.m. and reported hearing unusual noises coming from the cemetery. Steve Gaines' Death - Cause and Date. He dined there often, and the place was only a stones throw from his last home, just off nearby Brickyard Road. In a conversation with Gene Odom, the bands security manager, Van Zant told him, that Steve Gaines is the best thing to ever happen to this band., On October 13, 1977, the band departed on a tour in their old plane to support and promote their new album. It was on the original dock that Ronnie Van Zant would sit and fish, swat at alligators, and come up with the lyrics to the bands most famous songs. He was the lead vocal in the song Aint No Good Life. But its songs like That Smell, I Know A Little (written before he joined Skynyrd), and Honky Tonk Night Time Man where he displays his remarkable guitar playing. "Investigators said it's unlikely anybody could have broken it with their fist or foot. Johnny Ramone: Half of the original Ramones are laid to rest in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery sort of. Steve Gaines, Septembe. He was 29 yeas old. A few months later, Gaines was invited to join the band for the production of their live album, One More from the Road. At 1:30 p.m., Steve and Cassie Gaines' childhood street in Miami, Circle Drive, will be co-named Gaines Drive in their honor. The group ended up recording at the well-known Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. He joined the band for their performance of T-For Texas, (Blue Yodel #1) by Jimmie Rodgers in Kansas City, Missouri at the Municipal Auditorium. The remains of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, two founding members of the '70s Southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, will be relocated to unmarked graves in the aftermath of the recent . King left in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. Judy Jenness, Van Zant's widow, announced the decision in a statement issued through the Clay County Sheriff's Office yesterday. Don't worry! The relocation was prompted by a June 29 break-in at the crypts for Van Zant and Gaines at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, where fans had gathered to pay tribute to the band for more than 22 years. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Although initially reluctant, the band relented and on May 11, 1976 Steve joined Skynyrd on stage for one song. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For more than 10 years, people have wondered where Lynyrd Skynyrd front man Ronnie Van Zant was buried. . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Along with another compilation of live recordings with Detroit and Crawdad released as a CD titled Okie Special. . His proficiency in rock, blues, and country music, as well as his desire to widen his scope and vision, may have led to significant pieces of work in the future. 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. His guitar-picking and songwriting skills were a major revelation to the band, as proven on his one studio album, 1977'sStreet Survivors. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Get even more exclusive content on my Patreon page:https://www.patreon.com/RNRTrueStoriesToday we take a look at the 2000 news story. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. As his family returned back home, he pleaded with his father until he bought him his own guitar. Theirmausoleumsremain as memorials for fans to visit. And, as one might guess, the lake where Ronnie kept his fishing boat is just to the left. His experience in the field spans nearly four decades. 28 years. "I think it's wrong, totally wrong. 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. 8. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 7. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. They didn't leave until around 4 p.m., 12 hours later. Cassie Gaines (1948 1977) joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1975 as a backup singer, one of a trio of gospel vocalists dubbed the Honkettes. A bit of an old soul who enjoys a good hit of nostalgia! I always felt that Ronnie belonged to his fans but I never thought anyone would do something like this to his resting place.". Family members gathered at the cemetery yesterday morning but declined to discuss the incident with reporters. Born (Birthday) Sep 14, 1949. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. To complete the sign up process please verify your email address by clicking on the link that has been sent to you previously speficifed email.