The release of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Street Survivors" in October 1977 catapulted the band to the top and established them as one of the most successful bands of the 1970s.
However, three days after its release the band was at the center of a tragic plane crash.
It was October 20, 1977. Lynyrd Skynyrd boarded the Convair CV-300, the plane that would take them to Louisiana for the sixth concert of their tour.
Suddenly, shortly before takeoff, the plane's twin engines shut down as it ran out of fuel. Despite the pilots' last-ditch efforts to land it, it crashed in a wooded area, killing the pilots and 3 band members.
Singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, singer Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick and two pilots Walter Mc Creary and William Gray were killed instantly while the rest of the band and crew were seriously injured.
Drummer Artimus Pyle and 2 crew members crawled under the wreckage and walked through a swampy area of the forest until they found a villager whom they sent to call for help.
MCA Records, out of respect for the deceased members of the band, withdrew the original album cover which depicted the band members in flames.
Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded after the tragedy, but reunited in 1987 with Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle, Ed King and Ronnie's younger brother Johnny Van Zant on lead vocals.