Lynyrd Skynyrd ( ) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s with songs such as " Sweet Home Alabama " and " Free Bird " . It formed in Jacksonville , Florida , in 1964 under the name My Backyard with original members Ronnie Van Zant ( vocals ) , Gary Rossington ( guitar ) , Allen Collins ( guitar ) , Larry Junstrom ( bass guitar ) and Bob Burns ( drums ) . The band spent five years touring small venues under a variety of different names and with several lineup changes before finally deciding on " Lynyrd Skynyrd " in 1969 . The band released their first album in 1973 , having settled on a lineup that included bassist Leon Wilkeson and former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King . Burns would later be replaced by Artimus Pyle and King by Steve Gaines . Ronnie Van Zant , Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines were killed in an airplane crash on October 20 , 1977 , putting an abrupt end to the 1970s era of the band
airplane crash on October 20 , 1977
1977 Mississippi CV-240 crash
Lynyrd Skynyrd