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..........In July 1976 Lynyrd Skynyrd released their first live album entitled "One More From The Road". Not having to go into the Recording Studio gave them a chance to look for the elusive third guitarist they needed. They found the answer in The Honkettes, a female gospel band. Lynyrd Skynyrd had toured with this group of Gospel singers, and Cassie Gaines, a member of this group, made plans for her brother to play, even before he was introduced to the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. His name was Steve Gaines. But it seems Cassie forgot to tell him! His familiarity with the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band had influenced Crawdaddy, the band he was in. One of the songs they performed was Saturday Night Special. While Steve was surprised at this turn of events, his guitar-playing ability soon had Ronnie Van Zant and the rest of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band in shock themselves. At the age of 26, Steve Gaines was already a veteran in the music industry, and it showed when he stepped on the stage to jam to T for Texas.

It was the influence of Allen Collins that eventually landed Steve Gaines the job, and he was called two weeks later to accompany the band to Myrtle Beach, NC for a gig. Following this concert, the band began rehearsing for the live album concert. They only had a month before this concert, but it was all they needed. "One More From the Road" is truly a Lynyrd Skynyrd Band classic. Lynyrd Skynyrd then went to the Knebworth Festival in Great Britain to play. They stole the show from another group of long-hairs (and lips) known as The Rolling Stones. Even though they had some problems, when "One More From the Road" was finally released, it climbed to the Top 10 level in no time, and went to Gold and Platinum Record status. This elevated them into the upper echelon of the music business. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band had finally made it! Lynyrd Skynyrd again entered the studio to record their next album, but they were not satisfied with it. They again hit the road to tour, playing with such artists as Santana, Frampton and "The Outlaws".

The newly found prestige was well accepted and earned. Shortly after the end of the tour, they again went into the Miami Recording Studios -- only to find Tom Dowd unavailable. However, he sent a replacement, Barry Rudolph, to fill in. Rudolph's previous recording experience with Waylon Jennings was well received, and the band was able to re-do You Got That Right and That Smell. Tom Dowd did not return to finish the project, and if you look, you'll see there are no producer credits on the album. The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band released "Street Survivors" in October 1977. It was only 3 days later that the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band's private jet ran out of fuel and crashed in a wooded area near McComb, Mississippi as it attempted to land. Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and Dean Kilpatrick were all killed instantly. The remaining band members were also injured, but survived the ordeal.

The Lynyrd Skynyrd Band was the premiere Southern Rock band that had yet to reach their pinnacle.

We can only dream of what they might have done...

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