Lynyrd Skynyrd - Street Survivors - Released October 17, 1977

This is their 5th studio album.

This probably the saddest story in this series.  

on October 20th, just 3 days after this record was released, Skynyrd's chartered plane ran our of fuel and crashed northeast of Gillsburg Mississippi. Ronnie Van Ant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray were killed on impact. 

Without going too deep into this tragedy, earlier in '77 Aerosmith almost purchased the plane, but their management were not impressed with the initial tour or the staff that manned it.  The final straw came when they allegedly witnessed the pilot and co-pilot pass a bottle of Jack Daniels back and forth in the cockpit.

The plane would pass Skynyrd's manager, Peter Rudge's inspection even after several obvious issues. The price was reduced and he saw a deal to good to pass up. Ironically, Rudge should have been on that plane that day, but he opted for a 1st class ticket on a commercial airline because he was needed at the next concert location earlier than Skynyrd would be arriving. 

Before getting on that ill-fated flight, Ronnie is quoted as saying "Hey, if the Lord wants you to die on this plane when it's your time, it's your time.  Let's go, Man. We've got a gig to do."

The original cover was changed and the flames were removed out of respect for the members and their families.