Lynyrd Skynyrd Shorts Episode 5 Billy Powell Describes the Plane Crash

[@davidrice3337]

Billy had issues like all of us do - I know this - Billy Powell's music had an enormous affect on me and I absolutely appreciate him - I love Billy - Hope to tell him this upstairs as I strap on my guitar , nod my head - "2, 3, 4 .."

[@gtrfletch]

In many ways, Billy's sound was the Skynyrd signature but was sometimes subtle. Much like Roy Bittan was the Springsteen sound, you just didnt realize it!

[@Spitnchicklets]

Loved Billies playing, one of the reasons LS was so successful

[@gtrfletch]

Things Goin On and Tuesdays Gone really showcased him and what would Sweet Home Alabama be without Billy? Seriously. He was part of Ronnies formula...

[@GeoffreyGoodridge-oe6we]

On the VH-1 special, “Lynyrd Skynyrd Civil Wars,” Billy stated Cassie Gaines died in his and Artimus arms from a gash that was “ear to ear!” We’ve all told a tale or two in our time, but what would possess him to tell an out right lie like that! CRAZY! He later recanted that statement because Artimus raised hell about it! That’s on the show also! Then there’s Artimus, fact is he never had any rib injuries, let alone ribs sticking out! Billy and Artimus told that fable! Then Artimus told the one where he was accidentally shot when he encountered the land owners! Another whopper! According to those people and the official record, documented by law enforcement, Artimus walked away without injury! This has been explained by Gene many times and is a matter of public record! Why in situations as tragic as this do people outright lie! What’s the upside?! I just find it mind boggling! Saw them twice in 76 in Los Angeles, and loved this band so much! Just very disappointing to have seen the issues that arose from this whole thing because of greed and outright dishonesty!

[@gtrfletch]

I agree but I also do not blame anyone from trying to make money. Look at how much money the tribute band has made! And Gene? He charges for every interview he gives. Whatever. I have lost respect for him after the last one when he stood on Gary's grave and dissed him. Ugly.

[@rockinthe904]

I have that Rolling Stone in a frame on my wall. It was published on my birthday day!

[@gottadomor7438]

@R94: I remember waiting - & waiting - for that RS to come out. Long before anybody ever even heard of the, "interwebs", had to wait for a rock&roll publication an in-depth report. The local media sources, "just another news story" and then forgotten.

[@gtrfletch]

Me too. The local rag had about a paragraph. In those days, Rolling Stone was where I got my news. I played the hell out of Street Survivors during those days and nights.

[@garyeaton8773]

Hey guys I love the videos! I have a question? Where can I get the Van Zant photo album book at?

[@gtrfletch]

I have thought about scanning it and posting it but we will do some more episodes on different chapters upcoming

[@garytrew2766]

The right side engine had been giving trouble before. I dont know if they ran it rich to keep it running or what. But I remember an interview of Gary's where he said they leaked gas all the way out west. Thanks guys for a great video.

[@gtrfletch]

And running the engines too rich will burn thru fuel as well. It seems obvious that there were many factors involved here. The most incredible thing is how many survived this tragedy.

[@gottadomor7438]

RVZ every show before one of the keyboard solos: "Billy Powell on PEE-An-No." Oh but I do love Lynyrd Skynrd ... Signed, A northerner* w/ a southern heart. * Actually a PacificNW-er now, but formerly just north.

[@peterbilt-bo1vy]

Glad to know you love Lynyrd Skynyrd. RIP LYNYRD SKYNYRD!!! ✌️❤️🎸🦅🇺🇲 GOD BLESS AMERICA!!! ✝️🙏💟🕊️🇺🇲

[@gtrfletch]

thanks for that. You did not have to live in the South or even the US to love Skynyrd. It is a worldwide, universal thing.

[@rrrttt1112]

Billy sold Marc Frank short, as he claims he went with Artimus and Ken to get help.

[@gtrfletch]

Interesting. I like this account because it is so fresh.

[@raleighthomas3079]

Billy also claimed that Cassie died in his arms…. bled to death. She actually died instantly from a broken neck.

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Have you guys ever seen the color pictures from the plane crash? They're online if you google them. One thing I've always wanted to know was how was Steve Gaines acting during the flight. Artemis has said everyone was quiet and stuff like that but honestly I think Artemis has fluctuated so many times over the years that I take everything he says with a massive grain of salt. Also the same goes for Gene Odom. It just seems like we'll literally never truly know.

[@gtrfletch]

That is why I believe they account from Billy powell because it was just after the crash.

[@davidrice3337]

Gene hasn't changed his story one bit

[@2xrpm]

Genes story has never varied one bit.

[@70brine]

The plane had a lot more issues than just gas or lack of.

[@gtrfletch]

So many stories about that thing. Wish they had just taken the bus....

[@davidrice3337]

Arty's hometown is Louisville Ky but he did live in South Carolina growing up - and yes he may have been the reason they waited + but you can bet your ass he was scoring for the band as much as he was himself - if Ronnie wasnt ok with it they would have left him

[@gtrfletch]

I think that no one seriously connected with Skynyrd blames Artimus. I have met him and he loved his band. Things happen and God knows there were multiple issues with that plane.

[@davidcoleman4291]

The ntsb said there was less than a quart of fuel in each engine SIMPLY ran out of full

[@gtrfletch]

and the mystery is WHY

[@davidcoleman4291]

@@gtrfletch mystery is why the good Lord wanted them that day, ronnie's long desire to get out of shanty town and Steve Gaines short life time to find his place in the sun. Have yall seen the picture from the air of the crash site, unbelievable the trees are X shaped , with the actual crash site smack dabb in middle u no like X marks the spot

[@raleighthomas3079]

They idled the engines for over an hour, waiting for Artemis to show up. 10 more minutes flying would have saved them. Do the math.

[@frozendivots1564]

If the plane idled for so long that it burned too much fuel, that’s still not on Artimus. That’s on the pilots. If that’s what really happened…

[@gtrfletch]

So many theories and no known truth except that our guys are lost.

[@googleusergp]

The official NHTSA report stated that there was only a quart or so of fuel present, and there was no fire because the fuel had been consumed. The name of the band you didn't remember was Vision, and it was a Christian band.

[@gtrfletch]

I actually saw them in Memphis. Did not really pay much attention. I was chasing a girl, last name Sexton is all I remember, and we went. I had not idea what I was seeing...at old moviehouse on Highland strip.

[@davidrice3337]

I saw Billy on the 700 Club the same day the Space Shuttle blew up

[@gtrfletch]

Wow, interesting. He reaffirmed his religion and ran with it. I think that is just a part of the bands culture including friends, family and their God. Sweet

[@raybassman7536]

The article was a week after the crash? Hardly. How about the crash was Oct, 20th.

[@gtrfletch]

The interview was just a week or so after the crash. Rolling Stone was always about a month behind in publication. My mistake, if I did not clarify.

[@sweeetguitar4006]

The name of the Christian band that Billy and Leon was in was called: Vision… ( i think )

[@gtrfletch]

He signed the wall backstage at the Bull Shotte on Highland AVenue when they played there. I wasnt around when it got tore down but I would love to have that piece of drywall...

[@Spitnchicklets]

Artie was not the reason, let’s play was so screwed up they were checking the fuel level with a stick!!!

[@gtrfletch]

Yeah, sadly, the list of problems was too long to list. Blaming and pointing fingers is not for me.

[@davidcoleman4291]

Believe it was called official fuel exhaustion by the pilots not knowing how much fuel that had

[@josephbrown7416]

I remember fuel issues with one engine and had been jetted up to richen the mixture. We all know idling is richer.

[@peterbilt-bo1vy]

I read a comment somewhere that said the fuel sensor was malfunctioning too. IDK.

[@gtrfletch]

ONe of the earliest rumours was that they tried to cut off fuel to the bad engine and accidentally dumped the fuel from the good engine. Who knows.

[@keithkellogg5325]

Pyle didn’t get him up common guys it was Odem Gene

[@gtrfletch]

Who knows? It seems that everything Money Gene says is not the gospel as well. Memories change over the years and money definitely has played a role. Remember Gene pissed on Gary's grave. Can never forgive that one....

[@paolovincent6800]

The guys sell Artimus out.. he did run into Ronnie before the plane crashed... sad

[@gtrfletch]

Hard to know the truth about such an awful event. I have met Artimus and he is sincere and seems to be a great guy. No doubt he and Ronnie were close.

[@joehuinker7009]

That Artimus movie is bullshit

[@keithkellogg5325]

Billy tells lies you guys should know the truth but you guys don’t even know what happened.Pyle never had ribs sticking out he never even had one broke bone

[@gtrfletch]

And Artimus has said that. We were just reading the Rolling Stone story published immediately after the crash. There is a radio interview that Artimus did a week after the crash where he kinda says the same thing, really no broken bones. He also said the band would get together again but would never call itself Lynyrd SKynyrd.