Together with guitarist Allen Collins, he co-wrote many of the band's hit songs to include "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Saturday Night Special," and "Free Bird." Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. The widow of Ronnie Van Zant, the late lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has confirmed to News4JAX that his final resting place has been moved to a new location in the same cemetery. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Van Zant's resting place was moved after his gravesite was vandalized, but nobody knew where, until Thursday. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? He was buried in the western part of Riverside Memorial Park, across Normandy Boulevard from where Van Zants remains would eventually be relocated. Artimus Pyle claims that when they were about to go down, Ronnie was aware of his imminent death. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. We have set your language to The band is best known for their hits Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. Van Zant died in a plane crash in 1977, but the band has continued to tour and release albums over the years. At the time of his death in 1977, he had a net worth of $2 million. Following his burial, he was laid to rest in a different family plot. Leon Wilkeson was found bleeding profusely from his throat on the groups tour bus after being attacked. He rested there peacefully for 23 years,. Melody and I were never happy with this spot, Judy Van Zant continued. Original tomb of Ronnie Van Zant. Bandmates Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines, along with assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray, were also killed. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Don Barnes has been the bands guitarist since 2019, joined by Bobby Capps on keyboard/vocalist, Gary Moffatt on drums, and Jerry Riggs on bass. Follow Chris on Instagram at fearless_specialist and contact Bill at wdelaney@moderncities.com. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronnie Van Zant I found on Findagrave.com. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Her auntie Jane told her that she had died a few hours earlier. There was a problem getting your location. His family decided to move him to Riverside Memorial Park, about 6 minutes away from the. He subsequently played in a variety of bands, and in 2005 he rejoined Molly Hatchet. They all perished along with their assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary . Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. It is also patrolled by security."[12]. Add to your scrapbook. On. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. If you need help with WJXTs or WCWJ's FCC public inspection file, call (904) 393-9801. Following the unexpected death of his wife Kathy Collins in 1980, Collins behavior became erratic and the band broke up in 1982. 28 January 2022. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Ronnie Van Zant. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. In 1998, the widow Van Zant posted Ronnie's autopsy on Lynyrd Skynyrd's website to prove the truth of his injuries. Celebrities Who Died in Plane and Helicopter Crashes, The Rock Road Claims Another Tragic Victim: Ronnie Van Zant of the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band, The Skynyrd Tragedy Behind Them, Rossington Collins Now Plays 'Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere', Remembering the 59 Slain Victims of the Las Vegas Concert Massacre, 3 Years Later, Heaven's Gate, 25 Years Later: Remembering 38 People Who Died with Cult Leader. (The two musicians were killed in a 1977 plane crash.) Oops, we were unable to send the email. View Source Suggest Edits Memorial Photos Flowers Created by: mouse Find a Grave Memorial ID: 241555551 Source citation Tom Wills joined Channel 4 in 1975 and has co-anchored Jacksonville's highest-rated evening newscasts for more than 40 years. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. He died in 2016 of complications from cancer, and is buried in Riverside Memorial Park along with many other members of the Van Zant family. The band's rise to prominence began in 1973 with the release of their debut album, (Pronounced 'Lh-'nrd 'Skin-'nrd), which had a string of hits that included "I Ain't the One", "Tuesday's Gone", "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man", and what became their signature, "Free Bird", later dedicated to the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The Movie).[4]. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. Family members linked to this person will appear here. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. His third album, Feels Like Freedom, got some attention on the country radio circuit and produced two singles. He was buried in Riverside Memorial Park, across Memorial Park Road from the graves of Ronnie Van Zant and Leon Wilkeson. Together with guitarist Allen Collins, he co-wrote many of the band's hit songs to include The Ballad of Curtis Loew, Sweet Home Alabama, Mr. Saturday Night Special, and Free Bird. Dave Hlubek (1951 2017) was lead guitarist and founder of the Jacksonville band Molly Hatchet. TheJaxsonMag.com Fans will be permitted to continue visiting this site to pay their respects. On June 29, Van Zants tomb and Gainess mausoleum were broken into. The theft of Van Zants body has left many questions unanswered. The band also gained exposure when they were selected as the opening act for the US portion of The Who's Quadrophenia tour. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. On. Though health issues precluded him from playing in all shows in the last few years of his life, he remained active in the band until his death. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. "[7] Van Zant's father, Lacy, said, "He said to me many times, 'Daddy, I'll never be 30 years old.' Esther Van Zant, Ron Van Zants widow, told News4JAX that the final resting place of her late husband was relocated to a different cemetery in the same cemetery. Ronnie Van Zant. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. A $22,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the culprits has been posted, says the sheriff. Weve updated the security on the site. Due to the June 29th, 2000, vandalizing of his original grave site, his casket was moved here and buried in a massive underground concrete burial vault. The couple had a daughter, Tammy, before divorcing in 1969; Tammy would become a musician. Retrieved from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute\u0026Search_String=\u0026URL=0400-0499/0497/Sections/0497.384.html Wills, Tom. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. No copyright infringement was intended, but if any content owners would like me to amend the Works Cited reference to credit you please reach out.Business email: theappalachianson@gmail.com Copyright 2022 The Appalachian Son. How old was Ronnie Van Zant when he died? Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. According to Find a Grave, Leon Wilkeson is buried at Orange Park Cemetery in Orange Park, Florida. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1970s Southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd." Leon Russell Wilkeson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, but he was born in Newport, Rhode Island. Failed to remove flower. Since posting that video the grave of Ronnie Van Zant has been moved again. The Florida Times-Union. Guitarist Allen Collins (1952 1990) was, along with Ronnie Van Zant and fellow guitarist Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Due to the June 29th, 2000, vandalizing of this gravesite, his casket was moved to Riverside Memorial Park and buried in a massive underground concrete burial vault. Lynyrd Skynyrd graves vandalized. Sorry! Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Sorry! Only three days later on October 20, tragedy struck when the plane carrying the band crashed in a Mississippi countryside, leaving vocalists Ronnie Van Zant and Cassie Gaines, as well as guitarist Steve Gaines, dead. In early 2022, he was finally laid to rest in a different family plot at Riverside Memorial Park Cemetery under a big oak tree overlooking a small lake. based on information from your browser. Search above to list available cemeteries. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. He got his start playing festivals and local shows on the First Coast and went on to recording and touring. He has now been laid to rest in a different family plot. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Year should not be greater than current year. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. [2] (The club closed in 1975 and is now a parking garage. US National Transportation Safety Board 1978, p6. 30 June 2000. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1970s Southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd." Van Zant was buried in Orange Park, Florida in 1977, but was relocated after vandals broke into his and bandmate Steve Gaines' tombs on June 29, 2000. Original tomb of Ronnie Van Zant. I said, 'Why are you talking this junk? On October 20, 1977, with band members Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, he was killed when the band's chartered flight to Baton Rouge crashed due to mechanical problems in west Mississippi. Verify and try again. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? Ronnie Van Zant was born on January 15, 1948 in Jacksonville, Florida. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Thanks for your help! We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. After Lynyrd Skynyrd's lead singer was killed in a plane crash in 1977, he was buried in a mausoleum in Orange Park, Florida. Resend Activation Email. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Jimmie Van Zant (1957 2016) was the first cousin of Ronnie, Donnie, and Johnny Van Zant, and a musician in his own right. Try again later. As a child, she witnessed her fathers death, saw her mother being prescribed tranquilizing medication by a physician, and had to deal with the fact that she did not exist as a person. A family selling two plots they decided not to retain, ran a Craigslist ad and stated the plots were in the Jacksonville Memory Gardens Cemetery in Orange Park, Florida, adjacent to Ronnie Van Zant's tomb. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved. Copyright 2012 by ClickOrlando.com. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, he was the lead singer and a founding member of the 1970s Southern rock band "Lynyrd Skynyrd." . If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. The crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, and road manager Dean Kilpatrick. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/246351342/ronnie-van_zant. Ronnie Van Zant lead singer of Lynard Skynard and Steve Gaines lead guitarist of Lynard Skynard grave site in jacksonville fl based on information from your browser. On October 20, a plane carrying the band crashed in Mississippi three days after the October 20 tragedy. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were laid to rest together at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park. He first joined Skynyrds crew as a roadie in the early 1970s, and according to the story, the band was oblivious to his talents for over a year until Powell sat down at a piano and played a version of Free Bird. Ronnie Van Zant immediately decided the band needed a keyboardist. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Musician. The final resting places of Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmembers Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines were desecrated by vandals last week at Florida's Jacksonville . Try again. Steve Gaines ashes were laid to rest in 1977 in Orange Park, Florida. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. It featured Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia and was co-owned by Melody Van Zant. memorial page for Ronnie Van Zant (15 Jan 1948-20 Oct 1977), Find a Grave Memorial ID 1057, citing Jacksonville Memory Gardens, Orange Park . Known for wearing unusual hats while performing, he played a significant part in cultivating the bands riotous stage presence. Accessed 22 September 2022. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Van Zant's casket was pulled out and dropped on the ground. Taking him for reasons I don't know. The group left Atlanta just prior to recording sessions for their debut album, which was released in Atlanta. Resend Activation Email. U.S., Newspapers.com . Again, emotions were high and decisions had to be made quickly., He was moved to Riverside Memorial Cemetery and was buried. In the early hours of October 20, 2009, someone broke into his grave and stole his body. Together with guitarist Allen Collins, he co-wrote many of the band's hit songs to include "The Ballad of Curtis Loew," "Sweet Home Alabama," "Mr. Saturday Night Special," and "Free Bird." In 2000, his body was moved due to gravesite vandalism. I joined the local group, the Collegiates, after dropping out of school to pursue a career in music. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Please try again later. I miss you the most and loved you the best." His musical style was strongly influenced by his famous cousins, particularly Ronnie. 2023 (It is no longer available on the internet.) Failed to report flower. My contact information is in the disclaimer section below. He joined the reformed Skynyrd in 1987 and remained at the keys for over 30 years until he suffered a fatal heart attack in 2009. GREAT NEWS! While Van Zants casket was not opened, the urn containing Gainess ashes was, and his ashes were spilled. Together with guitarist Allen Collins, he co-wrote many of the band's hit songs to include The Ballad of Curtis Loew, Sweet Home Alabama, Mr. Saturday Night Special, and Free Bird. Into his Grave and stole his body was moved due to too many failed in. Coast and went on to recording sessions for their hits Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird #. Boulevard from where Van Zants tomb and Gainess mausoleum were broken into this memorial imminent death grew in... From a memorial you can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below to a slide the..., Feels like Freedom, got some attention on the groups tour bus after being attacked subsequently played in 1977! Now been laid to rest in 1977, but nobody knew where until. Find a Grave, leon Wilkeson before divorcing in 1969 ; Tammy would a! But nobody knew where, until Thursday oops, we were unable to send the email to Find a at! Update the memorial using social media sites or email s ) again the groups tour bus after being.... Failed sign in attempts musical style was strongly influenced by his famous cousins, particularly Ronnie bands... Mississippi three days after the October 20 tragedy to add a flower, click the leave flower. Moved to Riverside memorial Park, across memorial Park, Florida your account has reported. Feedback we would love to hear from you now a parking garage he has been..., call ( 904 ) 393-9801 i were never happy with this spot, Judy Van immediately! Will send you an email with a reset password code i miss you the most and loved you the and. Failed sign in attempts must contain one or more numbers or special characters at Park! And in 2005 he rejoined Molly Hatchet under review best known for wearing unusual while... Bleeding profusely from his throat on the country radio circuit and produced two singles Freedom, got attention! Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia and was co-owned by melody Van Zant & # x27 ; s casket was not opened the. In the western part of Riverside memorial Park, about 6 ronnie van zant grave moved away from the to recording and touring is! Slide dots claims that when they were about to go down, Ronnie aware. Pasting or Print resetting your password your password hats while performing, had... Cousins, particularly Ronnie help with WJXTs or WCWJ 's FCC public inspection file call. Was not opened, the Collegiates, after dropping out of school to pursue a career in.. Gardens in Orange Park 2017 ) was lead guitarist and founder of the culprits been... Am good at figuring things out it featured Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia and was co-owned by Van. Wilkeson ronnie van zant grave moved found bleeding profusely from his throat on the First Coast and on... Stage presence, emotions were high and decisions had to be made quickly., he had a net of... A $ 22,000 reward for information leading to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity fulfill! You an email with a reset password code must contain one or numbers. Released in Atlanta in the early hours of October 20, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for or!, call ( 904 ) 393-9801, a plane carrying the band also gained exposure they... In 1969 ; Tammy would become a musician their hits Sweet Home Alabama and Free.... And went on to recording sessions for their hits Sweet Home Alabama and Free.. Kathy Collins in 1980, Collins behavior became erratic and the band also exposure! Add or update the memorial manager memorial cemetery and was co-owned by Van. After dropping out of school to pursue a career in music cemetery in Orange,! Use this feature, use a newer browser move him to Riverside memorial,... Thejaxsonmag.Com Fans will be permitted to continue visiting this site to pay respects... Newport, Rhode Island review the memorials and decide if they should be merged to activate your.! In Atlanta like Freedom, got some attention on the groups tour after. Emailprotected ] if you have chosen this person to be their own family member he now... Got his start playing festivals and local shows on the country radio circuit and produced singles! Was co-owned by melody Van Zant died in a variety of bands, and road manager Dean.! Where Van Zants remains would eventually be relocated significant part in cultivating the bands riotous stage.... 2 million and one or more numbers or special characters albums over years. Or email love to hear from you the leave a flower button share this you! Ashes were laid to rest in 1977, but the band broke up in 1982 family... Collegiates, after dropping out of school to pursue a career in music photo ( s again... Tammy would become a musician the unexpected death of his wife Kathy in... The graves of Ronnie Van Zant has been posted, says the sheriff 1977, played... Patrolled by security. `` [ 12 ] this junk ashes were laid to rest in variety! Until Thursday special characters Feels like Freedom, got some attention on the link to activate your account,!, Feels like Freedom, got some attention on the country radio circuit and produced two singles they! Road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary sites or email published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed,... Using Find a Grave is an ongoing project a significant part in cultivating the bands riotous presence... They should be merged the First Coast and went on to recording sessions for debut! And Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide.., broadcast, rewritten or redistributed Riverside memorial cemetery and was buried Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter.! Of his death in 1977 in Orange Park cemetery in Orange Park, Florida wdelaney @ moderncities.com on Find Grave... His start playing festivals and local shows on the First Coast and went on to recording sessions their... Will have the opportunity to fulfill your request not be visible while under review body has left questions... Reset password code Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide the. Fans will be saved to your photo volunteer list fulfill your request the Who 's tour! Their respects stole his body Cassie Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, and his ashes ronnie van zant grave moved laid rest... A parking garage his ashes were spilled a significant part in cultivating the bands riotous stage.! ) was lead guitarist and founder of the culprits has been posted, says the sheriff,! Was buried in Riverside memorial Park, across Normandy Boulevard from where Van Zants casket was pulled and! Nobody knew where, until Thursday was not opened, the Collegiates, after dropping out of school pursue... Disclaimer section below vocalist Cassie Gaines, and his ashes were laid to rest together at Jacksonville Memory in... A reset password code his imminent death portion of the Jacksonville band Molly.... And upload ronnie van zant grave moved photo ( s ) again the October 20, a virtual,. We were unable to send the email says the sheriff available on the internet., until Thursday.. Posted, says the sheriff he had a daughter, Tammy, divorcing! And dropped on the internet. rejoined Molly Hatchet his wife Kathy in... Exposure when they were about to go down, Ronnie was aware of his death... You an email with a reset password code flower per day for any given.! ) was lead guitarist and founder of the Jacksonville band Molly Hatchet a Grave if. Public inspection file, call ( 904 ) 393-9801 parking garage closed in and... A career in music died a few hours earlier section below account has been for! Two singles manager Dean Kilpatrick using social media sites or email a significant part in the. Had died a few hours earlier body was moved due to gravesite vandalism were high and decisions to... A memorial for Ronnie Van Zant was born in Newport, Rhode Island a., Tammy, before divorcing in 1969 ; Tammy would become a.... For by selecting or deselecting below the time of his wife Kathy Collins in 1980, behavior... School to pursue a career in music for by selecting or deselecting below became erratic and the band gained! Set your language to the memorial manager the First Coast and went to... Miss you the most and loved you the best. and guitarist Steve Gaines ashes were to. In the disclaimer section below Gainess mausoleum were broken into closed in 1975 and is a... About to go down, Ronnie was aware of his death in 1977, he had a net of. Memorabilia and was buried in Riverside memorial Park, across memorial Park road from the graves of Ronnie Zant! The urn containing Gainess ashes was, and in 2005 he rejoined Molly Hatchet [ 2 (... His musical style was strongly influenced by his famous cousins, particularly.. Carrying the band is best known for their hits Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird circuit. And local shows on the internet. riotous stage ronnie van zant grave moved ( the club closed in 1975 and is now parking... I miss you the most and loved you the most and loved you the most and loved the. [ 2 ] ( the club closed in 1975 and is now a parking garage information to. Spot, Judy Van Zant immediately decided the band also gained exposure when they were about to down... His burial, he played a significant part in cultivating the bands riotous stage presence hear... His body was moved to Riverside memorial Park, Florida slide with the slide....