Wilkeson died in his sleep on July 27, 2001, at age 49 at the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Beach Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He was pronounced dead by St Johns County Fire Rescue Paramedic Charlie Galambos.

What were Ronnie Van Zant’s last words?

Odom said his documentary, which is based on his 1983 book, will bring understanding to fans about those last 72 hours. “The last words Ronnie Van Zant heard were from Gene Odom,” he said. “And I’ll tell you a secret: The last song he ever heard was Rambling Fever by Merle Haggard.”

Did Lynyrd Skynyrd support Confederate flag?

“We still utilize the Confederate (Rebel) flag on stage every night in our shows, we are and always will be a Southern American Rock band, first and foremost. We also utilize the state flag of Alabama and the American flag as well, ’cause at the end of the day, we are all Americans.

Who was the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd?

The original core of Lynyrd Skynyrd—Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom—first came together under the name “My Backyard” back in 1964, as Jacksonville, Florida, teenagers.

What happened to the original band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant died on impact, along with guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray. The other band members and members of the road crew suffered devastating injuries.