Steve Gaines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Steve Gaines
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Steven Earl Gaines |
| Also known as |
Okie
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| Born | September 14, 1949 Miami, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | October 20, 1977 (aged 28) Gillsburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, Southern rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist |
| Years active | 1964–1977 |
Steven Earl Gaines (born September 14, 1949 – died October 20, 1977) was a talented American musician. He was famous as a guitarist and singer for the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Steve joined the band in 1976. Sadly, he passed away in October 1977 in a plane crash. This accident also took the lives of other band members and crew. His older sister, Cassie Gaines, who sang backup for the band, also died in the crash.
Contents
Steve Gaines' Early Life and Music Career
Growing Up and First Bands
Steve Gaines was born in Miami, Oklahoma. When he was 15, he saw the Beatles play live in Kansas City. This concert made him want to play music. After the show, he asked his dad to buy him his first guitar.
Steve's first band was called Manalive. They even recorded music at the famous Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. In the 1970s, Steve played with other bands too. These included ILMO Smokehouse and Detroit. He also started his own band called Crawdad around 1974.
Solo Music and Rare Albums
In 1975, Steve recorded several songs with Crawdad. These were made at Capricorn studios in Macon, Georgia. Later, in 1988, these songs were released by MCA as an album called One in the Sun. This is known as his only official solo album.
Steve also has two other very rare albums. These were released by his wife, Teresa. They are called I Know a Little and Okie Special. These albums have live recordings from his bands Crawdad and Manalive. Only 100 copies of each of these special CDs were ever made.
Joining Lynyrd Skynyrd
In December 1975, Steve's older sister, Cassie Gaines, joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. She became one of their female backup singers, known as The Honkettes. The band was looking for a new lead guitarist at the time. Their previous guitarist, Ed King, had left in mid-1975.
Cassie suggested her brother Steve for the spot. At first, the band wasn't sure. But they let him play one song with them on May 11, 1976. This was at a show in Kansas City, Missouri. The song was "T-For Texas, (Blue Yodel #1)". The band members couldn't hear Steve well on stage. But their soundman, Kevin Elson, listened through headphones. He told them Steve was amazing!
They played together a few more times. Then, they invited Steve to join the band. He joined just in time to record their live album, One More from the Road. The first show recorded for this album was only Steve's third time playing with the band. Interestingly, Steve Gaines and Ed King, the guitarist he replaced, were both born on September 14, 1949.
Steve's Impact on Lynyrd Skynyrd
Guitar Skills and Songwriting
Steve Gaines brought amazing guitar playing and songwriting skills to Lynyrd Skynyrd. This was clear on his only studio album with them, Street Survivors, released in 1977. The band's leader, Ronnie Van Zant, was very impressed. He often talked about Steve's talent. Ronnie even said that one day, the whole band would be "in his shadow."
Steve added a lot to the band's music. He sang lead vocals with Ronnie on the song "You Got That Right". This song became a hit after the plane crash. He also wrote the lively guitar song "I Know a Little" before joining Skynyrd.
Ronnie Van Zant was so confident in Steve's abilities. He even let Steve sing lead on his own bluesy song, "Ain't No Good Life." This was one of the few songs where someone other than Ronnie sang lead vocals for Lynyrd Skynyrd before the crash.
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The Tragic Plane Crash
On October 20, 1977, a terrible event happened. This was just three days after the Street Survivors album was released. The band was on a very successful tour. A plane carrying the musicians and crew crashed. They were flying from Greenville, South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The plane crashed in a swampy area near Gillsburg, Mississippi.
The crash killed Steve Gaines, Ronnie Van Zant, and Cassie Gaines. It also took the lives of assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary, and co-pilot William Gray.
Steve's Resting Place
Steve Gaines was cremated. His ashes were buried in Orange Park, Florida in 1977. Later, his resting place was moved to a secret location. This happened after vandals broke into his and Ronnie Van Zant's tombs in 2000. Their original memorials still stand for fans to visit.
Steve Gaines' Music Albums
Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums
- One More from the Road (1976)
- Street Survivors (1977)
Solo Album
- One in the Sun (1988)
