JoJo Billingsley. In December 1975 she was hired, along with Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins, as backing singers for the Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose leader, Ronnie Van Zant, dubbed them "The Honkettes". Allen Collins injured his spine; back-up singer Leslie Hawkins had serious facial cuts, while Billy Powell and Artimus Pyle were released from hospitals a week after the crash. Drummer Artimus Pyle crawled out of the plane wreckage with several broken ribs, but was ambulatory, as were road crew members Kenneth Peden Jr. and Mark Frank. In the beginning, the singer was reluctant to board the aircraft and had already bought another commercial flight ticket. I said, Bullshit man. But he said, No, no, I want to go out with my boots on.. No one could mess with Allen. Unfortunately, their plane ran short of fuel. Powell also claimed that Ronnie Van Zant's head had been smashed. Do you want to make positive changes to your life and improve your relationships? I am available to help individuals and families with various issues including, but not limited to: anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, ADHD, women's issues, life transitions, eating concerns, and social anxiety. I will not try to fit you into a single theoretical framework. We are involved with forces whose energies are greater than our own. She was devastated by the loss of her band family members that died in the crash. Cassie said, Im going to ride in the truck, but she changed her mind at the last minute. Jan 8, 2017 - Cassie Gaines and Leslie Hawkins: Honkettes/Lynyrd Skynyrd. Leon Wilkeson suffered a broken jaw, a crushed chest and internal bleeding and was declared dead not once, but three times, waking up only to say he had been sitting on a cloud-shaped log with Ronnie and Duane Allman. They went from headlining small venues in the south to performing in front of 20,000 at some of Americans largest facilities. They flew a mechanic in from Dallas who was supposed to repair everything. For more information please contact --. Weekly Wrap: Ampadu, Brenya die; Delay, Akua GMB flaunt homes and Moesha speaks. Billy Powell sustained severe facial lacerations. I respectfully listen to all these parts of you, and I will work with you to pursue new health and wholeness. It was probably a good thing. We are experts in facilitating scientifically supported treatments that have been shown to reduce physical distress and increase engagement in life. It was so weird because some of them thought that maybe I had something to do with it, but I had nothing to do with it.. The desire to experience relief for your current circumstances has led you to this very moment. You know how they always say, Who died and made you boss? Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossingtons soft Florida drawl is made even softer by 3000 miles of phone line. She was partially paralyzed and suffered permanent neurological damage. Known as One of the Honketts a name coined by Ronnie VanZant as one of his backup singers. Search for nearby therapists or counselors by inputting your city, town, or suburb; or zip code; or a providers name into the search bar. Mary Austin Will Auction Off Freddie Mercurys, Yes Release Brand New Spanking Song All, Watch The Trailer For The New Syd Barret Film, Why These 12 Rock Hits Were Hated By Fans, Michael Anthony Shares The Plans To Explore Van Halen, Wild Man Of Rock n Roll Wee Willie Harris Passed. In his own circle, it was common knowledge that Van Zant didnt expect to live much longer. Horrifyingly, it wasnt only help that came. How did Cassie Gaines get in Lynyrd Skynyrd? You're not alone! He figured he was supposed to watch them when they were out on the road.. View the profiles of people named Leslie Hawkins. God made his mark on them for them to make their mark on the world. The horror of all these women waiting to hear if their husbands were dead? But before that, he went up to Honkette Jo Jo Billingsley, and did something that unnerved her. As a result of the plane crash, Powell suffered several facial injuries that almost cost the man his nose. Lynyrd Skynyrd is a FANDOM Music Community. Bassist Ean Donald Evans, inspired by greats John Paul Jones and Leon Wilkeson, was Hughies right hand man on the Outlaws and joined the guitarist when he joined Skynyrd in the mid-90s for the brief period of time. The music was incredible. Leon Wilkesons father was alive, but was the weirdest human being I had ever met in my life, according to King. When the tragedy happened, I was the one who flew out with Lacy to identify the bodies, says Barnes. She was best known for her work with The Honkettes, backing vocalists for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Allen Collins father had just begun showing up about the same time the cheques did, according to one member of the band. Looking to Tackle Prescription Overload - The New York Times England and Wales company registration number 2008885. But he was straightforward with everything he did. Later reports would insist that the singer was decapitated, causing his widow, Judy Van Zant to publish her husbands autopsy results on the internet. An October 20, 1977 airplane crash killed several members of the band and road crew, but Billingsley was the only band member not on the flight. She performed as a backup singer in popular hits such as One More Time and That Smell. My hope is that our work together will bring you insights and opportunities for new ways of relating with yourself and others. On November 26, 2018, Barstow Police detectives received information that Leslie Hawkins had fled California and was in Las Vegas, NV. I said Allen, please dont get on that plane. He said, Jo, its funny youd mention that, because I was looking out the window yesterday and I saw fire come out of the wing. [When I heard about the crash] the first thing I thought was, God saved my life. The Lord gave me that dream to warn me, and I did the only thing I could do and warned them. Leslie Hawkins was seriously injured in the plane crash that decimated Lynyrd Skynyrd on Thursday, October 20, 1977. The Honkettes: Director Reveals How Southern Rock's Leading Ladies Text-based or on-demand therapy apps may be cheaper than traditional one-on-one psychotherapy; however, the practice may be less effective and is not likely to be covered by insurance. Change is hard. Unfortunately, Bob passed away after crashing into a tree last year off a sharp curve in Georgia. It didnt then. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Lynyrd Skynyrd History Behind them, the rhythm section of Powell, bassist Leon Wilkeson and drummer Bob Burns played with military precision. According to Billingsley, this experience led her to become a born-again Christian.[2]. Heres how it works. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Murder. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 10 shares. Providing backup vocals for the band's live performances were, from left, Cassie Gaines, Leslie Hawkins and JoJo Billingsley. Ten feet above the carnage, Leslie Hawkins and Bill Sykes, a television crewman accompanying the band, were alive but stuck in a tree, with a heavy piece of sheet metal dangling precariously. How did Cassie Gaines of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd die? - Yen Deborah Jo Billingsley (May 28, 1952[1] June 24, 2010) was an American singer, soloist, songwriter and recording artist. She is listed in Flavorwires 33 Women Music Critics You Need to Read and holds the dubious honour of being the only rock journalist who has ever performed in full costume and makeup with Kiss. Leslie Hawkins Profiles | Facebook BA1 1UA. They took anything that said Lynyrd Skynyrd. After starting band Noon in 97 and following Leons passing in 2001, Ean returned to Skynyrd as the bassist until his cancer got the best of him in 2009. Unnerved by the sight of a dirty, blood-drenched hippie running towards him, Mote fired a warning shotgun blast. We invite you to connect with us. He was very, very intelligent, but he had a high temper. Parked outside a club in San Francisco, a rather large Chicano man wandered onto their tour bus, called the Great White Wonder, demanding to have a look around. Her son, Justin, is in the US Navy. Ronnie was such a gentleman, he wouldnt let anybody mess with us, says Jo Jo Billingsley. Some of the more unique challenges my clients face are a result of major, life-changing events or transitions. Those in the front of the plane came off worse thats where Ronnie, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and road manager Dean Kilpatrick were sitting, he tells Classic Rock. When Aerosmith's crew heard of Skynyrd's misfortune, they were shocked, but not necessarily surprised. On the sneeringly sarcastic of Working For MCA, a song he wrote for the Sound Of The South launch party held at Richards in Atlanta on Sunday July 29, 1973, where the band played in front of jaundiced record executives, radio programmers, disc jockeys, promoters, rock critics and T.Rexs Marc Bolan, all of whom flew in on MCAs tab. But when we were in Glasgow and they were playing with The Who or The Stones, I forgot. He recalled when their first drummer Bob Burns snapped in a northern England hotel room in late 1974 on the bands first overseas trek, a breakdown the others say was triggered by an unhealthy number of viewings of the hit film, the The Exorcist. Smith was rushed to a hospital in critical condition where he remained hospitalizedfor eight days and on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. In a look back at the incident in 2017, Rolling Stone magazine reported the other 14 survivors "endured shattered bones, torn flesh, lengthy hospitalizations and grueling rehabilitations." Rare interviews with four first responders were also captured, filmed on location at the crash site in Gillsburg, Mississippi. "The entire operation is lopsided. All the money that was in my pockets was taken. "Leslie was instrumental in the rollout of our clinical EMR and became one of the strongest super users of athena that I've worked with. Everyone was sort of wary, though. Very rarely does a rock artist come around that has the ability to commandas an unstoppablepowerhouse with asoft, smooth vocal texture that can rock you to sleep; Ronnie was just that. Billingsley also made many television and radio appearances, appeared in several movies and DVDs, and traveled extensively. Skynyrd manager Rudge chartered three planes to take family members to the small Mississippi town to see the survivors and in six instances, identify their dead. He also gave me several things, including his lawn mower and his 1955 Chevy pickup truck. Billy was an indispensable part of the band, linking together the guitar work and vocals with consistently sweet melodies against softly pitched key notes that tied the whole southern musical motif together. He rang me and said, Weve got some trouble in this hotel. He told me theyve got hold of the managers wifes cat and they skinned it. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. I provide therapy to Individuals and Young Adults who are dealing with transitions that have become overwhelming. The Convair 240 itself had been inspected by members of Aerosmith's flight crew for possible use in the early summer of 1977, but was rejected because it was felt that neither the plane nor the crew were up to standards. Leslie is a very humble woman and does not often grant interviews or appearances. She was severely injured in the airplane crash that killed three band members in 1977. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Read recent and archived obituaries and memorial notices from The Cullman Times", "The Dead Rock Stars Club January to June 2010", Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour, Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, 20th Century Masters: The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=JoJo_Billingsley&oldid=1150644243, People from Lafayette County, Mississippi, Articles needing additional references from August 2008, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2023, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 19 April 2023, at 08:41. Johnny Van Zant, who replaced him as the lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, isnt sure. Kooper had just persuaded MCA records to bankroll his Sounds Of The South label in an effort to compete with Phil Waldens Capricorn Records (home of the Allman Brothers). She died along with her younger brother and several band members in a plane crash on October 20, 1977. Apparently, it took rescue crews much longer than anticipated to get to the crash scene. Was this litany of woe what Van Zant had in mind when he insisted matter-of-factly to his wife, bandmates, family members, audiences and this journalist that he just wasnt long for this world? Charlesworth, however, chalks the plane crash up to just dumb bad luck. Biography. The famous music band Lynyrd Skynyrd is considered to have one of the most gruesome band histories after losing several people in an aerial accident. Anxiety and depression are very real concerns for most people, but when they keep us from moving forward, it can be very helpful to seek another perspective from someone outside of family or friends. The family soon moved to Senatobia, Mississippi from Harmontown, Mississippi, where she was raised. Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT, LPC. In the following years, Billy joined band Vision until his presence was requested at the Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion in 1987 where he remained until his devastating heart attackin 2009, that unfortunately took the piano prodigy from this world. JoJo, Leslie and newcomer Donna Basile, rounded out the Honkettes. View the profiles of people named Leslie Hawkins. That anthem-turned-albatross began life as a wistful love song about a man who was trying to extricate himself from a claustrophobic relationship. This article originally appeared in Classic Rock 121, in June 2006. Four years later, wheelchair bound Collins would be dead. I welcome you to discover if you and I are the right fit. Pianist Billy Powell survived, but his nose was nearly torn off and he suffered severe facial lacerations. Chris Charlesworth was due to travel with the band on that ill-starred night of October 20, 1977.