JPG Magazine: Photos: "Ronnie Van Zant" by ! Slimeface

Ronnie Van Zant

By ! Slimeface

On 30 January 2007

Favorited 26 Times

I took this picture at the Jacksonville Memorial Gardens of the marker where Ronnie Van Zant was buried almost 30 years ago after a fatal plane crash in 1977. Ronnie Van Zant was the founder, singer and leader of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band. I pass by this beautiful place often but seldom stop. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a major influence in my youth and I'm sure Ronnie Van Zant has also influenced my adult life as well. I still can't believe how fast those 30 years have traveled. ;)

26 Responses

On 12 January 2008 Dennis Blauer said:
yeah! that is so true for me also and now that i think about it, Lynyrd Skynyrd pretty much set the standard for Southern Rock that still holds true today. i recently found a copy of the album that shows them all previous to the crash, with the fire, at a garage sale! man! i miss albums! i think the music industry really hurt pop art when they made the switch to 8-tracks, then to cassettes, then to CDs, and now music doesn't even have cover art! By the way, what do i have to do to get my name url, DennisBlauer.com to point to my Flickr account like yours?
On 19 January 2008 Paul Lavallee gave props:
well composed photo & this was such a tragic event
On 21 March 2008 Leanna Lomanski said:
Nice photo tribute to a great rock icon! and Dennis.......I'm with you on the albums -- of course, I've been lugging mine around for 30 something years. My son continues to add to the collection though, which is cool.
On 21 March 2008 Shannon Dagher said:
I would love to see this in person as well...Lynyrd Skynyrd has always been a part of my life as well. Thanks for posting this one! :)
On 22 March 2008 David C. Kennedy said:
I've often thought about what Ronnie's final resting place looked like - thanks so much for posting the cool shot. I'm just another person who was profoundly moved by Lynyrd Skynyrd's music. No doubt one of the all-time greatest rock bands! It's good to know some people still listen to and care about the band and Ronnie. Great rock from the past seems to be dying among the youth of today and it's a real shame because it's truly timeless music that I feel transcends changing styles and trends. I can only keep hoping that music with quality songwriting and excellent musicianship will eventually make a real comeback. RIP to all of the Skynyrd boys ( and girls ) who have passed away. Thank God we still have their fantastic music!
On 22 March 2008 Kat gave props:
Thanks for getting this shot! I grew up listening to Ronnie as well & now it's so awesome to hear my son at 17 playing his music on the guitar. The black & white & the shadows are perfect. I can only imagine the feelings going through you as you stood there.
On 24 March 2008 Ariana Bauer said:
Such a simple gravestone for an incredible musician. I may be young, but I grew up listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd and adore their music. I wish I could have seen them all play together.
On 27 March 2008 maloos khansarian said:
simple....I like it very much...black & white
On 27 March 2008 Eric Abernethy said:
I grew in NC and still live here and you know I can dig this. Southern Rock that will never die.
On 31 March 2008 Jeff Cochran gave props:
I cant believe it's been 30 years,were did it go
On 6 April 2008 Susan Messer said:
Beautiful and very soft. I love grave sites because they are filled with history and stories. Nice that you know something about Lynyrd Skynyrd life and his story. Thanks for sharing.
My husband was also a longhaul trucker, but now does in-town trucking. It is amazing the marvelous sites you can see.
On 7 April 2008 Carrie Scott said:
great shot...love the shadows
On 8 April 2008 "Peggy.Sue" Harrington added a link:
Love your photo! Here is my tribute to my favorite band. :) (www.jpgmag.com)
On 23 April 2008 Cheryl Brown gave props:
Great picture! I love Lynyrd Skynyrd. They are a true Rock icon. I am from Alabama so I am sure you can guess what my favorite song by them is!
On 24 April 2008 David Logan Morrow said:
Great shot! Thanks for taking it and posting it. I know what you mean about time passing. And it keeps going by faster and faster! (sigh).
Best -- David
On 24 April 2008 Dave Dubrick gave props:
You did a great job capturing this. Well done.
On 26 April 2008 Maria Ivanova said:
interesting. so sad and interesting
On 5 May 2008 gerry sexton said:
interesting although from my era i never really knew much of their music only the really popular stuff. i googled ronnie & discovered what i never realised or probably knew but was too stoned for it to register! sad the grave had to be moved!
On 26 May 2008 victor jackson said:
I used to hang out in the garage n their early days.
On 27 May 2008 Kristin Chiara-Platts gave props:
Free Bird!
On 4 June 2008 Katy Donalds gave props:
Beautiful. I like that you captured the shadow of the tree.
On 8 June 2008 Jim Glass said:
Great photo! Lynyrd Skynyrd is the best band in America, both then and now.
On 19 June 2008 Alan Graham said:
30 years ago?!?!?!?!?!?!
Oh God, I'm old.
On 24 June 2008 Anne Brisco said:
I love how the palm frames this memorial. Very well done. Your ability to capture so much within a frame is wonderful. I really enjoy your work.
On 10 July 2008 Raf M said:
How cool was that to be there.. You go to Salinas California?
On 16 July 2008 Kristine Bailey gave props:
Nice Tribute to Ronnie!