ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 31, 1986
By Steve Newton
Just before Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s plane went down on October 20, 1977, the now-legendary southern rock band released an album ironically titled Street Survivors. That crash took the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and singer/guitarist Steve Gaines, and grounded the band’s career just as it was about to soar to new heights.
Guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins survived the tragedy, and lived to carry on the group’s trademark double-lead sound in their own band, Rossington Collins.
But the fates weren’t finished with them yet.
Collins had written a song with Van Zant for the Street Survivors LP, “That Smell”, which opened with the lines; “Whiskey bottles and brand new cars/Oak tree you’re in my way/There’s too much coke, and too much smoke/Look what’s goin’ on inside you/Ooo that smell, can’t you smell that smell/Oooo that smell, the smell of death surrounds you.”
A year ago Allen Collins himself was involved in a terrible car accident. He didn’t die, but he’s still in the hospital today, paralyzed.
“He’s not doin’ too good,” explains Rossington, over the phone from New York. “It was a real bummer. God bless him.”
With Lynyrd Skynyrd’s former bassist and keyboardist now playing for God in a Florida Christian band called Vision, that leaves Rossington as the only survivor capable of keeping the rowdy sound of Skynyrd on the street. And he’s doing it, thank heaven, with his own band, which has just released its debut LP Returned to the Scene of the Crime.
The lead singer in Rossington is Dale Krantz-Rossington, Gary’s wife. She also fronted Rossington Collins on their two albums, Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere and This Is the Way, before the group disbanded in 1981.
“Dale and I decided to get away from that band ’cause we were tired and ready for a break,” says Mr. Rossington. “We wanted to get married and move away from Jacksonville, Florida. So we moved to Wyoming, built a house, and had two babies. Then we started this new band.
“We’ve still got the old drummer from Rossington Collins, Derek Hess, but everybody else is new. They’re young guys from Florida, real enthusiastic, and we’re ready to come back strong.”
The love affair between Rossington and Krantz first started in the spring of ’77. At that time she was singing background for .38 Special, which was opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Two years later, when Rossington Collins was forming, Krantz was recommended as vocalist by a mutual friend. “So Gary was my boss first,” laughs Dale. “I guess he still is.”
Does Krantz find it rough going, being a rocker and mother at the same time?
“Yeah, I would be lying if I said no. It’s very difficult when you’ve got teething babies in the middle of the night and you’re writing lyrics all day.
“But it is certainly worth it,” she adds, “because they have just changed our lives all for the better. For two people who thought that music was the beginning and end of it all, we have certainly had a revelation.”
As well as the new family and a new group, Rossington and Krantz have come up with a new label. On Lynyrd Skynyrd’s famous Second Helping LP, Ronnie Van Zant sang about “Workin’ for MCA”, the label that released all of the great Skynyrd albums, and Rossington Collins too. But for Rossington the tune is now “Workin’ for Atlantic”.
“We were just exhausted with MCA,” says Gary. “And actually they didn’t want us anymore. They never picked up the contract, so we did a demo and Atlantic picked it up. And we’re happy for the change. We needed it.”
Returned to the Scene of the Crime was recorded at the historic Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama, the state referred to in a Skynyrd song co-written by Rossington, “Sweet Home Alabama”. They recorded their first album there, which was released only after the plane crashed, called Skynyrd’s First…and Last.
Those early tracks were recorded by the same fellow who produced Rossington’s new album, resident rhythm-guitar ace Jimmy Johnson. His son Jay Johnson is now the rhythm guitarist for Rossington. Says Gary: “It’s a real family affair.”
With a hot new band and good album behind him, things appear to be going well for Gary Rossington, street survivor. But he still feels that, if it weren’t for that plane crash, his old group would still be kickin’ up a storm.
“I’m sure Skynyrd would have stayed together and kept it up, ’cause we were real close. We were more friends and brothers than really a band.”
To hear the full audio of my 1986 interview with Gary Rossington and Dale Krantz-Rossington subscribe to my Patreon page, where you can eavesdrop on over 325 of my uncut, one-on-one conversations with:
Ian Gillan of Deep Purple, 2006
Jack Blades of Night Ranger, 1984
Colin James, 1995
Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, 1998
Tom Cochrane of Red Rider, 1983
Ed Roland of Collective Soul, 1995
Taj Mahal, 2001
Tom Wilson of Junkhouse, 1995
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, 2003
David Lindley, 2002
Marty Friedman of Megadeth, 1991
John Hiatt, 2010
Nancy Wilson of Heart, 2006
Jeff Golub, 1989
Moe Berg of the Pursuit of Happiness, 1990
Todd Rundgren, 2006
Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, 2001
Steve Earle, 1987
Gabby Gaborno of the Cadillac Tramps, 1991
Terry Bozzio, 2003
Roger Glover, 1985
Matthew Sweet, 1995
Jim McCarty of the Yardbirds, 2003
Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars, 2001
John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, 1995
Steve Hackett from Genesis, 1993
Grace Potter, 2008
Buddy Guy, 1993
Steve Lynch of Autograph, 1985
Don Wilson of the Ventures, 1997
Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, 1998
Trevor Rabin of Yes, 1984
Albert Lee, 1986
Yngwie Malmsteen, 1985
Robert Cray, 1996
Tony Carey, 1984
Ian Hunter, 1988
Kate Bush, 1985
David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, 1984
Jeff Healey, 1988
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip, 1996
Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, 1993
Colin Linden, 1993
Kenny Wayne Shepherd, 1995
Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues, 1986
Elliot Easton from the Cars, 1996
Wayne Kramer from the MC5, 2004
Bob Rock, 1992
Nick Gilder, 1985
Klaus Meine of Scorpions, 1988
Jason Bonham, 1989
Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers, 1991
Joey Spampinato of NRBQ, 1985
Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers, 2003
Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash, 2003
Steve Kilbey of the Church, 1990
Edgar Winter, 2005
Johnette Napolitano of Concrete Blonde, 1990
Randy Hansen, 2001
Dan McCafferty of Nazareth, 1984
Davy Knowles of Back Door Slam, 2007
Jimmy Barnes from Cold Chisel, 1986
Steve Stevens of Atomic Playboys, 1989
Billy Idol, 1984
Stuart Adamson of Big Country, 1993
Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, 1992
Warren Haynes of Gov’t Mule, 1998
John Bell of Widespread Panic, 1992
Robben Ford, 1993
Barry Hay of Golden Earring, 1984
Jason Isbell, 2007
Joey Belladonna of Anthrax, 1991
Joe Satriani, 1990
Vernon Reid of Living Colour, 1988
Brad Delp of Boston, 1988
Zakk Wylde of Pride & Glory, 1994
John Sykes of Blue Murder, 1989
Alice Cooper, 1986
Lars Ulrich of Metallica, 1985
John Doe, 1990
Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon, 1992
Myles Goodwyn of April Wine, 2001
John Mellencamp, 1999
Mike Campbell of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, 1999
Kenny Aronoff, 1999
Doyle Bramhall II, 2001
Jon Bon Jovi, 1986
Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, 1992
Randy Bachman, 2001
Little Steven, 1987
Stevie Salas, 1990
J.J. Cale, 2009
Joe Bonamassa, 2011
Tommy Emmanuel, 1994
Rob Baker of the Tragically Hip, 1997
John Petrucci of Dream Theater, 2010
Eric Johnson, 2001
Stu Hamm, 1991
Gene Simmons of Kiss, 1992
Ace Frehley from Kiss, 2008
David Lee Roth, 1994
Allan Holdsworth, 1983
John Mayall of the Bluesbreakers, 1988
Steve Vai, 1990
Tony Iommi of Heaven and Hell, 2007
Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1996
Geoff Tate of Queensryche, 1991
James Hetfield of Metallica, 1986
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 1990
Rick Richards of the Georgia Satellites, 1988
Andy McCoy and Sam Yaffa of Hanoi Rocks, 1984
Steve Morse, 1991
Slash of Guns N’ Roses, 1994
Brian May from Queen, 1993
Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, 1991
Jake E. Lee of Badlands, 1992
Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1997
John Fogerty, 1997
Joe Perry of Aerosmith, 1987
Rick Derringer, 1999
Robin Trower, 1990
Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, 1994
Mick Ronson, 1988
Geddy Lee of Rush, 2002
Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult, 1997
Michael Schenker, 1992
Vince Neil of Motley Crue, 1991
Vinnie Paul of Pantera, 1992
Joan Jett, 1992
Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, 1988
Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, 1989
Rob Halford of Judas Priest, 1984
Bill Henderson of Chilliwack, 1999
Paul Rodgers, 1997
R.L. Burnside, 1999
Guthrie Govan of the Aristocrats, 2015
Mick Mars of Mötley Crüe, 1985
Carlos Santana, 2011
Walter Trout, 2003
Rudy Sarzo of Quiet Riot, 1983
Rob Hirst of Midnight Oil, 2001
Tommy Aldridge, 2001
Donald “Duck” Dunn, 1985
Mark Farner of Grand Funk, 1991
Chris Robinson of Black Crowes, 1990
Jennifer Batten, 2002
Mike Fraser, 2014
Leo Kottke, 2002
Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, 2002
David Gogo, 1991
Booker T. Jones, 2016
Link Wray, 1997
James Reyne from Australian Crawl, 1988
Mike Rutherford of Genesis, 1983
Buddy Guy, 1991
Country Dick Montana of the Beat Farmers, 1990
Mike Cooley of the Drive-By Truckers, 2016
Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1986
Lindsay Mitchell of Prism, 1988
Buddy Miles, 2001
Eddie Money, 1988
Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith, 1983
Gaye Delorme, 1990
Dave Murray of Iron Maiden, 1984
Graham Bonnet of Alcatrazz, 1984
Mick Fleetwood of Fleetwood Mac, 2016
Doc Neeson of Angel City, 1985
Rik Emmett of Triumph, 1985
Sonny Landreth, 2016
Tosin Abasi of Animals as Leaders, 2016
Jeff Beck, 2001
Albert King, 1990
Johnny Ramone of the Ramones, 1992
Peter Frampton, 1987
Otis Rush, 1997
Gord Downie of the Tragically Hip, 1989
Leslie West of Mountain, 2002
Steve Howe of Yes, 2017
Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, 1983
Uli Jon Roth, 2016
Poison Ivy of the Cramps, 1990
Stevie Ray Vaughan, 1985
Greg Lake of ELP, 1992
Robert Plant, 1993
Malcolm Young and Brian Johnson of AC/DC, 1983
Warren Zevon, 1992
Tal Wilkenfeld, 2016
Steve Clark of Def Leppard, 1988
Ronnie Montrose, 1994
Danny Gatton, 1993
Alex Lifeson of Rush, 1992
Ann Wilson of Heart, 1985
J.J. Cale, 1990
Yngwie Malmsteen, 2014
Chris Cornell, 2008
Long John Baldry, 1985
Allan Holdsworth, 1983
Kim Mitchell, 1984
Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers, 1994
Derek Trucks, 1998
Susan Tedeschi, 1998
Joe Satriani, 2018
B.B. King, 1984
Albert Collins, 1985
Ronnie James Dio, 1985
Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, 1984
Dick Dale, 2000
Greg Allman, 1998
Dickey Betts, 2001
….with hundreds more to come
Gary and Dale will always have fans. health n
family 1st tho.
Hey Dale. Glad to see y’all taking some time to slow down a little. Back in 1983 we exchanged birth announcement’s for our daughters Ashley and Elizabeth. The last time we saw y’all was in Daytona back in the day. Gary and I go a ways back and would love to get together and share the life experience’s we all have had. Seems Gary and I have a lot of the same condition. Shoot the breeze and cause a reunion of our own, see pix’s of the grown children-grandchildren. Break bread and just R&R. Any who this is Doug “the Bug” Smith. You can, if you want ,message me on F/B. Doug Smith. Hope to hear for you both. God’s Peace always.
Great article…Thank you.