There's Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Randy Rhoads from Ozzy Osbourne's band, John Denver and Jim Croce. May they all rest in peace....
I think It was Lake Mendota. Could have been Monona, but I never remember. I'm now thinking Monona, because that's really on the edge of the City. Mendota, is Downtown, and on Campus, I think?
I looked, and It was Lake Monona, and It was on Dec. 10th 1967 a total of 6 people died on the plane, and one survived somehow. A memorial Is on the lawn at the area on Lake Monona. It states that It was the only show he ever missed, and was warned about bad weather, but didn't want to disapoint his fans In Madison. Sad. I still whistle "Dock of the Bay"
On August 27, 1990, all of the musicians boarded four helicopters bound for Chicago, which were waiting on a nearby golf course. According to a witness, there was reportedly haze and fog of varying intensity with patches of low clouds. Despite the conditions, the pilots were instructed to fly over a 1000-foot ski hill.
I was always under the impression the helicopter hit high voltage transmission lines causing them to crash into the side of the hill.
Worst part they were only going to Chicago Meigs Field, they could have taken limos in the crappy weather.
Wow, it's amazing the things we remember. Back in the early 80's I was flying to my sisters in Vermillion South Dakota for Christmas. From Lincoln Nebraska (I think) to Sioux City Iowa I was in a 8 seat little plane. Terrifying as the weather wasn't that great. Got there just fine but the next morning my brother-in-law told me the plane had crashed later that evening. The pilot and co-pilot were the only two on board and they were killed. Sad.
Mary-rumor has it that Stevie Ray Vaughan's older bother, Jimmie gave his seat so SRV see his girlfriend in Chicago.
What's ironic, the last song of the night was an all star jam featuring Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and both of the Vaughan Brothers. They played "Sweet Home Chicago".
On a personal irony, I was keen on going to this show. Didn't go due the lack of fundage. I had spent to much money on three concerts less a month prior SRV's final show. (Rush, Robert Plant and Aerosmith-all at Alpine Valley).
Shortly after SRV's death I did take a trip back to Alpine Valley to pay my respects to this gifted guitarist.
Now there is something I do know. Wasn't it right around the time when Sittin on the Dock of the Bay was becoming a hit?
ReplyDeleteHow many rock stars have been killed by light aircraft? Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. Stevie Ray Vaughan.
ReplyDeleteThere's Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Randy Rhoads from Ozzy Osbourne's band, John Denver and Jim Croce. May they all rest in peace....
ReplyDeleteHe should have stayed sitting on the dock of the bay......
ReplyDeleteMary, the song was released just after he died......
ReplyDeleteStevie Ray Vaughan, another who died in Wisconsin at Alpine Valley in a helicopter crash taking off in the fog....
ReplyDeleteThanks SER.
ReplyDeleteI think It was Lake Mendota. Could have been Monona, but I never remember. I'm now thinking Monona, because that's really on the edge of the City. Mendota, is Downtown, and on Campus, I think?
ReplyDeleteI looked, and It was Lake Monona, and It was on Dec. 10th 1967 a total of 6 people died on the plane, and one survived somehow. A memorial Is on the lawn at the area on Lake Monona. It states that It was the only show he ever missed, and was warned about bad weather, but didn't want to disapoint his fans In Madison. Sad. I still whistle "Dock of the Bay"
ReplyDeleteOn August 27, 1990, all of the musicians boarded four helicopters bound for Chicago, which were waiting on a nearby golf course. According to a witness, there was reportedly haze and fog of varying intensity with patches of low clouds. Despite the conditions, the pilots were instructed to fly over a 1000-foot ski hill.
ReplyDeleteI was always under the impression the helicopter hit high voltage transmission lines causing them to crash into the side of the hill.
Worst part they were only going to Chicago Meigs Field, they could have taken limos in the crappy weather.
SER - wasn't Eric Clapton in the other helicopter?
ReplyDeleteWow, it's amazing the things we remember. Back in the early 80's I was flying to my sisters in Vermillion South Dakota for Christmas. From Lincoln Nebraska (I think) to Sioux City Iowa I was in a 8 seat little plane. Terrifying as the weather wasn't that great. Got there just fine but the next morning my brother-in-law told me the plane had crashed later that evening. The pilot and co-pilot were the only two on board and they were killed. Sad.
ReplyDeleteLaverne: It's safer flying than it is driving.
ReplyDeleteShirley: No one ever fell 30,000 feet out of a DeSoto.
Mary-rumor has it that Stevie Ray Vaughan's older bother, Jimmie gave his seat so SRV see his girlfriend in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteWhat's ironic, the last song of the night was an all star jam featuring Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy and both of the Vaughan Brothers. They played "Sweet Home Chicago".
On a personal irony, I was keen on going to this show. Didn't go due the lack of fundage. I had spent to much money on three concerts less a month prior SRV's final show. (Rush, Robert Plant and Aerosmith-all at Alpine Valley).
Shortly after SRV's death I did take a trip back to Alpine Valley to pay my respects to this gifted guitarist.
I do have a taped bootleg of the final show.
SER - wasn't Eric Clapton in the other helicopter? Yes
ReplyDeleteAlong SRV there were three members of Clapton's entourage.