Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1977 album Street Survivors became inseparably associated with the fatal plane crash that occurred three days after its release. The article recounts singer Ronnie Van Zant’s reported sense that events were turning against the band, while stressing that the group had also been creatively revitalised at the time.

A major factor was the arrival of 28-year-old guitarist and songwriter Steve Gaines, who co-wrote much of the album. Recording was difficult: initial sessions with producer Tom Dowd at Criteria Studios in Miami were rejected by management, prompting a dispute and a decision by Van Zant to remake the record at Studio One in Doraville.