Released on October 17, 1977, the original pressing of the cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd album “Street Survivors” had a photograph of the band standing in flames. Eerily, Steve Gaines’ (in the middle) eyes were closed and his head appears to be engulfed in the flames.
Gaines and Ronnie Van Zant both died tragically in a plane crash three days after the albums release on October 20, 1977. Out of respect for the deceased (and at the request of Teresa Gaines, Steve’s widow), MCA Records withdrew the original cover and replaced it with a similar image of the band against a simple black background.
Thirty years later, the deluxe CD version of “Street Survivors” restored the original “flames” cover. Another album cover fact which I’m sure it was a sarcastic gesture is Ronnie Van Zant wearing a Neil Young t-shirt on the album cover. Click photo or link below to read about the “Sweet Home Alabama” rivalry…
