Ronnie Van Zant (18)

Ronnie Van Zant
1948–1977
Lynyrd Skynyrd leader
Cause of Death: Plane crash

Life After Death: The success of the kings of Southern rock was barely interrupted by the plane crash that killed Van Zant and devastated his band three days after the release of their sixth album. Dozens of releases followed, ranging from an excellent box set to a screed of shoddy compilations; 26 million albums have been sold and "Freebird" has been played on the radio more than two million times; this year, Skynyrd will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Double Trouble: Skynyrd re-formed in 1987 with Van Zant's younger brother, Johnny, on vocals. This incarnation's albums are middling at best, but fans remain keen to hear the Ronnie-era hits live, reportedly to the tune of $100,000 a night -- of which Van Zant's estate receives a cut. Despite a legal agreement with the widows of Ronnie and guitarist Steve Gaines that the band must have at least three original members in order to use the name, after bassist Leon Wilkeson died in 2001 they continued with just two from the classic lineup. Peer Plaudits: Van Zant's life was the basis of the Drive-By Truckers' 2001 concept album Southern Rock Opera.