The line "the smell of death surrounds you" took on a whole new ugly meaning after Rossington survived but three bandmates, including Van Zant, perished.

I just happened to meet three guys that wanted to play rock and roll" — those would be his bandmates in Hootie &the Blowfish — before breaking off to have a solo country career.

I just happened to meet three guys that wanted to play rock and roll" — those would be his bandmates in Hootie & the Blowfish — before breaking off to have a solo country career.