Shark Bites: Skynyrd Drummer Artimus Pyle Talks to Zito About Plane Crash and New Movie “Street Survivors”s

The Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash of 1977 has been pretty well documented.  There have been some great documentaries on the subject, but I thought this was pretty interesting.

The new movie STREET SURVIVORS: The True Story of The Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash tells the story thru one of the survivors, drummer Artimus Pyle, who not only survived the fatal crash that claimed the life of guitarist Steve Gaines and the band’s founder and frontman Ronnie Van Zant, but who also rescued the remaining survivors out of the plane wreckage before seeking help in rural Louisiana.

In my interview with Artimus, he tells me about living through the crash, how tough it was making the movie, band members suing him, and things you wouldn’t know about Steve Gaines and Ronnie Van Zant.  Listen below.

Zito’s Favorite Southern Rock Bands (in no particular order):

• The Allman Brothers Band

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  NEW YORK - MARCH 12: Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes and Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers Band perform at the Beacon Theatre on March 12, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Cory Schwartz/Getty Images)

• ZZ Top

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  26 Jan 1997: ZZ Top performs during the half-time show for Super Bowl XXXI between the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Packers won the game, 35-21.

• Lynyrd Skynyrd

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  Guitarist Rickey Medlocke and singer Johnny Van Zant of American southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd perform on stage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, 7th December 1999. (Photo by Scott Harrison/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
• .38 Special

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  HYANNIS, MA - MAY 30: .38 Special performs on stage at the Finish Line and Victory Celebration Party during the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port 2015 on May 30, 2015 in Hyannis, Massachusetts. (Photo by Paul Marotta/Getty Images)

• November 19, 2021: Molly Hatchet

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  Southern rock legends Molly Hatchet will perform at the legendary Tampa Brass Mug. Those looking for an intimate setting with great sound, should jump on this opportunity!

• Marshall Tucker Band

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  INDIO, CA - MAY 01: (L-R) Musicians Chris Hicks, Rick Willis and Doug Gray of The Marshall Tucker Band perform onstage during 2016 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at Empire Polo Club on May 01, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
• Creedence Clearwater Revival

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  April 1970: American country rock group Creedence Clearwater Revival. From left to right; Doug Clifford, Tom Fogerty, Stu Cook and John Fogerty. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)

• Kings of Leon

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  GLASTONBURY, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 27: Kings of Leon pose backstage at Glastonbury Festival wearing Hunter Wellies in support of the official Glastonbury charity WaterAid in Glastonbury, England on 27 June 2008 (Photo by Tim Whitby/Getty Images for Hunter Wellington Boots)

• Georgia Satellites

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  INDIO, CA - APRIL 27: (L-R) Fred McNeal and Bruce Smith of The Georgia Satellites performs onstage during 2018 Stagecoach California's Country Music Festival at the Empire Polo Field on April 27, 2018 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Stagecoach)
• The Black Crowes

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  NEW YORK - OCTOBER 31: Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes performs at Best Buy Theater on October 31, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Cory Schwartz/Getty Images)

• Zac Brown Band

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  ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 10: Gregg Allman, Zac Brown, and Vince Gill perform during All My Friends: Celebrating the Songs & Voice of Gregg Allman at The Fox Theatre on January 10, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)