Lynyrd Skynyrd endured one of the worst tragedies in music history on Oct. 20, 1977, when a plane carrying the band and their entourage crashed in Mississippi, killing several members of the group.

There was no shortage of talent or personalities among the musicians in ‘70s Lynyrd Skynyrd. But unlike some other huge bands of that era, songs not people were the real stars of Skynyrd. It’s why ...