Lynyrd Skynyrd Sue Former Member Over 1977 Plane Crash Biopic

(hennemusic) The surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd have filed a lawsuit against former bandmate and drummer Artimus Pyle over his plans to release a biopic depicting the 1977 plane crash that killed six people, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines.

Rolling Stone reports guitarist Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant's brother and lead singer Johnny Van Zant, and the estates of other Skynyrd members killed in the crash were among those who filed the lawsuit against Pyle and co-producer Cleopatra Records in Manhattan on June 16.

In the suit, Lynyrd Skynyrd argues that Pyle "is free to exploit his own personal life story" for the film, but the biopic is in danger of violating "a 1988 consent order" that members - Pyle included - agreed to concerning control of the Lynyrd Skynyrd copyright.

The order states that "No such exploitation of life story rights is authorized which purports to be a history of the 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' band, as opposed to the life story of the applicable individual." Read more here.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Music, DVDs, Books and more Lynyrd Skynyrd T-shirts and Posters More Lynyrd Skynyrd News Share this article Related Stories Lynyrd Skynyrd's Johnny Van Zant's Offered Hopeful Message Following Daughter's Medical Emergency (2024 In Review) Christmas Time Again With Lynyrd Skynyrd In The Studio Lynyrd Skynyrd In The Studio For 'Second Helping' 50th Anniversary (2024 In Review) All-Star Lynyrd Skynyrd Record May Be Coming (2024 In Review) Kid Rock and Nickelback To Rock The Country With Lynyrd Skynyrd and More