Oct 20, 1977

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines die in a plane crash in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Their brand of Southern rock influences many future country artists, leading to a 1994 tribute album, "Skynyrd Frynds"

Oct 21, 1977

Ronnie McDowell sings "The King Is Gone" on "The Midnight Special." The lineup also features Elvin Bishop, Van Morrison and Crystal Gayle, who offers "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" and "Ready For The Times To Get Better"

Oct 21, 1977

Gene Cotton records the pop hit "Like A Sunday In Salem (The Amos & Andy Song)" at Nashville's Quadraphonic Studios with Music City session players Kenny Buttrey, Bobby Ogdin, Steve Gibson and Shane Keister

Oct 21, 1977

"Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits" is certified gold by the RIAA

Oct 21, 1977

Glen Campbell and "Sesame Street" star Big Bird appear on the ABC-TV variety series "Donny And Marie"

Oct 21, 1977

Singer/songwriter Matthew Ramsey is born in Buchanan, Virginia. He becomes the lead singer of Old Dominion and writes Dierks Bentley's "Say You Do," Sam Hunt's "Make You Miss Me" and Kenny Chesney's "Save It For A Rainy Day"

Oct 21, 1977

Memphis coroner Jerry Francisco holds a press conference, where he confirms that eight prescription drugs were found in Elvis Presley's body during the autopsy

Oct 22, 1977

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers sing "Statues Without Hearts" and "I Don't Wanna Cry" on "Hee Haw." Music is also provided by Kenny Price, Buck Owens and Roy Clark, who plays "Orange Blossom Special" with banjo player Jimmy Hensley

Oct 22, 1977

Harmonica player Charlie McCoy performs the national anthem at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia. He's joined by Russell Hicks to close the event with "Take Me Home, Country Roads"

Oct 23, 1977

Aaron Tippin has his first daughter, Charla