Sept. 14 celebrates the day Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Steve Gaines was brought into the world. He would have been 63 years old, but unfortunately died in Oct. 1977 at age 28 in the infamous plane crash that killed numerous members of the band.

Gaines joined Skynyrd in 1975, after his sister Cassie -- already employed as one of the group's backup singers -- recommended him for the job. Although Gaines only played on one of the band's studio albums (1977's 'Street Survivors'), the legacy he left behind in his brief time with the group will most likely never be forgotten by classic rock fans.

 

Watch Lynyrd Skynyrd Perform 'Sweet Home Alabama' in 1977

More From Ultimate Classic Rock