In 1991, Reba McEntire was devastated after eight of her bandmates and crew members died in a tragic plane crash. Today, the musician is reflecting on the loss and paid tribute to her late friends on social media on the 33rd anniversary of the tragedy.
Taking to her official Instagram account, the country legend shared an image of a sky with the text "In Memory" with the names of those who died on that tragic day: Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Jim Hammon, Terry Jackson, Tony Saputo, and Michael Thomas.
In the caption, McEntire wrote, "33 years today since Heaven gained some great angels. Rest in peace, my friends."
What Happened to Reba McEntire's Bandmates?
According to Taste of Country, Reba McEntire and her bandmates performed at a private event in San Diego, Calif., on March 16, 1991.
At the time, they were scheduled to fly to Fort Wayne, Ind., for their next concert on two separate planes.
The singer's bandmates and some of the crew members of the tour flew out first, while McEntire, her husband at the time Narvel Blackstock, and her stylist Sandi Spika, opted to stay in the city and decided that they would fly the next day.
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The first aircraft got into a devastating accident just 10 miles from the airport. The tip of the wing of the airplane reportedly hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, leading to the crash that claimed the lives of 10 people on board.
Since McEntire lost her band in the crash, some of her musician friends, like Dolly Parton and Vince Gill, offered their bands to her so she could finish her tour, but she chose to cancel the remainder of the trek.
Reba McEntire's Best-Selling Album Was Dedicated to Her Late Bandmates
After the devastating incident, Reba McEntire sure if she could continue singing again, but ultimately Reba McEntire recorded and released the album For My Broken Heart, which was dedicated to her late friends.
It became her best-selling album in her career, selling four million copies.
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