Deaths on October 20

Ronnie Van Zant

Died on October 20, 1977

Ronnie Van Zant, American singer-songwriter (b. 1948)

Ronald Wayne Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American musician known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of two other rock vocalists: current Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant and Donnie Van Zant, the founder and vocalist of 38 Special. He was the father of Tammy Van Zant and Melody Van Zant.

References

Ronnie Van Zant

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Events on 1977

23 Mar

Watergate scandal
The first of The Nixon Interviews (12 will be recorded over four weeks) are videotaped with British journalist David Frost interviewing former United States President Richard Nixon about the Watergate scandal and the Nixon tapes.
5 Jul

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Military coup in Pakistan: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, is overthrown.
4 Aug

Jimmy Carter
U.S. President Jimmy Carter signs legislation creating the United States Department of Energy.
15 Aug

Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
The Big Ear, a radio telescope operated by Ohio State University as part of the SETI project, receives a radio signal from deep space; the event is named the "Wow! signal" from the notation made by a volunteer on the project.
21 Nov

God Save the Queen
Minister of Internal Affairs Allan Highet announces that the national anthems of New Zealand shall be the traditional anthem "God Save the Queen" and "God Defend New Zealand".

Deaths on October 20

Ronnie Van Zant

Died on October 20, 1977

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1977

Watergate scandal

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Jimmy Carter

Search for extraterrestrial intelligence

God Save the Queen