Reba McEntire Pays Tribute to Fallen Bandmates on Anniversary of Tragic Plane Crash: Gone but Never Forgotten

Reba McEntire Honors Late Bandmates on 33rd Anniversary of Fatal Plane Crash

Reba McEntire. Rich Fury/ACMA2019/Getty Images for ACM

Reba McEntire paid tribute to eight of her former bandmates and crew members who passed away in a tragic plane crash over thirty years ago.

Taking to Instagram on Saturday, March 16, the 68-year-old singer wrote, "It's been 33 years since Heaven gained some amazing angels. Rest in peace, my friends."

Reba McEntire, a Grammy winner, recently posted a photo of a sunset in honor of her late friends. She mentioned their names: Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Jim Hammon, Terry Jackson, Tony Saputo, and Michael Thomas.

In her post, McEntire quoted lyrics from her song "For My Broken Heart" from 1991, expressing that despite her broken heart, the world continues to move forward.

A heartfelt tribute was paid to the eight members of McEntire's team who tragically passed away in March 1991 following a concert in San Diego. The band's plane crashed into a mountain near the border between the United States and Mexico after its wing hit a rock during the flight out of California.

Out of the 10 individuals on board during the crash, eight were members of McEntire's band.

Reba McEntire, The Voice coach, was in California with her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, when the accident happened. They were supposed to leave the next day. (The couple, who have a son named Shelby, ended their 26-year marriage in 2015.)

Reba McEntire Honors Late Bandmates on 33rd Anniversary of Fatal Plane Crash

Courtesy of Reba McEntire/Instagram

At the time, a rep for McEntire told the Los Angeles Times that she was “very close to all” of the individuals who passed away. “

In March 1991, the representative mentioned that Reba was extremely upset by the situation. It felt like losing a part of her family, and all she wanted was to return to Nashville.

During the same year, Reba poured her emotions into her For My Broken Heart album. This album has sold over four million copies and stands as one of her top-selling records to date.

McEntire has always honored her late friends, including her mother Jacqueline who passed away in March 2020. She expressed her belief that they were all reunited in Heaven and looking down on her.

On the 29th anniversary of losing her friends in a plane crash, McEntire took to Instagram to share her thoughts. She felt that the timing of her mother's passing and the tragic event was fitting. McEntire believes that her friends are now together in Heaven, watching over each other.

She added: “Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”

Editor's P/S:

Reba McEntire's heartfelt tribute to her lost bandmates and crew members is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of loss. The tragic plane crash that claimed their lives 33 years ago left an immeasurable void in McEntire's life, and her ongoing grief is evident in her emotional social media posts. The singer's resilience and strength, however, are also inspiring, as she continues to honor their memory and find ways to heal.

McEntire's journey through grief has been marked by both pain and growth. Her album "For My Broken Heart" became a testament to her struggle and pain, but it also served as a source of comfort for countless others who had experienced loss. Through her music, McEntire has found a way to channel her emotions and connect with others who have endured similar tragedies. Her unwavering belief in the afterlife and the reunion of loved ones in Heaven provides her with solace and hope, and it is a message that resonates with many who have lost loved ones.