A video has made the rounds on the internet over the past few weeks, appearing to show Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins playing shortly after the band’s fatal plane crash on October 20th, 1977. The footage was allegedly made at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, shown once to medical professionals, then shelved for nearly 50 years before the university recently digitized its records.

On the night of October 20th, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd chartered an airliner to fly from Greenville, SC, to Baton Rouge, LA, for a performance the following night at Louisiana State University. After the plane ran out of fuel, pilots attempted an emergency landing in a heavily wooded area outside Gillsburg, MS. Singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve’s older sister), the band’s road manager, pilot, and co-pilot were all killed on impact. Collins, guitarist Gary Rossington, bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, drummer Artimus Pyle, and backup vocalist Leslie Hawkins all survived with injuries of varying severity.

Of course, in today’s age of increasingly powerful AI technology, there is an immediate reaction to doubt the video’s authenticity. However, several factors give credence to its validity. The video was originally shared by vascular surgeon and author Dr. Craig A. Miller on his Substack, where he consequently defended the clip against claims it’s not real.

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Miller cites “Others with intimate knowledge of the events at the time have confirmed that this film was, in fact, made,” as well as other media from the time period that support this footage. Live photos from this time period show Collins with an orthopedic fixator stabilizing his left arm, just like in the video. Also, the quality of the video (and lack thereof, at times) is itself a refutation to any AI influence, as—in this current state—most artificial content has the same soft edges and burnt color palette. Lastly, Collins also has the correct number of fingers, a dead giveaway for any AI music content.

Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins, seen with a stabilizer on his left arm in 1977, photos via Dr. Craig A. Miller Substack

And, if it makes any difference, AI says it isn’t AI.

According to the description of the original video upload (which has since been removed from YouTube, but lives on in various social media repostings), this footage was made for a medical film documenting trauma recovery. Though the clip is undated, the original description claims it was filmed “only days after the crash.” Collins can be seen in a hospital outfit, strumming through some simple chords as one camera angle shows purple bruises along his fretting hand, his muscles flexing through his skin. At one point, he thumbs through the iconic lead of “Sweet Home Alabama”, ironic, given the riff was written and played on the record by Ed King, who left the band two years before the crash.

Below, watch purported footage of Allen Collins playing guitar in the hospital shortly after the fatal 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash. There’s a longer “Sweet Home Alabama” clip here. If you’re looking for a more in-depth dive into the band and the accident, put on Drive-By Truckers‘ 2001 double LP, Southern Rock Opera.