Reba McEntire Mourns Death of 8 Bandmates 33 Years After 1991 Plane Crash: 'Rest in Peace'
Reba McEntire took to Instagram to pay a heartfelt tribute to eight of her late bandmates and crew members, commemorating the tragic plane crash that claimed their lives over three decades ago.
On Saturday, McEntire, 68, shared a post marking the 33rd anniversary of the devastating event. Alongside a serene sunset photo, she wrote, "33 years today since Heaven gained some great angels. Rest in peace, my friends."
The GRAMMY-winning artist then listed the names of those lost in the crash: Chris Austin, Kirk Cappello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Jim Hammon, Terry Jackson, Tony Saputo, and Michael Thomas.
Referencing lyrics from her 1991 song, "For My Broken Heart," written in response to the tragedy, McEntire expressed, "I guess the world ain’t gonna stop … for my broken heart."
The tribute honored the memories of the eight individuals who were part of McEntire’s team and tragically perished after a concert in San Diego in March 1991. The fatal crash occurred as the plane attempted to depart California; its wing struck a rock, causing it to crash into a mountain near the United States and Mexico border.
Although McEntire and her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, were scheduled to fly out the next day, they were not on board during the accident. Reflecting on the tragedy, a representative for McEntire told the Los Angeles Times at the time that she considered the deceased as family, stating, "Reba is totally devastated by this. It’s like losing part of your family. Right now, she just wants to get back to Nashville."
Turning her grief into music, McEntire released her album, "For My Broken Heart," later that year, which sold over four million copies and stands as one of her best-selling records.
Throughout the years, she has continued to honor her late friends, expressing her belief that they are reunited in Heaven. In March 2020, following the death of her mother, Jacqueline, McEntire shared her sentiments on Instagram, stating, "I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other."
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