Reba McEntire took to Instagram to pay a heartfelt tribute to eight of his late bandmates and crew members, commemorating the tragic plane crash that claimed their lives more than 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 accident: 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 don’t think the world will stop…for my broken heart.”
The tribute honored the memories of the eight individuals who were part of McEntire’s team and tragically died after a concert in San Diego in March 1991. The fatal accident occurred as the plane attempted to depart California; his wing struck a rock, causing him to fall into a mountain near the US-Mexico border.
Although McEntire and her then-husband and manager, Narvel Blackstock, were scheduled to fly 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 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 go back to Nashville.”
Turning her pain into music, McEntire released her album, “For My Broken Heart,” later that year, which sold more than four million copies and is one of her best-selling records.
Over 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 feelings on Instagram, stating, “I know that they are all together in heaven and looking out for each other.”
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