The Life & Death of Ronnie Van Zant: RIP RVZ

My father didn't fear death.  He used to be say to me "Ronnie, son, If I leave here tomorrow, Would you still remember me? For I must be traveling on, now, 'Cause there's too many places I've got to see."  A fine melodious voice.  That he died at the hands of a pistol was a supreme irony.  He hated guns.  He used to say "Ronnie, son, Oh, lemme tell you all about it, Hand guns are made for killin', They ain't no good for nothin' else, And if you like to drink your whiskey, You might even shoot yourself."  I wonder if Larry drank whiskey when he shot himself?  No matter.

RVZ ran his crew like he lived his life.  WIth love, care, humour, and a reckless wild abandon.  He was committed to not purging, and this cost him his life.  In his crew were two fifth columnists, one of whom we know was deeply involved in his murder.  The investigations are nearing completion.  One of those tasked with rounding up witnesses was susceptible to pressure, and when he told him he was to be summarily executed if he didn't confess, well, all I'll say is that he's still alive.  Justice will be served.

The Questions of Money were a solid crew, full of motivated workhorses.  All of them were there on merit.  A special thanks goes out to TomOfFinald, who was a superb RHM, and Keyfabe: the best LHM in the history of this thing of ours.

Did RVZ have enemies?  He had some, yes.  A man doesn't get through life standing up for so much without making enemies.  RVZ stood for doing things differently, innovation, street speaking, and taking a hard, unbending stance against purging.  His outrage at the senseless killing of Pacino is proof of this.

RVZ was the first to admit when he made a mistake, like when he shot Skorp's bodyguard.  Skorp, and a few others, had been picking his pocket.  RVZ had introduced a mug mandatory rule, so muggings were dished out!  RVZ had mugged Skorp just being the accidental BG shooting.  And, then, RVZ was shot dead.

Within seconds, a list of suspects was put together by some powerful friends of RVZ.  Minutes later, the culprit was identified.  He was wily, though.  And RVZ said to leave him alive - to give him a chance.

That's the kind of guy RVZ was: a nice guy.  A friend to all.

Ronnie, based on the factual chain of events you've described about your Father, can you confirm whether it was Skorp who murdered you?

Was RonnieVanZant wrong not to purge such a dangerous individual? 

I'm concerned for my wellbeing, and that of Mr Pig Porkchop. Are Detroit based Crewleaders safe from Skorp 'The Scorp' Eon?

Ken, I wili not confirm or deny that Skorp was involved in the murder, but I will say that the murderer will.be dead within a fortnight 

Ronnie, the son of the late RonnieVanZant, I was saddened with the news that your father had met his maker too early in his lifetime. He was a boat of excitement and always very protective of myself. With the lot of people biting at the bit to put me 6 feet under, your father stopped anyone who would even think about it. Ken, you think I would do such a heinous crime as to bite the hand that feeds me? Come on.

RonnieVanZant wasn't your ordinary leader. He stood up for his members, he held people at bay. Even when the world seemed to want to turn on little young Skorp, Ronnie's father put his neck on the line. For that, I will always respect the man.

Rest In Peace, RonnieVanZant.

I have an 80 million dollar prize for whoever can prove to me that a certain person who I shall not name was the one who killed RonnieVanZant.

This is a question of money and justice.

Ronnie was a great man, the best of men, arguably the greatest of men, working tirelessly day and night to keep his Questions safe and unpurged. How many other crew leaders can say the same? When he was asked to purge his flock, Ronnie would use his charisma and cunning to deflect the request.

Everyone would leave with a smile.

Except for Ben_Russo, who licks his lips and hands out unimpressive amounts of money anytime someone he doesn't like gets buried. Ben_Russo, please smile will you?

 I'd like to piggyback this memorial to take a quick moment to mourn one of my dearest friends and former colleagues. He was a good man, especially for having made me 5 million dollars richer. That was really nice of him. RIP.

Aug 27, 17:34:54    You received $5,000,000 in hitlist money for killing AlliedProWacker-2.
Aug 27, 17:34:54    You WACKED! AlliedProWacker-2.

Aug 27, 17:52:06    ezylppa_ozdrluidt tried to WACK! you.

Nice try @Paddy_Pitruzello. Was it a question of money? Yes. I respect the attempt. But it's going to take a bit more than what you've got to snag Finnish Tom's 5 million bounty, even weighed down by AWP-2's 5 million myself. 

Was it really a question of money? Or was it a question of life and death? Who knows... But our life on these streets continue...

It was fun while it lasted, good reads, good laughs. May your next lives be prosperous and full of fun in this wonderful mafia life!

Tune in next week for the adventures of Kuku and his marry band of rogues and roguettes.