While on tour for his 1990 album, he suffered a great loss when one of his band’s two charter jet planes crashed near San Diego, Calif. on March 16, 1991. Eight member of his band died in the accident, along with the pilot and co-pilot.
“He was very close to everyone,” a spokesman said at the time. “Some of them have been with her for years. Reba was completely devastated by it. It’s like losing a part of your family.”
Despite the tragedy, he took the stage the 63rd Academy Awards just a few days later, on March 25, to perform his Best Original Song nominee. His sixteenth album, For My Broken Heartwas released in October and is dedicated to those who died in the accident.