Ken Peden

1953–2023

Showco Sound Engineer · Lynyrd Skynyrd Crash Survivor

Ken Peden was part of the Showco crew that brought live sound to the road. His story includes years of touring work, a connection with Ronnie Van Zant that led to mixing Skynyrd’s stage monitors, and survival of the October 20, 1977 plane crash.

From Showco to Skynyrd

Ken joined Showco in Dallas in 1974. In his interview with The Stoned Roadie Show, he recalls coming to the company to learn how to build and operate a sound system. He stayed with the company and went on the road, working with artists including David Bowie, The Kinks, Joe Cocker, and Johnny and Edgar Winter.

Ken remembers Ronnie Van Zant hearing his work at a Day on the Green concert in Oakland and asking him to handle sound for Skynyrd that day. After Ken gave Ronnie his Showco card, the connection eventually brought him onto the band’s touring crew as a monitor engineer.

October 20, 1977

Ken was among the Showco survivors of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash. In the interview, he recalls the engines stopping, the aircraft descending, and the sound of the treetops striking the plane. He says he lost consciousness and later became aware of standing outside the wreckage.

Ken describes setting out with Artimus Pyle and another survivor to find help, making their way toward a light through the dark countryside. They reached a farmhouse, where help was summoned. He also recalls the hospital staff waiting with gurneys when he arrived.

According to Ken’s recollection, he spent that night in the hospital. His parents had heard about the crash on the radio and came to McComb without knowing whether he was alive. He remembers being released the next morning and going home with them.

A Career Beyond Skynyrd

Ken continued touring after the crash, mixing monitors and front-of-house sound. FOH’s memorial article records work with Showco, D.B. Sound and Sound Image, and artists including James Taylor, The Who, Blondie, Journey and Heart. His career also included a long run with Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo. He retired in 2014.

In his interview with Gary James for ClassicBands, Ken looks back on more than forty years on the road and emphasizes the discipline of putting the work first.

Ken died on August 13, 2023, at age 70. His career is remembered here alongside his firsthand testimony as a crash survivor.

Career Timeline

Dates and roles below follow Ken’s own LinkedIn work history.

March 1974–December 1980 · Showco, Dallas
System technician, monitor engineer and front-of-house engineer. Ken listed tours with David Bowie, The Kinks, Blondie, Joe Cocker, Bread, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Who and Led Zeppelin. He credited mentors Jack Maxson, Buford Jones, John “JB” Blasuuta and M.L. Procise.

January 1980–February 1984 · Recording studios in Northern California
Recording engineer at Twilight Studios, Ayre Studios, Village Recorders and Super Sound, as listed in his profile.

1984–1990 · Nissan, Southern Mississippi
General manager, finance manager and sales manager.

1990–1991 · D.B. Sound, Chicago
System engineer, monitor engineer and monitor technician on the MC Hammer tour.

1991–2000 · ProRoadDog, Nashville
Tour manager, production manager, front-of-house engineer and monitor engineer for various Nashville artists.

2000–2001 · Sound Image, San Diego County
Monitor engineer for Clint Black and a brief front-of-house assignment with Something Corporate.

May 2001–May 2012 · Pat Benatar
Monitor engineer.

June–July 2012 · Heart
Touring monitor engineer.

August 2012–August 2014 · ProRoadDog
Front-of-house and monitor engineer.

Retired in August 2014
Ken called himself a “Retired Road Dog” and wrote about making time for family and personal interests.

In His Own Words

Watch Ken tell the story himself—from his early Showco days to the crash, finding help, and the days that followed.

Watch Ken Peden’s full interview on The Stoned Roadie Show

The crash account above summarizes Ken’s personal recollections in the video interview.

Further Reading

FOH: In Memoriam — Ken Peden, 1953–2023

Gary James’ interview with Ken Peden — ClassicBands

Ken Peden’s LinkedIn profile

Related Archive Pages

Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1975–1977 · Donnie “DK” Kretzschmar · In Heavenly Concert