Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. The group originally formed under the name My Backyard and included Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). Over the next several years, the band performed under various names and underwent multiple lineup changes while touring small venues. In 1968, they adopted the name Lynyrd Skynyrd, later becoming associated with the Southern rock genre. Their debut album, "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)", was released in 1973, by which time the lineup included Leon Wilkeson on bass, Billy Powell on keyboards, and Ed King on guitar. Bob Burns left in 1974 and was replaced by Artimus Pyle, while Ed King departed in 1975 and was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976. The band gained widespread recognition in the 1970s with songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird" and released five studio albums and one live album before their career was abruptly interrupted on October 20, 1977, when a chartered aircraft crashed in Mississippi. The crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and several members of the crew, while other band members were seriously injured. The album "Street Survivors" had been released just days earlier and later achieved significant commercial success following the accident.
The band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour featuring surviving members and Ronnie Van Zant's brother, Johnny Van Zant, as lead vocalist. Rickey Medlocke, who had previously worked with the band in the early 1970s, later rejoined in 1996. Over time, additional former members died either during or after their involvement with the group. In 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced a farewell tour, although touring activity continued beyond that point. At the time of Gary Rossington's death in 2023, work was underway on the band's fifteenth studio album, and no original members remained in the lineup. The band has sold more than 38 million records in the United States and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Rolling Stone ranked them No. 95 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and AllMusic has described them as a defining Southern rock band.
The band’s origins trace back to the early 1960s in Jacksonville, where Allen Collins played in a group called The Mods and Ronnie Van Zant performed with The Squires, later renamed Us. After competing against each other in a local battle of the bands, several of the musicians began collaborating. By mid-1964, Van Zant, Rossington, Burns, and Junstrom were playing together, later joined by Collins. The group went through several early names, including My Backyard, The Noble Five, and The One Percent, before adopting Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968. The name was a stylised reference to a schoolteacher, Leonard Skinner, known for enforcing strict grooming rules at their high school. By the late 1960s, the band had become established in the Jacksonville music scene and began developing a sound that blended blues, country, and British rock influences, forming what would later be identified as Southern rock. Management changes during this period helped expand their touring across the southern United States.
In the early 1970s, Lynyrd Skynyrd underwent further lineup changes, including the departure of Larry Junstrom and the addition of Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke in various roles. Medlocke, who had grown up alongside some of the members, contributed to the band’s development during this period. The group was discovered in 1972 by Al Kooper, who signed them to his label Sounds of the South, distributed by MCA Records, and produced their debut album. Although Leon Wilkeson briefly left during recording, he returned shortly after its release. Ed King contributed bass and guitar parts and later remained as a guitarist after Wilkeson’s return. The album "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)" was released in 1973 and achieved significant commercial success, particularly due to the song "Free Bird", which received national airplay and reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The band’s popularity increased further through touring, including as an opening act on The Who’s "Quadrophenia" tour. Their second album, "Second Helping", released in 1974, included "Sweet Home Alabama", which became their most commercially successful single and a response to Neil Young’s "Southern Man". Despite speculation about rivalry, the artists reportedly maintained mutual respect. During this period, the band’s albums frequently reached high sales levels, though "Sweet Home Alabama" remained their only top ten single in the United States. In 1975, drummer Bob Burns left after experiencing mental health difficulties during touring and was replaced by Artimus Pyle. Their third album, "Nuthin' Fancy", was recorded under time constraints and received mixed internal reactions, with producer Al Kooper departing after its completion. Guitarist Ed King also left during the associated tour.
By 1976, the band faced additional setbacks, including serious car accidents involving Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, which affected recording and touring schedules. Personal and substance-related issues also began to affect internal stability. Their 1977 album "Street Survivors" featured contributions from Steve Gaines, who had recently joined and became an important creative force within the group. The album included songs such as "You Got That Right", "I Know a Little", and "What's Your Name", and was intended to support a major upcoming tour. Shortly after its release, on October 20, 1977, the band’s chartered aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and several crew members, while others survived with serious injuries. Following the crash, "Street Survivors" achieved high chart positions and was certified platinum, and its original cover image was later replaced out of respect for the victims.
Following the accident, Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded. In 1979, surviving members briefly reunited for an instrumental performance of "Free Bird" at Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam. In 1980, Rossington, Collins, Wilkeson, and Powell formed the Rossington Collins Band, which released two albums before dissolving. Rossington and Collins later formed another project, the Rossington Band. Billy Powell performed with a Christian rock group during this period, while Artimus Pyle formed the Artimus Pyle Band. Allen Collins experienced significant personal tragedy and health issues, including a car accident in 1986 that left him paralysed. He died in 1990.
In 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed for a reunion tour featuring surviving members and new vocalist Johnny Van Zant. Due to Collins’ condition, he participated only in a limited role. The reunion led to legal disputes over the use of the band’s name, resulting in agreements that allocated touring revenues to the families of deceased members and imposed conditions on lineup composition. The band released "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and "The Last Rebel" in 1993, with additional lineup changes occurring throughout the 1990s. Rickey Medlocke rejoined in 1996, contributing to a renewed guitar-driven lineup alongside other long-term members and replacements.
Leon Wilkeson died in 2001 and was replaced by Ean Evans. The band released "Vicious Cycle" in 2003 and "Thyrty" in 2003, followed by continued touring activity. Billy Powell died in 2009 and was replaced by Peter Keys. The band signed with Roadrunner Records and released "God & Guns" in 2009, followed by "Last of a Dyin' Breed" in 2012. Bob Burns died in 2015, and Ed King died in 2018. In 2012, the band publicly stated that it had discontinued the use of Confederate flag imagery in its performances, later ceasing its use entirely in 2019.
In 2018, the band began the Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, which continued into subsequent years despite being billed as a final tour. Gary Rossington died in 2023, marking the end of the last surviving original member. Despite this, the band continued its activities and confirmed ongoing work on new material. In 2023, Dolly Parton released a cover of "Free Bird" on her album "Rockstar", featuring contributions from Lynyrd Skynyrd members and archival recordings of Ronnie Van Zant, as well as additional collaborative versions appearing on tribute projects.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd
Studio albums
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)
Second Helping (1974)
Nuthin' Fancy (1975)
Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
Street Survivors (1977)
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (1991)
The Last Rebel (1993)
Endangered Species (1994)
Twenty (1997)
Edge of Forever (1999)
Christmas Time Again (2000)
Vicious Cycle (2003)
God & Guns (2009)
Last of a Dyin' Breed (2012)
The band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour featuring surviving members and Ronnie Van Zant's brother, Johnny Van Zant, as lead vocalist. Rickey Medlocke, who had previously worked with the band in the early 1970s, later rejoined in 1996. Over time, additional former members died either during or after their involvement with the group. In 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced a farewell tour, although touring activity continued beyond that point. At the time of Gary Rossington's death in 2023, work was underway on the band's fifteenth studio album, and no original members remained in the lineup. The band has sold more than 38 million records in the United States and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Rolling Stone ranked them No. 95 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time", and AllMusic has described them as a defining Southern rock band.
The band’s origins trace back to the early 1960s in Jacksonville, where Allen Collins played in a group called The Mods and Ronnie Van Zant performed with The Squires, later renamed Us. After competing against each other in a local battle of the bands, several of the musicians began collaborating. By mid-1964, Van Zant, Rossington, Burns, and Junstrom were playing together, later joined by Collins. The group went through several early names, including My Backyard, The Noble Five, and The One Percent, before adopting Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968. The name was a stylised reference to a schoolteacher, Leonard Skinner, known for enforcing strict grooming rules at their high school. By the late 1960s, the band had become established in the Jacksonville music scene and began developing a sound that blended blues, country, and British rock influences, forming what would later be identified as Southern rock. Management changes during this period helped expand their touring across the southern United States.
In the early 1970s, Lynyrd Skynyrd underwent further lineup changes, including the departure of Larry Junstrom and the addition of Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke in various roles. Medlocke, who had grown up alongside some of the members, contributed to the band’s development during this period. The group was discovered in 1972 by Al Kooper, who signed them to his label Sounds of the South, distributed by MCA Records, and produced their debut album. Although Leon Wilkeson briefly left during recording, he returned shortly after its release. Ed King contributed bass and guitar parts and later remained as a guitarist after Wilkeson’s return. The album "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)" was released in 1973 and achieved significant commercial success, particularly due to the song "Free Bird", which received national airplay and reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The band’s popularity increased further through touring, including as an opening act on The Who’s "Quadrophenia" tour. Their second album, "Second Helping", released in 1974, included "Sweet Home Alabama", which became their most commercially successful single and a response to Neil Young’s "Southern Man". Despite speculation about rivalry, the artists reportedly maintained mutual respect. During this period, the band’s albums frequently reached high sales levels, though "Sweet Home Alabama" remained their only top ten single in the United States. In 1975, drummer Bob Burns left after experiencing mental health difficulties during touring and was replaced by Artimus Pyle. Their third album, "Nuthin' Fancy", was recorded under time constraints and received mixed internal reactions, with producer Al Kooper departing after its completion. Guitarist Ed King also left during the associated tour.
By 1976, the band faced additional setbacks, including serious car accidents involving Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, which affected recording and touring schedules. Personal and substance-related issues also began to affect internal stability. Their 1977 album "Street Survivors" featured contributions from Steve Gaines, who had recently joined and became an important creative force within the group. The album included songs such as "You Got That Right", "I Know a Little", and "What's Your Name", and was intended to support a major upcoming tour. Shortly after its release, on October 20, 1977, the band’s chartered aircraft ran out of fuel and crashed near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and several crew members, while others survived with serious injuries. Following the crash, "Street Survivors" achieved high chart positions and was certified platinum, and its original cover image was later replaced out of respect for the victims.
Following the accident, Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded. In 1979, surviving members briefly reunited for an instrumental performance of "Free Bird" at Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam. In 1980, Rossington, Collins, Wilkeson, and Powell formed the Rossington Collins Band, which released two albums before dissolving. Rossington and Collins later formed another project, the Rossington Band. Billy Powell performed with a Christian rock group during this period, while Artimus Pyle formed the Artimus Pyle Band. Allen Collins experienced significant personal tragedy and health issues, including a car accident in 1986 that left him paralysed. He died in 1990.
In 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed for a reunion tour featuring surviving members and new vocalist Johnny Van Zant. Due to Collins’ condition, he participated only in a limited role. The reunion led to legal disputes over the use of the band’s name, resulting in agreements that allocated touring revenues to the families of deceased members and imposed conditions on lineup composition. The band released "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" and "The Last Rebel" in 1993, with additional lineup changes occurring throughout the 1990s. Rickey Medlocke rejoined in 1996, contributing to a renewed guitar-driven lineup alongside other long-term members and replacements.
Leon Wilkeson died in 2001 and was replaced by Ean Evans. The band released "Vicious Cycle" in 2003 and "Thyrty" in 2003, followed by continued touring activity. Billy Powell died in 2009 and was replaced by Peter Keys. The band signed with Roadrunner Records and released "God & Guns" in 2009, followed by "Last of a Dyin' Breed" in 2012. Bob Burns died in 2015, and Ed King died in 2018. In 2012, the band publicly stated that it had discontinued the use of Confederate flag imagery in its performances, later ceasing its use entirely in 2019.
In 2018, the band began the Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, which continued into subsequent years despite being billed as a final tour. Gary Rossington died in 2023, marking the end of the last surviving original member. Despite this, the band continued its activities and confirmed ongoing work on new material. In 2023, Dolly Parton released a cover of "Free Bird" on her album "Rockstar", featuring contributions from Lynyrd Skynyrd members and archival recordings of Ronnie Van Zant, as well as additional collaborative versions appearing on tribute projects.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd
Studio albums
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)
Second Helping (1974)
Nuthin' Fancy (1975)
Gimme Back My Bullets (1976)
Street Survivors (1977)
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (1991)
The Last Rebel (1993)
Endangered Species (1994)
Twenty (1997)
Edge of Forever (1999)
Christmas Time Again (2000)
Vicious Cycle (2003)
God & Guns (2009)
Last of a Dyin' Breed (2012)
