Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd are an American rock group from Jacksonville, United States, active from 1964 to the present. They form in Jacksonville in 1964 under the name My Backyard, with Ronnie Van Zant on vocals, Gary Rossington on guitar, Allen Collins on guitar, Larry Junstrom on bass and Bob Burns on drums. The group later performs under several other names before taking the name Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968, a stylised reference to schoolteacher Leonard Skinner, who is known for enforcing strict grooming rules at their high school.

Early years and development

By the late 1960s, the band is established in the Jacksonville music scene and develops a sound that blends blues, country and British rock influences. Management changes help expand touring across the southern United States, and the group plays small venues while going through several line-up changes. In the early 1970s, Larry Junstrom leaves and Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke appear in various roles.

The band is discovered in 1972 by Al Kooper, who signs them to Sounds of the South, distributed by MCA Records, and produces their debut album. Leon Wilkeson briefly leaves during recording but returns soon after release. Ed King contributes bass and guitar parts and later remains as a guitarist after Wilkeson returns.

Albums, songs and success

The debut album, (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd), is released in 1973 and helps establish the group nationally, especially through “Free Bird”, which receives airplay and enters the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s popularity grows further through touring, including as an opening act on The Who’s Quadrophenia tour.

Second Helping follows in 1974 and includes “Sweet Home Alabama”, the group’s most commercially successful single in the United States and a response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man”. Although there is speculation about rivalry, the artists are reported to maintain mutual respect. “Sweet Home Alabama” remains the band’s only US top ten single.

In 1975, Bob Burns leaves because of mental health difficulties during touring and is replaced by Artimus Pyle. The third album, Nuthin' Fancy, is recorded under time pressure and receives mixed reactions within the group; Al Kooper leaves after it is completed. Ed King also leaves during the associated tour. By 1976, car accidents involving Gary Rossington and Allen Collins affect recording and touring, while personal and substance-related problems add to the instability.

Street Survivors, released in 1977, features Steve Gaines, who has recently joined and becomes an important creative force. The album includes “You Got That Right”, “I Know a Little” and “What’s Your Name”. Soon after its release, the band’s chartered aircraft runs out of fuel and crashes near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and several crew members, while others survive with serious injuries. The album later reaches high chart positions and is certified platinum, and its original cover image is replaced out of respect for the victims.

Breakup, reunion and later activity

After the crash, the group disbands. Surviving members briefly reunite in 1979 for an instrumental performance of “Free Bird” at Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam. In 1980, Rossington, Collins, Wilkeson and Powell form the Rossington Collins Band, which releases two albums before ending. Rossington and Collins later form the Rossington Band. Billy Powell performs with a Christian rock group, and Artimus Pyle forms the Artimus Pyle Band.

Allen Collins suffers severe personal and health problems, including a car accident in 1986 that leaves him paralysed. He dies in 1990. Lynyrd Skynyrd reform in 1987 for a reunion tour with surviving members and Johnny Van Zant on lead vocals. Because of Collins’ condition, he takes part only in a limited role. The reunion leads to legal disputes over use of the band name, with agreements that allocate touring revenue to the families of deceased members and place conditions on line-up composition.

The band releases Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 and The Last Rebel in 1993, with further personnel changes through the 1990s. Rickey Medlocke rejoins in 1996. Leon Wilkeson dies in 2001 and is replaced by Ean Evans. The group releases Vicious Cycle in 2003 and Thyrty in 2003, then signs with Roadrunner Records and releases God & Guns in 2009 and Last of a Dyin' Breed in 2012. Billy Powell dies in 2009 and is replaced by Peter Keys. Bob Burns dies in 2015 and Ed King dies in 2018.

In 2012, the band says it has stopped using Confederate flag imagery in performances, and it later stops using it entirely in 2019. In 2018, it begins the Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour, which continues beyond its billing as a final tour. Gary Rossington dies in 2023, ending the last surviving original member’s involvement, but the group continues and is working on new material.

Recognition and legacy

Lynyrd Skynyrd sell more than 38 million records in the United States and are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Rolling Stone ranks them No. 95 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and they are widely identified with Southern rock and related styles including acoustic rock, blues rock, boogie rock, classic rock, hard rock and rock.

Members associated with the group include Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom, Bob Burns, Greg T. Walker, Billy Powell, Randall Hall, Johnny Van Zant, Peter Keys, Cassie Gaines, Steve Gaines, Ed King, JoJo Billingsley, Michael Cartellone, Carol Chase, Mike Estes, Ean Evans, Leslie Hawkins, Dale Krantz-Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Artimus Pyle, Hughie Thomasson, Leon Wilkeson and Robert Kearns.