Lynyrd Skynyrd

In 1976 Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd hit the UK music headlines by blowing the Rolling Stones off the stage at the Knebworth Fair. (See "Freebird -the movie"). They were incredibly tight after a gruelling American tour playing to packed stadiums across America, and enjoying UK and US chart successes with "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird". They made the most of the opportunity to show the Stones and a new UK audience how to rock their way!

Their influences were not only the blues and country, but Zeppelin, Hendrix and Cream all played their part in shaping Skynryd's sound. Founding member Ronnie Vant Zant always said that he wanted Skynryd to be the American version of the Rolling Stones.

The following year, the aeroplane they were travelling in ran out of fuel and crashed, killing Ronnie Vant Zant, singer and song writer, Steve Gaines, their incredibly talented guitar player who had just joined the band. Cassie Gaines, his sister and backing singer. The rest of the band suffered serious injury. Original members of the band, guitarist Allen Collins, and bassist Leon Wilkinson, have since died of unrelated illnesses. Tragically, Billy Powell has recently passed away.

Thankfully, after a long recovery, surviving members reformed Lynryd Skynryd. With Gary Rossington on guitar, Billy on piano, and Johnny Vant Zant (Ronnie's younger brother) on vocals, Lynyrd Skynrd are still making records and touring today, catch when they're next in town!

But until then enrich your lives by buying as many Lynyrd Skynyrd cd's and dvd's as you can!

If you would like to hire the Skyny Nyrds email screaminj@skyny-nyrds.co.uk