Difference between revisions of "Lynyrd Skynyrd"
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| − | '''Lynyrd Skynyrd''' was a | + | '''Lynyrd Skynyrd''' was a 1970s Southern rock band from Jacksonville that sang hit songs such as "[[Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd song)|Sweet Home Alabama]]" and "[[Free Bird]]". Tragedy struck the band on October 20, 1977, when their plane from Greenville, [[South Carolina]] to [[Baton Rouge]], [[Louisiana]] crashed into a swamp in [[Mississippi]]. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist Steve Gaines and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines were killed along with manager Dean Kilpatrick. Both pilots were also killed. Other members of the band suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor. The crash was blamed on the plane running out of fuel. |
| − | + | "Free Bird" is ranked 407 on ''Rolling Stone'' magazine's 2021 listing of the top 500 songs of all time.<ref>https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-30065/run-dmc-sucker-mcs-30161/</ref> Both "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" have some tremendous guitar solos in them. Their profound "[[Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd song|Simple Man]]" on their debut album continues to have a large following. | |
| − | + | Currently, the band survives with Van Zant's brother Johnny as its lead vocalist and original members Gary Rossington (guitar) and Billy Powell (piano). | |
| − | + | While Skynyrd's songs vary from issue to issue politically it is believed by many that the current band, which has moved towards more of a country vibe, is fairly [[conservative]]. | |
| − | " | + | With regards to the original band in the 1970s, "Sweet Home Alabama]]" has been called one of the [[Essay:Greatest Conservative Songs|most conservative songs]] in rock history because of lyrics such as "[[Watergate]] does not bother me" and its criticism of former [[Alabama]] [[Democrat Party|Democrat]] governor and [[segregation]] proponent [[George Wallace]]. The song was written to reject [[Canadian]] rocker [[Neil Young]]'s "Southern Man", in which he paints southerners broadly as "racists". At the beginning of "Sweet Home Alabama", Ronnie Van Zant sang the verses: |
| − | |||
| − | |||
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| − | + | :"Well I heard Mister Young sing about her | |
| + | :Well, I heard ole Neil put her down | ||
| + | :Well, I hope Neil Young will remember | ||
| + | :A Southern man don't need him around anyhow" | ||
| + | Lynyrd Skynyrd is also famous for the flying of [[Confederacy|Confederate]] flags at concerts as a sign of pride and heritage to southerners, even though many pretend to be offended. | ||
| − | [[Category:Rock | + | == Song recordings == |
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LwcvjNJTuM Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird (Official Audio)] | ||
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-35W_FWCT9Q Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (Audio)] | ||
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eNoms9wsGc Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man (Audio)] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == External links == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E2YncA4UME Lynyrd Skynyrd: Groundbreaking Documentary Of A Legendary Band], Video | ||
| + | |||
| + | == References == | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Rock Bands]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Florida]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:59, November 21, 2025
Lynyrd Skynyrd was a 1970s Southern rock band from Jacksonville that sang hit songs such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". Tragedy struck the band on October 20, 1977, when their plane from Greenville, South Carolina to Baton Rouge, Louisiana crashed into a swamp in Mississippi. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist Steve Gaines and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines were killed along with manager Dean Kilpatrick. Both pilots were also killed. Other members of the band suffered injuries ranging from serious to minor. The crash was blamed on the plane running out of fuel.
"Free Bird" is ranked 407 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2021 listing of the top 500 songs of all time.[1] Both "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" have some tremendous guitar solos in them. Their profound "Simple Man" on their debut album continues to have a large following.
Currently, the band survives with Van Zant's brother Johnny as its lead vocalist and original members Gary Rossington (guitar) and Billy Powell (piano).
While Skynyrd's songs vary from issue to issue politically it is believed by many that the current band, which has moved towards more of a country vibe, is fairly conservative.
With regards to the original band in the 1970s, "Sweet Home Alabama]]" has been called one of the most conservative songs in rock history because of lyrics such as "Watergate does not bother me" and its criticism of former Alabama Democrat governor and segregation proponent George Wallace. The song was written to reject Canadian rocker Neil Young's "Southern Man", in which he paints southerners broadly as "racists". At the beginning of "Sweet Home Alabama", Ronnie Van Zant sang the verses:
- "Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
- Well, I heard ole Neil put her down
- Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
- A Southern man don't need him around anyhow"
Lynyrd Skynyrd is also famous for the flying of Confederate flags at concerts as a sign of pride and heritage to southerners, even though many pretend to be offended.
Song recordings
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird (Official Audio)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - Sweet Home Alabama (Audio)
- Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man (Audio)