Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd got its first break in the late 60's, landing the opening spot on a tour featuring Strawberry Alarm Clock. Formed in 1964 by a group of Jacksonville, Florida high school students, Skynyrd produced its first classic a...more Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd got its first break in the late 60's, landing the opening spot on a tour featuring Strawberry Alarm Clock. Formed in 1964 by a group of Jacksonville, Florida high school students, Skynyrd produced its first classic album in 1973. The band averaged an album a year, tweaked the original lineup with a trio of female backup singers and became famous for its intense live shows and backstage antics. On October 20, 1977, the band's private plane crashed in rural Mississippi, killing Ronnie Van Zant, guitar player Steve Gaines and back-up singer Cassie Gaines and seriously injuring all the other band members. Without Van Zant, Skynyrd collapsed. Original members played a reunion show in 1979 and went on to other projects, but a 1987 tribute tour featuring vocalist Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's younger brother, re-ignited loyal fan interest. The reconstituted Skynyrd continues to tour and record a mixture of new and old material, including "Sweet Home Alabama" and the oft-requested "Free Bird," an immortal favorite from the 1973 album....less |
