'Free Bird' and an opening slot on the Who's 1973 Quadrophenia tour gave Lynyrd Skynyrd a devoted following, which helped its second album, 1974's Second Helping, become its breakthrough hit. 'Free Bird' earned Lynyrd Skynyrd their first national exposure and it became one of the staples of album-rock radio, still receiving airplay nearly 25 years after its release. The group became notorious for their triple guitar attack, which was showcased on 'Free Bird,' a tribute to the recently deceased Duane Allman.

Kooper produced the group's 1973 debut, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, which was recorded after former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King joined the band. With drummer Bob Burns, Lynyrd Skynyrd began playing throughout the South.įor the first few years, the group had little success, but producer Al Kooper signed the band to MCA after seeing them play at an Atlanta club called Funocchio's in 1972. Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair. While in high school in Jacksonville, Fla., Ronnie VanZant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed My Backyard. Skynyrd split up after the plane crash, but they reunited a decade later, becoming a popular concert act in the early '90s and beyond. Sadly, it wasn't until he was killed in a tragic plane crash in 1977 along with two other band members that many listeners began to realize his talents. Throughout the band's early records, VanZant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty that had more in common with country than rock 'n' roll.ĭuring the height of Skynyrd's popularity in the mid-'70s, however, VanZant's talents were overshadowed by the group's gritty, greasy blues-rock. For many, Lynyrd Skynyrd's redneck image tended to obscure the songwriting skills of its leader, Ronnie VanZant. They may have jammed endlessly on stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country.

Instead, they were a hard-living, hard-driving rock 'n' roll band. Skynyrd never relied on the jazzy improvisations of the Allman Brothers. Lynyrd Skynyrd was the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard rock swagger.

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