Lynyrd Skynyrd (music group)

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band originally formed in 1964 by singer Ronnie Van Zant (1948–1977) and guitarists Allen Collins (1952–1990) and Gary Rossington (1951—). The band later enlisted drummer Bob Burns (1950–2015), bassist Leon Wilkeson (1952–2001), keyboardist Billy Powell (1952–2009), guitarist Ed King (1949—), and several other skilled musicians.

The band's debut album, Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd (1973), was a critical and commercial success, selling more than one million copies. The album features one of the band's most popular songs, "Free Bird," a tribute to Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers. Lynyrd Skynyrd released five more albums throughout the 1970s and was a hugely popular act up until the tragic death of lead singer Van Zant in 1977. The group decided to disband after this, but reunited in 1987 with Van Zant's younger brother Johnny taking over vocals. The band spent the next few decades touring and recording with various lineups. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Early Career

Van Zant, Collins, and Rossington formed Lynyrd Skynyrd, originally called My Backyard, in Jacksonville, Florida, in the summer of 1964. The group added Wilkeson and Powell soon after, changing the band's name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, which was a reference to a gym teacher they had all had who punished students for having long hair.

The early lineup performed mainly around the Jacksonville region, becoming one of the area's most popular acts by 1970. They also toured the Southern states, developing their distinct blues-rock sound, which blended country, blues, and British rock. Their music evaded mainstream success, however, until producer Al Kooper heard them play at a club in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1972. Kooper signed the band to MCA Records, and its debut album, Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd, was released the following year. The album features new member Ed King, who added a third guitar to the group's sound. This triple-guitar effect was especially evident on the band's most popular single, "Free Bird," which became a radio hit and remained a chart topper for years after its release.

Lynyrd Skynyrd opened for the Who's Quadrophenia tour in 1973, garnering even more national exposure. At that time the musicians were working on their second album, Second Helping, which was released the following year. The single "Sweet Home Alabama" proved an instant hit and the album reached number twelve on the charts, earning platinum status.

Around this time, drummer Burns and guitarist King left the band. Artimus Pyle (1948—) filled in on drums for the next album, Nuthin' Fancy, which was released in 1975. It was not as commercially successful as Lynyrd Skynyrd's previous effort despite reaching the top ten on Billboard's album charts. The following year, the group added three female backup singers to the lineup. The women were featured on the band's fourth album, Gimme Back My Bullets. The band continued to tour the nation and released a live album in 1976 titled One More from the Road, which features guitarist Steven Gaines. The recording became Lynyrd Skynyrd's second top-ten album.

Loss of Van Zant

Lynyrd Skynyrd released its sixth album, Street Survivors, in October of 1977. Days later, Van Zant and Gaines were killed when the band's plane crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. The remaining members survived the crash. The original cover of Street Survivors shows the band surrounded by flames, but this image was changed after Van Zant's death. The album was a major success in the wake of the tragedy, but the band decided to break up in 1978 after releasing a collection of demos titled Skynyrd's First and …Last. They later released Gold & Platinum, a best-of compilation album, in 1980.

Rossington and Collins formed a new band in 1980 called the Rossington Collins Band. Pyle also formed his own group called the Artimus Pyle Band. In 1986 Collins was paralyzed from the chest down after getting into a car crash. This prevented him from taking part in Lynyrd Skynyrd's reunion in 1987, which was followed by a reunion tour. The group enlisted Van Zant's brother Johnny to sing in his place. They also recruited guitarist Randall Hall to replace Collins, though Collins did take the stage to explain his absence during the tour. Collins died of respiratory failure on January 23, 1990.

Later Years

In 1991 Lynyrd Skynyrd began recording new material, which was released in June as Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991. Pyle left the band about this time and a variety of drummers took up his post in the subsequent years. A number of new members joined the band as they continued to tour and record throughout the 1990s. The band released two albums in 1993 and 1994, The Last Rebel and Endangered Species. Lynyrd Skynyrd was signed to CMC International in 1997, which led to the release of its ninth studio album, Twenty. CMC also released the band's next effort, 1999's Edge of Forever.

The band has been prolific in the twenty-first century. It released a Christmas album, Christmas Time Again, in 2000. The group lost another member in July 2001 when Wilkeson died of natural causes. Two years later, the band released Vicious Cycle with replacement bassist Ean Evans (1960–2009). In 2006, Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The band released the album Face to Face in 2006, which was followed by Paper Sleeve Box in 2007.

Two more bandmates died in 2009; first Powell of a heart attack in January, then Evans of cancer in May. That same year, the group released a new album, God & Guns. In 2010, the band released a live album, Live from Freedom Hall. This was followed two years later by a new full-length album, Last of a Dyin' Breed. The album features new bassist Johnny Colt (1966—), formerly of the Black Crowes. Original drummer Burns died in a car crash in April 2015.

Bibliography

"The Band: Lynyrd Skynyrd." Lynyrd Skynyrd Official Web Site. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/band

"Inductees by Year: 2006." Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.rockhall.com/inductees/byyear/2006

"Lynyrd Skynyrd Biography." AllMusic. All Media LLC. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lynyrd-skynyrd-mn0000170369/biography

"Lynyrd Skynyrd Biography." Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. https://rockhall.com/inductees/lynyrd-skynyrd/bio/

"Lynyrd Skynyrd Biography." Rolling Stone. Rolling Stone. Web. 29 Dec. 2015. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/lynyrd-skynyrd/biography