Southern Rock
Southern rock is a distinctive subgenre of rock music that incorporates elements of blues and country, emerging prominently in the United States during the early 1970s. Key bands associated with this genre include the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Charlie Daniels Band, and the Marshall Tucker Band. The roots of Southern rock can be traced back to the rich musical traditions of the American South, which include gospel and blues, and the genre gained momentum as it appealed to younger audiences despite initial resistance from mainstream culture.
The Allman Brothers Band played a pivotal role in defining the sound of Southern rock, known for their intricate arrangements and improvisational style. Other groups, such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, brought a more edgy attitude to the genre, producing iconic tracks like "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama." The Charlie Daniels Band also contributed significantly with hits like "The Devil Went Down to Georgia." Over the years, many artists across various genres have drawn inspiration from the Southern rock style, demonstrating its enduring influence on the music scene. Today, Southern rock remains a celebrated and integral part of American musical heritage.
Southern Rock
Southern rock is a rock music subgenre that contains elements of the blues and country music. It rose to prominence in the United States during the early 1970s and thrived during that decade. Major artists known for playing Southern rock, at least during part of their careers, include the Allman Brothers Band, the Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Marshall Tucker Band. Many artists in various genres have been influenced by the Southern rock style.
History
Many early rock music artists arose from the American South, where gospel and blues music were common. Like much of the United States, however, the entertainment industry was segregated. Upper-middle-class White adults were suspicious of music created by Black Americans. Blues music arose among the poor, and many middle-class people thought it was unsuitable for their families. Many mainstream performers denounced early rock music as immoral and a bad influence on American youth. Over time, however, the popularity of this forbidden music among young people won out. Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis brought rock to the masses during the 1950s and into the 1960s. Other influences, including the British Invasion that introduced the Beatles and the Rolling Stones to American audiences, helped influence the direction of rock music for a time, but a new subgenre was on the horizon.
A small recording company in Macon, Georgia—Capricorn Records—signed several influential artists, beginning with the Allman Brothers Band. These groups infused their rock music with a strong dose of blues.
Phil Walden and Frank Fenter founded Capricorn, which began as an imprint of Atlantic Records in 1969. Walden frequently worked with producer Jerry Wexler. Wexler discovered a young guitarist named Duane Allman, who was originally from Jacksonville, Florida. Allman was under contract with Atlantic as a session player. Session players perform music as backup for other artists. Allman played on records by many artists, including Aretha Franklin. Walden encouraged Allman to form his own band. In 1969, the lineup included Allman on guitar, his brother Gregg Allman on vocals and organ, Forrest "Dickey" Betts on guitar, Berry Oakley on bass, and Claude Hudson "Butch" Trucks and Jai Johanny Johanson on drums.
The self-titled Allman Brothers Band debut album did not sell well, but reviews were positive, and the song "Whipping Post" quickly became a classic. Reviews were also good for the 1970 Idlewild South. The July 1971 double live album, At Fillmore East, was well received and was certified gold. The music blended elements of blues, country, and jazz, and the band frequently included lengthy jams of up to forty minutes during concerts. The band's fame and influence spread. Duane Allman lent his expertise on the slide guitar to Derek and the Dominos' "Layla" (1970), further cementing the Southern rock sound as a force in the music industry. Despite Duane Allman's death in October 1971, the band redefined the boundaries and expectations of rock music. Soon, other labels clamored for the Southern rock sound and began signing artists.
Other Southern Rock Artists
While the Allman Brothers Band was known for jazzy improvisation, Lynyrd Skynyrd brought a decidedly edgy attitude to Southern rock. Vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and guitarists Allen Collins and Gary Rossington formed a band while in high school in Jacksonville. They later recruited Leon Wilkeson on bass, Billy Powell on keyboards, and Bob Burns as a drummer and came up with a new name. They played gigs across the South under the name Lynyrd Skynyrd for several years. The band signed with Phil Walden's brother Alan and added guitarist Ed King, and in 1973, released Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd. Their first hit, "Free Bird," remains a rock staple decades later. It was written as a tribute to the late Duane Allman. The band's second album, Second Helping (1974), features another enduring rock anthem, "Sweet Home Alabama." The band became known for long jams during live shows—a feature that greatly benefited from having three lead guitarists.
The Marshall Tucker Band was also signed to Capricorn Records and toured with the Allman Brothers. The Spartanburg, South Carolina, band included singer Doug Gray, guitarist Toy Caldwell and his brother Tommy on bass, guitarist George McCorkle, drummer Paul Riddle, and reed player Jerry Eubanks. "Heard It in a Love Song" (1977) was the band's breakthrough hit.
The Charlie Daniels Band began in North Carolina. Daniels was in several bands as a teenager and into his twenties, playing guitar and fiddle during the 1950s and early 1960s. When fame proved elusive for the artist and his early band, Daniels moved to Nashville and worked as a session musician. His fiddling skills earned him recognition and respect. Daniels was influenced by the success of the Allman Brothers Band, and he formed the Charlie Daniels Band in 1972. Daniels provided vocals, fiddle, and lead guitar. He added Don Murray on lead guitar, Charlie Hayward on bass, James W. Marshall on drums, and Joel DiGregorio on keyboards. They found early but modest success. Fire on the Mountain (1974) was certified gold and eventually platinum. Daniels continued to focus on Southern rock for several more albums. He was leaning toward traditional country music when the band scored its biggest hit, "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," in 1979.
Many artists perform music in the Southern rock style. Other examples include the Drive-By Truckers, the Kentucky Headhunters, the Black Crowes, Widespread Panic, Molly Hatchet, Elvin Bishop, 38 Special, Little Feat, Hank Williams Jr., and Jelly Roll.
Bibliography
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Ragusea, Adam. "Capricorn in Retrograde: Macon's Endangered Musical History." NPR, 16 Oct. 2014, www.npr.org/2014/10/16/356645162/capricorn-in-retrograde-macons-endangered-musical-history. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Ruhlmann, William. "The Marshall Tucker Band Biography." AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/artist/the-marshall-tucker-band-mn0000052382/biography. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Schaffner, Lauryn. “Jelly Roll Explains His Transition From Hip-Hop to Rock.” Loudwire, 24 Jan. 2022, loudwire.com/jelly-roll-explains-transition-hip-hop-rock-interview. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
"Southern Rock." AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/subgenre/southern-rock-ma0000002872. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
Sullivan, James. "Southern Rock Pioneer Walden Dies." Rolling Stone, 24 Apr. 2006, www.rollingstone.com/music/news/southern-rock-pioneer-walden-dies-20060424. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.