Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lynyrd Skynyrd emerged in Jacksonville, Florida, with their self-titled debut album in 1973. The original collective consisted of lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King, and Larry Junstrom, drummer Bob Burns, bassist Leon Wilkeson, and keyboardist Billy Powell.

At the height of their fame in the Rock & Roll era of the 70s, the band popularised the Southern rock genre with their infamous singles ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ (cracked the US Top 10) and ‘Free Bird’ (reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100). After releasing five successful studio albums and one live album, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s career halted when their charted aeroplane crashed in 1977, tragically killing Van Zant as well as newer members Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines.

Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed a decade later for a reunion tour with Ronnie’s brother, Johnny Van Zant, as lead vocalist. Fast-forward to 2023, and the band continues to tour and record for millions of fans, focusing on the future and its rich history.

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Lynyrd Skynyrd number ninety-five on its 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list. Two years later, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and sold over 28 million records in the US.