Lynyrd Skynyrd

About

Also known as: Lenhard Skinnerd, Leonard Skinner, Leonard Skinnerd, Lynard Skynard, Lynard Skynyrd, Lyndyrd Skynyrd, Lynrd Skynrd, Lynrd Skynyrd, Lynryd Skynyrd, Lynyrd Shynyrd, Lynyrd Skynard, Lynyrd Skynrd, Lynyrd Skynyd, Lynyrd Skynyurd

Few bands carry as much weight in the southern rock canon as Lynyrd Skynyrd. Born out of Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, they built their reputation on a signature triple guitar attack and anthems like "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" that still pack arenas decades later. Tragedy struck on October 20, 1977, when a plane crash killed vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing singer Cassie Gaines just three days after the release of their fifth studio album Street Survivors, effectively ending the original band. They came back in 1987 with Ronnie's younger brother Johnny Van Zant stepping up as lead vocalist, and what was meant to be a one off tribute tour turned into a full blown second chapter. The band has kept rolling through lineup changes, losses, and the 2023 death of Gary Rossington, the last surviving founding member. Lately they have been sharing live footage of their biggest songs, including collaborations with Brent Smith of Shinedown and Jelly Roll, showing the catalog still connects across generations.