Lynyrd Skynyrd Band Members
Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band that started in 1964, is perhaps one of the most influential rock bands in history. The band was initially formed in Jacksonville, Florida, with
Ronnie Van Zant as the lead vocalist,
Bob Burns as the drummer,
Gary Rossington and
Allen Collins on guitars, and
Larry Junstrom on the bass.
The band released its first album “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd” in 1973 and established itself as one of the most successful and recognized Southern rock bands of all time.
Original Band Members
Ronnie Van Zant was the lead vocalist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in a musical family.
Van Zant was a gifted songwriter and wrote many of the band’s hits, including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps,” and “Free Bird.” Van Zant’s distinctive voice and charismatic stage presence were essential to the band’s success.
Bob Burns was the band’s original drummer. He played drums on the band’s first two albums, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd” and “Second Helping.” Burns brought a unique energy to the band’s sound and helped shape their early sound.
Gary Rossington and
Allen Collins were the guitarists of the band. They both played lead and rhythm guitars and were responsible for some of the band’s most memorable riffs and solos.
Rossington was the last surviving original member of the band, having passed away in 2021. Collins passed away in 1990.
Larry Junstrom was the bassist of the band. He played on the band’s first album, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd,” and was later replaced by Leon Wilkeson.
Current Band Members
The current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd are Rickey Medlocke, Johnny Van Zant, Michael Cartellone, Mark Matejka, Peter Keys, and Keith Christopher. Rickey Medlocke joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970, playing drums on the band’s first demo.
He left the band in 1971 to form his own band, Blackfoot, but rejoined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996 as a guitarist. Johnny Van Zant is
Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother and the current lead vocalist of the band.
He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987 after the death of his brother in a plane crash in 1977. Michael Cartellone is the current drummer of the band.
He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1999 and has since played on several of the band’s albums. Mark Matejka is the current lead and rhythm guitarist of the band.
He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006 and has been a member ever since. Peter Keys is the keyboardist of the band.
He joined in 2009 and adds a new dimension to the band’s sound. Keith Christopher is the bassist of the band.
He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2021, following the death of Rossington.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Success and Legacy
Genre and Popularity
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music can be described as Southern rock, country rock, hard rock, and blues rock. The band incorporated various musical styles into their songs, creating a unique sound that appealed to a diverse audience.
Many of the band’s most popular songs, such as “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps,” and “Free Bird,” have become timeless classics. “Sweet Home Alabama” is perhaps the band’s most well-known song.
Released in 1974, the song was a response to Neil Young’s “Southern Man” and became an instant hit. The song’s catchy melody and Southern pride lyrics made it an anthem for generations to come.
“Gimme Three Steps” is another one of the band’s most iconic songs. Released in 1973, the song tells the story of a man trying to escape a bar fight and is remembered for its catchy guitar riff and Van Zant’s energetic vocals.
“Free Bird” is the band’s most famous song and is often considered one of the greatest rock ballads of all time. The song features a guitar solo that has become synonymous with the band’s sound and is often played at funerals and weddings.
Recognition and Influence
Lynyrd Skynyrd has received numerous accolades over the years, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Rolling Stone magazine ranked the band at number 95 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004.
The band has sold over 28 million records worldwide, with their most successful album being “Skynyrd’s Innyrds: Their Greatest Hits,” which was certified platinum in 2001. Lynyrd Skynyrd has inspired countless musicians over the years, and their influence can be heard in many different genres.
Their music has been sampled in rap songs and has influenced the development of soft rock and EDM. In conclusion, Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band that has left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Through their unique sound and compelling lyrics, they have inspired generations of musicians and fans alike. The band’s legacy will continue for many years to come, and their music will live on as a testament to their talent and influence.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Original Band Members
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original band members were responsible for creating the band’s unique sound and setting it on a path to success. Each member played an integral role in the band’s early years and left their mark on rock history.
Ronnie Van Zant
Ronnie Van Zant was the lead vocalist and lyricist of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was known for his distinctive voice and commanding stage presence.
Van Zant wrote many of the band’s most popular songs, including “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” He was also instrumental in the band’s success in the United Kingdom, where they supported The Who on their Quadrophenia tour. Van Zant tragically died in a plane crash in 1977, along with guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines.
His legacy lives on through his music, and he is remembered as one of the greatest frontmen in rock history.
Bob Burns
Bob Burns was the band’s original drummer, playing on the band’s first two albums, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd” and “Second Helping.” He was known for his energetic performances and distinctive drumming style. After leaving the band in 1974, Burns continued to play music and was instrumental in organizing a Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion performance in 1991.
Unfortunately, Burns passed away in a car crash in 2015, leaving behind a legacy as a talented drummer and an integral part of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s history.
Gary Rossington
Gary Rossington was one of the band’s founding members, playing guitar and contributing to the band’s songwriting. Rossington was known for his impressive guitar skills and was responsible for many of the band’s iconic riffs and solos.
After Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded in 1977, Rossington went on to form the Rossington Collins Band before rejoining Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987. He was the last surviving original member of the band until his recent passing in 2021.
Allen Collins
Allen Collins was another of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s guitarists, known for his co-writing contributions and impressive playing skills. Unfortunately, Collins was involved in a car accident in 1986 that left him paralyzed and caused the death of his girlfriend.
After the accident, Collins left the band and focused on his recovery and family life. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 37, leaving a legacy as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history.
Larry Junstrom
Larry Junstrom played bass guitar on the band’s first album, “Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd,” before leaving the band in 1971. He went on to play with the band .38 Special and continued to play bass until his official retirement in 2014.
Junstrom passed away in 2019, leaving behind a legacy as a talented musician and an integral part of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s early years.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Plane Crash
The Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash is one of the most tragic events in rock history. On October 20, 1977, the band’s twin-engine Convair 240 ran out of fuel and crashed in a wooded area near Gillsburg, Mississippi.
The crash claimed the lives of lead vocalist
Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots, Captain Walter McCreary and First Officer William John Gray. Several other band members and crew members were injured in the crash, including
Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle, and
Allen Collins.
The cause of the crash was determined to be insufficient fuel, as the plane was on a flight from Greenville, South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The tragedy rocked the music world and left a permanent mark on the history of rock and roll.
In conclusion, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s original band members and the band’s plane crash are both integral parts of rock history. While the band members may no longer be with us, their legacy will continue to live on through their music and the memories they left behind.
Similarly, the tragedy of the plane crash serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the lasting impact that music can have on the world.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Origin and Name
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s roots can be traced back to Jacksonville, Florida, where the band was formed in the mid-1960s by a group of teenage musicians. Many of the band’s early members were mods, a subculture that emerged in the UK in the 1960s and embraced fashion, music, and dance.
Location and Early Years
In the early days, Lynyrd Skynyrd played in local bars and clubs, honing their sound and developing a devoted following. The band gained recognition after winning a Battle of the Bands competition, which put them in front of a broader audience and helped launch their career.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s early years were marked by lineup changes, with several members leaving and joining the band. However, the core group of musicians remained consistent, led by vocalist
Ronnie Van Zant and guitarists
Allen Collins,
Gary Rossington, and Ed King.
Band Name Inspiration
The band’s name, Lynyrd Skynyrd, came from Leonard Skinner, a teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville.
Skinner was known for his strict dress code, which included a ban on long hair, a hallmark of many rock musicians at the time. The band’s original drummer,
Bob Burns, suggested the name as a tongue-in-cheek nod to their former teacher.
The band’s popularity in Jacksonville only fueled their decision to keep the name, and they eventually became known simply as Skynyrd. However, by the time they hit national stardom, they had officially changed the spelling to Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Despite initial pushback from their former teacher, Skinner later stated that he was proud of the band’s success and had even attended some of their shows. The band’s name has become synonymous with classic rock, and their most famous songs, such as “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird,” are widely recognized around the world.
Alan Sherman, a friend of the band, also played a role in the band’s name and inspired one of their most popular songs, “Gimme Three Steps.” The song is based on a real-life incident in which Sherman had to flee a bar after being confronted by a jealous boyfriend. In Conclusion, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s name and origin speak to the band’s unique style and rebellious spirit.
From their early days in Jacksonville to their rise to stardom, the band’s name and music have left a lasting impact on rock history. Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains one of the most beloved and iconic bands in music, a testament to the power of their music and the passion of their fans.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, an American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in the mid-1960s, has left a lasting impact on the music industry. The band’s original members, including lead vocalist
Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist
Allen Collins, and bassist
Larry Junstrom, were responsible for creating the band’s unique sound and style.
The band’s tragic plane crash, which claimed the lives of several members, serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the lasting impact that music can have on the world. From their roots as a local bar band to their rise to national stardom, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legacy lives on through their music and the memories they left behind.