History of the Band:Starting of the Band:
In 1964, three teenage friends named Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, and Gary Rossington decided to make a band called "The Noble Five." Which changed to "My Backyard" in 1965, when the two other band members Larry Junstrom and Bob Burns joined the group. They were getting recognized when they won a "battle of the bands" local competition and got the opening slot on the California-based rock band "Strawberry Alarm Clock." In 1970, other names were decided, "One Percent" and "Noble Five" were noticed, but they decided on "Leonard Skinnard." The band went through many band member changes, which left only with the original three band members.
Rising Stardom:
In 1972, the band was discovered by the musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper, who went to one of the concert's in Atlanta. They than changed there name to the current band name "Lynyrd Skynyrd," which than they signed to MCA records. Which there they made there first album in 1973 which is the same name as the band. The first released song on the album "Free Bird" which received a national airplay, and eventually made the Billboard Top 100 as #19. The track is known as a rock anthem. The fan-base grew in 1974, when they were on the opening slot on "The Who's" Quadrophenia tour in the United States. They released there second album in 1974 which was called "Second Helping's," with there arguably most popular track, "Sweet Home Alabama." This went to #8 on the USA charts in August 1974, which was a response to Neil Young's "Alabama" and "Southern Man."
The Plane Crash:
On the 21st of October, 1977. Lynyrd Skynyrd's chartered Convair 240 run out of fuel, while pilots did all they can to save the flight, the plane landed in the forest. This killed 3 band members (Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines) died, as well as the co-pilot and pilot. The other band-members survived with serious injuries. Meanwhile, their 5th album (Street Survivors) suddenly increased in popularity, and sold heaps. It made #5 in the US Album Charts and "What's Your Name" reached #13 in the airplay charts in January 1978. However, they than decided to retire for ten years.
The return of Lynyrd Skynyrd:
They did do tours, however, they didn't release another album until 1991. With the album "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991", which wasn't as popular as earlier bands. So now, they release albums every couple of years, while they go on a big tour with themselves or with another band.
Albums:1973 - (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)
1974 - Second Helping
1975 - Nuthin' Fancy
1976 - Gimme Back My Bullets
1977 - Street Survivors
1991 - Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991
1993 - The Last Rebel
1994 - Endangered Species
1997 - Twenty
1999 - Edge of Forever
2003 - Vicious Cycle
2009 - God & Guns
Members of the Band: Current members:
Gary Rossington – plays the guitars, appeared from 1964 and retired 1977. Returned in 1987 and is still around.
Rickey Medlocke – plays the guitars and backing vocals, appeared 1996 and is still in the band
Johnny Van Zant – is the lead vocals person, appeating in 1987 and still sings today.
Michael Cartellone – plays the drums, first appearing in 1999 and still plays for the band.)
Mark Matejka – plays the guitars and is the backing vocals, starting playing 2006 and is still around today.
Robert Kearns – playing the bass and is the backing vocals starting only 2 years ago and still plays today.
Peter Keys – plays the keyboards, appearing 2 years ago and is still playing.
Former members:
Ronnie Van Zant - He was the lead vocals of the band, and was around from 1964 before dying in the plane crash of '77.
Allen Collins - He was the guitarist of the band. He was around from the start of the band before dying in the plane crash of '77.
Billy Powell - He was the one who played the piano, he was around from 1972 before dying in 2009.
Steve Gaines - He was the guitarist and back vocals person. He was only around one year before he died in the plane crash of '77.
Leon Wilkeson - He was the bass and another backing vocals guy. He was around from the year 1972, before retiring in 1977. Than returning in 1987, before dying in 2001.
Artimus Pyle - He was the drums and percussion of the band. He appeared in 1974, than retiring in 1977. Than retiring in 1987, finally leaving the band in 1991.
Overall:Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American Rock Band which has released many albums and songs. With there most popular "Sweet Home Albania" being the most favourite. They sound like a good band, because Rock is better than this pop shit you hear on the radio. So you should buy the albums or download there tracks.
References:
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynyrd_Skynyrd
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Lynyrd_Skynyrd_band_members
3. http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/
I was typing, and I pressed backspace and I think another button and it just suddenly went back to the Fuji homepage. This should be done in 24 - 72 hours.
