Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band, formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The band became prominent in the Southern United States in 1973, and rose to worldwide recognition.
Three members and one road crew member died in an airplane crash in 1977
The band reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny as the frontman. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record. Of its original members, only Gary Rossington remains with the band as of 2011.
Their name is a mocking tribute to a physical-education teacher at their High School, Leonard Skinner,who was notorious for strictly enforcing the school's policy against boys having long hair. Southern accent is responsible for the final spelling of their name.
In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the group #95 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. On March 13, 2006, Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 21st annual induction ceremony.
"Free Bird" was first featured on the band's debut album in 1973, and has been included on subsequent albums released by the band.
Released as a single in November 1974, "Free Bird" became the band's second Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 1975, where it peaked at No. 19. A live version of the song also reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977, peaking at No. 38.
"Free Bird" is included in such lists as The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, and Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time (holding spot No. 191).
Free Bird also achieved the No. 3 spot on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.
The song was used as a finale by Lynyrd Skynyrd during their live performances, and was their longest song, often going well over 14 minutes when played live.
Following the plane crash in 1977 in which several band members were killed, all of the songs played by surviving members were performed as instrumentals .
When "Free Bird" came up, a solitary microphone with a single spotlight would be at center stage while the band played the instrumental version.
No comments:
Post a Comment