The legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd will always be at the heart of Southern Rock. A band who's influence ran not only through the veins of upcoming rock performers, but country artists such as Travis Tritt and Alabama as well. The Skynyrd sound set standards for a whole new generation of music. Music that was performed with guts and soul - the kind of music that makes you think, makes you move, makes you feel.
The band wasn't always known as Lynyrd Skynyrd. In Jacksonville, Florida in 1965 they started as "My Backyard" - then changed to "The Noble Five". Another new name was later born for the group of high school dropouts, via a high school gym teacher named Leonard Skinner. The teacher who continually harassed the "long-hairs" was immortalized when the band re-named themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In 1971, the group made their first attempt at recording with Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. They borrowed money for the session and tapes were distributed in the area. But it seemed no one was interested in their sound. They continued to play though, and soon moved to Atlanta.
The band was soon signed with the Sounds of the South label - backed by MCA records. Their first hit, (one of Rock's hardest- hitting anthems), "Free Bird" was released in 1973 on the debut album "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd." The following year, their most popular song ever is released on the album "Second Helping". "Sweet Home Alabama" is to this day, one of the most recognized songs ever recorded.
In support of their albums, the band toured constantly, playing concerts all over the United States and Europe. In 1976, they recorded their first live album, aptly titled "One More From The Road." The record soon hit the charts in the Top 10 and went platinum.
With the next album, "Street Survivors" due to be released October 7, 1977, a new tour was in the works. It was to be the Tour of the Survivors and Lynyrd Skynyrd was scheduled to headline at Madison Square Garden. A dream come true for any musician.
Tragedy strikes on October 20, 1977 when the band was en route to a gig in Louisiana; the turbo prop plane runs short on fuel - mid-flight - and crashes in swampland in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Four people are killed - Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, backup vocalist Cassie Gaines, guitar player Steve Gaines and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.
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