2008 Lynyrd Skynyrd

In the mid 1960s, three young men met. Ronnie Van Zant, Allan Collins, and Gary Rossington were high school friends, and they decided to form a band. They started a band called My Backyard, and then they recruited bass player Leon Wilkeson and a keyboard player named Billy Powell. They changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd as a jibe to their high school coach (Leonard Skinner), who regularly hassled them because of their long hair. Having picked up drummer Bob Burns, they started playing all over the South. They were signed by MCA after Al Kooper caught their show at an Atlanta club, Funocchio's, in 1972.

In 1973 they released their self-named debut album, after picking up former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King. This album produced 'Freebird', which received heavy radio play and garnered their first national exposure. The song was a tribute to the recently deceased Duane Allman, and has become one of the most popular and recognized songs of the era.

Holding the opening spot on tour with The Who's 1973 Quadraphenia tour built up a devoted following so that when they released Second Helping in 1974 it was an instant hit. This album produced the hit, 'Sweet Home Alabama' which helped it go to number 12 on the charts and multi-platinum in the record stores. Following the album's release Bob Burns and Ed King both left the group, and Artimus Pyle came in as Drummer.

They released Nuthin' Fancy in 1975, the band's first top ten hit to that point. Then in 1976 Gimme Back My Bullets was released to a less than expected response. Produced by Tom Dowd, the album failed to achieve the level of success of their two previous albums, however they retained their following by continuing to tour.

During this tour, they documented everything and released a double live album One More From The Road. The album featured new guitarist Steve Gaines and three female backup singers and put Lynyrd Skynyrd in the top 10 once again.

In 1977 they released Street Survivors, their sixth album. While traveling between Greenville, SC and Baton Rouge, La their chartered plane went down. It crashed outside of Gillsburg, MS killing Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, his sister Cassie and one of the back up singers. The rest of the band were injured but survived. The cause of the crash was either fuel shortage or mechanical failure. The cover of the album had originally featured the band surrounded by flames, and was changed after the accident. The album became one of their biggest hits. In 1978 an album made up of a compilation of demos recorded before the crash was released as Skynyrd's First And...Last and was followed by Gold & Platinum, a double album compilation in 1980.

The band broke up after the accident. They reunited in the late 80's for a reunion tour with Jonnie Van Zant providing vocals. In the 90's they were commissioned honorary Colonels in the Alabama National Guard. They continue to tour in their reunited form.