Lynyrd Skynyrd (Official Thread)

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I've heard a lot of people complain about the 'New' Skynyrd members, saying all kinds of terrible things about them. Here's my thoughts:

One of the best lineups of the New Skynyrd band included Hughie Thomasson ('96-'05), veteran axeman from the band, The Outlaws. For those who don't remember, Hughie wrote the song Green Grass and High Tides. This was the Barn-Burning, 10-30-some minute long guitar solo with some lyrics added so as not to make it an instrumental. For those who know nothing about Hughie Thomasson, his nickname was "The Flame". Why? Because he could chicken pick and a pretty good clip, flawlessly. And his playing possessed an exceptional sense of melody as well. All in all, I still rank Hughie Thomasson as the best Southern Rock guitarist of all time. The Very Best!

Another long time member of the New Skynyrd band who played with Hughie (with the 3rd guitarist being Gary Rossington) was Rickey Medlocke ('96-). For those unfamiliar with Rickey, he was the lead vocalist and the main lead guitarist for Blackfoot. For those unfamiliar with Blackfoot, Rickey's guitar playing (especially slide) was excellent. And he could sing too, just like Hughie Thomasson. Rickey also had the distinction of being one of Skynyrd's earliest drummers, though he's never mentioned in any of the band's tribute videos because he wasn't with them for very long.

Up next we have New Skynyrd's singer and youngest brother of Ronnie Van Zant, Johnny. No! Johnny doesn't have the soulful singing skills his older brother possessed. But he's about as close to Ronnie tonally as anyone on planet Earth, except for, maybe, the middle Van Zant brother, Donnie (of 38 special fame).

And then there was (for several years) the rest of the band, which included veteran drummer, Michael Cartellone ('99-), original bassist, Leon Wilkerson, original keyboardist, Billy Powell, and original guitarist (as mentioned above), Gary Rossington.

So, in summation, what more could anyone ask from a southern rock band performing the music of a past lineup of the band? Because, during the era I’ve just described, the only replacements were for guitarists, Steve Gaines and Allen Collins (replaced by two incredibly talented, veteran southern rock guitarists), the drummer, and vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant (replaced by his younger brother).

Yeah, it's tragic what happened to the original band, but their music was meant to be played, and I'm sure those who died in the plane crash (along with Allen Collins) would have approved of all those playing it.

For the record: I have no use for bands that tour with 1 original member or no original members at all . . . same with bands like Creedence Clearwater Revisited that make money off the talents of guys like John Fogerty who were the only member in the band that mattered. There's a reason The Doors retired after the death of Jim Morrison. And maybe the Lynyrd Skynyrd members who survived the plane crash should have continued playing under a different name. The Rossington Collins Band were around for about three years, and I have to assume they gave up in frustration due to a lack of fan participation. So, to make money, 5 of the original members got together in '87, with Johnny Van Zant at the mic, and hit the road. Good for them! Unfortunately, surviving members from the band's '77 lineup either eventually quit or died. That's life! So, to keep the show on the road, the deceased or quitters were replaced with veteran Southern Rock musicians or other talent.

I guess the Purists would rather have had them change the name or quit making music altogether. I'd like to be in the room with anyone willing to tell the band members that.

I was fortunate because I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in San Diego in January, 1977. I won't compare Skynyrd of '77 with Skynyrd of '96-'05, but there was a huge difference between the Skynyrd band of '96-'05 and the type of bands (like Creedence Clearwater Revisited) I mentioned above. But that's my opinion.

 

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For those unfamiliar, here are some of the best songs by Van Zant:

 

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I was fortunate because I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in San Diego in January, 1977.

Impressive!

 

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Impressive!

Not really! I was just another guy who went to a concert with some friends and relatives. No one could predict what would occur later that year. I suppose impressive would be my seeing Van Halen at the Starwood in West Hollywood in 1976, about a year before their official discovery. But at the time, they were just another act.
Actually, I'm more impressed by having seen George Carlin 7 times in concert.

 

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Wow! Look at all those people who aren't enjoying the new band lineup.

 

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