<p>In the honor of the W&L thread. I think Lynyrd Skynyrd (Freebird) is one of the best rock and roll bands ever. W&L and LS forever!!</p>
<p>Note–Correct spelling in title to Lynyrd Skynyrd</p>
<p>My only bad reaction is to the spelling. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Saw them in 1975 when I was still a teen and the original members were all still alive. Great band, great date, great night all around. Firecrackers were a particular hazard then–I assume it had something to do with LS—they were being tossed rather freely from the upper seats at the Spectrum. That part was scary.</p>
<p>Be sure to see the documentary “Tom Dowd and the Language of Music.” He recorded them along with many others.</p>
<p>A FIRST!!! I agree with barrons and driver!!! SKYNYRD!!!</p>
<p>Travelin Man, Tuesday’s Gone…F R E E B I R D !!!</p>
<p>I used to like Freebird- but why do they play it at the gym?</p>
<p>H & I used to listen to lots of Southern rock bands- I was way more into Lynyrd Skynyrd than the other bands & never really did care for the Allman brothers- but we also have Charlie Daniels & Marshall Tucker Lps
( I also like Neil Young 
)</p>
<p>( I have several albums - even have the original Street Surviors cover- that came out 3 days before the plane crash that killed 6)</p>
<p>I once knew a few great young jazz guitarists who are now pretty well known, in their sphere. One of my guilty pleasures used to be raising my drink and yelling “FREEBIRD!” when they were playing in small Boston/Cambridge jazz venues, mid to late 70s. You have no idea how much fun I used to be.</p>
<p>Sorry to disagree guys, but having just gone to a John Fogerty concert last Saturday (with special guest appearance of Bruce Springsteen during the encore), I was reminded why to me the 70s was all about CCR - THE real greatest R&R band ever!</p>
<p>Yes, one of the drawbacks of the board is not being able to edit titles. I knew I should have checked before I posted it.</p>
<p>During the 80"s at every concert I went to somebody had to yell out FREEBIRD!!</p>
<p>My college boyfriend (one of the above-mentioned jazz guitarists) used to say that if he were granted the ability play the guitar like anyone, it would be Joe Pass, and if granted the ability to sing like anyone, it would be John Fogerty. Strange combination, granted, but he could play it all. (Gawd…hope I haven’t outed myself…how you doin’ babe? Do your kids post on CC?)</p>
<p>I liked Ronnie better as lead singer. </p>
<p>Looks like even the band used different spellings.</p>
<p>“The name stuck, soon becoming Lynard Skynard, and finally Lynyrd Skynyrd”.</p>
<p>The thing I remember most about Ronnie Van Zandt was that the other members said they really didn’t like him, but they were afraid to reject him as lead singer during the audition because they thought he would beat them up. Their namesake was their gym teacher–Leonard Skinner, IIRC. Whether or not you like the sentiments expressed, “Sweet Home Alabama” is a true guitar cantata. The instrumental interplay is sheer genius. Far more sophisticated than Freebird, as fun as that was.</p>
<p>Some version of the band is out on tour now, I think.</p>
<p>I saw Joe Pass on stage with Ella, Count Basie and Oscar Peterson-
3rd row- quite a show
One show where I was introduced to musicians I had never even heard of before- was a Guthrie tribute concert at the SkyChurch
I had heard of Odetta and Bob Weir but Jimmy Lafave has a voice that is one of the most expressive I have ever heard.
I promptly bought a cd and one by another Texan, Butch Hancock.</p>
<p>You probably have heard KFC use “Sweet Home Alabama” as a jingle. I suppose using “Freebird” instead would have given people the wrong impresson. :D</p>
<p>Dadguy–Priceless…thanks for a good laugh.</p>
<p>“Yes, one of the drawbacks of the board is not being able to edit titles”</p>
<p>Spelling in thread title corrected.</p>
<p>No. No no no no no no no. I like LS. I like Free Bird – but it’s a great 3 1/2 minute song that, unfortunately, lasts about 15 billion minutes – my God, it’s the worst case of “Hey Jude” fever I’ve ever seen (well, other than Hey Jude). And it’s not even the best LS song! That Smell, SWA, Gimme Three Steps, and (the best) The Ballad of Curtis Loew are all much better.</p>
<p>Never was much impressed by Lynyrd Skynyrd. As for Southern Rock bands I always found the Allman Brothers to pretty much be the gold standard. Even now I would much rather listen to Gov’t. Mule, ABB, Phish, or The Grateful Dead (I know the last two arent southern bands). Even Tom Petty for that matter.</p>
<p>Iderochi, you are right, except for your cheap swipe at Hey Jude. In the late 60s, at a junior high school dance, latching on to a really cool guy for that 7+ solid minutes of slow dancing was erotica to be remembered for weeks.</p>
<p>I remember when they would play Freebird at dances and no one had a clue with all the different speeds…</p>
<p>like stairway to heaven</p>
<p>Black lights and Jimmy Page. Those were the days.
Blue Oyster Cult. I could have used a little more cowbell, people… <a href=“Funnyhub.com – Making the World Laugh”>Funnyhub.com – Making the World Laugh;