Lynyrd Skynyrd is a legendary American rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964. They are best known for their southern rock sound, characterized by a blend of blues, rock, and country influences. The band gained widespread popularity in the 1970s with hits like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” and “Simple Man.” Unfortunately, tragedy struck the band in 1977 when a plane crash claimed the lives of several members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. Despite this, Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s music continues to resonate with audiences and their legacy as one of the most influential rock bands of all time lives on.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Facts
1- The band, originally called The My Backyard Band, was formed in Jacksonville, Florida in the summer of 1964
2- The original name of the band was to be “The 1% Band”, because only 1% of the U.S.A., at this time, were bikers, like themselves
3- The band was named after Leonard Skinner, a gym teacher/coach for some of the members in high school.
4- In 1973, they changed the spelling of the band name from Lynard Skynard to Lynyrd Skynyrd as a tribute to the Byrds
5- In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the group #95 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
6- Lynyrd Skynyrd are in the Guiness Book of World Records for a Rock band which is still going while having the most original members to die. The plane crash that killed so many also killed one of their managers. The total dead is five
7- Lynyrd Skynyrd reached national prominence in 1973 opening for the Who’s Quadrophenia tour and issuing their debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd
8- None of the band members were wearing shoes at the time of their 1977 planecrash
9- Only rock ‘n’ roll band with a 13-letter name that doesn’t contain any vowels.
10- Van Zant’s marble slab from his gravesite was stolen in 1982. Police found it two weeks later in a dried up river bed.
11- The song “Sweet Home Alabama” was written as a response to Neil Young’s “Alabama” and “Southern Man”. Ironically, in spite of the title, none of the band members were actually from Alabama; most of the group came from Florida, and guitarist Ed King was from California.
12- The 2009 album “God & Guns” was their highest-charting album on the Billboard 200 since “Street Survivors” in 1977
13- Skinner was notorious for strictly enforcing the school’s policy against boys having long hair.
14 – Ronnie Van Zant wanted to play baseball – and he was good. Said Ronnie in 1975:
15- Lynyrd Skynyrd And Neil Young Were Actually Fans Of Each Other
16- Ronnie Van Zant, Collins, and Rossington all played together in high school in several different bands. Names included: Sons of Satan, Conqueror Worm, and One Per Cent.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Trivia
- Question: When and where was Lynyrd Skynyrd formed? Answer: Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964.
- Question: Who were the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd? Answer: The original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd included Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Ed King (bass), Bob Burns (drums), and Billy Powell (keyboards).
- Question: What are some of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most famous songs? Answer: Some of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most famous songs include “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Simple Man,” “Gimme Three Steps,” and “Tuesday’s Gone.”
- Question: What tragic event is associated with the band? Answer: Lynyrd Skynyrd is tragically known for the 1977 plane crash, which took the lives of several members of the band, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. This event had a significant impact on the band’s history.
- Question: Has Lynyrd Skynyrd continued to perform and release music after the plane crash? Answer: Yes, Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed in the late 1980s and continued to perform and release new music. The band’s surviving members and new musicians have kept the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd alive, touring and recording albums.