Sweet, Simple, Freebird can you Gimmie 3 Steps?

So, this is a little off the mark for my normal postings, but since I have such a wide and varied audience I thought I would this would be fitting for today. This topic is very near and dear to my heart....read on....

Back in 1964, 4 guys started a band that would come to be known as Lynyrd Skynyrd. They named it after their high school gym teacher whom they all did not get along with. After finally getting a record deal in the Early 70's this group came to produce some of the greatest anthems in Rock and Roll. They were one of the pioneers of Southern Rock, a term that did not exist when these guys started playing together. Lynyrd Skynyrd made such an impact on the musical world that is still going strong today. They used a unique configuration of 3 lead guitars, a bassist, drums, and a piano; definitely not typical rock and roll set up.

The band that started Southern Rock was tore apart 30 years ago today. On October 20,1977 at 6:42 PM a chartered plane they were on ran out of fuel and crashed into the Mississippi swamp just outside of Gillsburg. 4 Members of the band perished in that crash: Lead vocals Ronnie Van Zant, Guitarist Steve Gaines, Back Up Singer Cassie Gaines, and their Assistant Road Manager Dean Kilpatrick, along with the 2 pilots. This started a difficult time that saw the band try to get back together and break apart numerous times, trying to carry on the legacy. Untimely deaths by Alan Collins and Leon Wilkerson did not help as well as personal issues by Ed King and Artimus Pile.

The band carries on today in a little modified fashion. The lead vocals are taken care of by brother Donnie Van Zant, the 2 remaining original members Billy Powell and Gary Rossington try to keep the music playing. The music now has a southern flavor, but is nothing like the original. Skynyrd has sold over 23 million records (according to RIAA 2004) and was a 2006 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

So, take a moment or two today and get out that old CD or LP and think about one of the greatest bands of all time. How fitting "Simple Man" and "Freebird" can fit into your everyday life, even in this hectic world.

I think Ronnie and the others would be happy to know that 30 years after they sang "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" they are still in the minds and hearts of many.