List of Lynyrd Skynyrd members

Last updated

Lynyrd Skynyrd band (1973).jpg
Lynyrd Skynyrd (1977).jpg
Lynyrd 2008 (1).jpg
Three lineups of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973 (top), 1977 (middle) and 2008 (bottom).

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a Southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1964, the group originally included vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom and drummer Bob Burns. The current lineup features guitarist and vocalist Rickey Medlocke (from 1971 to 1972, and since 1996), lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant (since 1987), drummer Michael Cartellone (since 1999), guitarist Mark Matejka (since 2006), keyboardist Peter Keys (since 2009) and bassist Keith Christopher (since 2017) The band also tours with two backing vocalists, currently Dale Krantz-Rossington (since 1987) and Carol Chase (since 1996) and guitarist Damon Johnson (since 2021). [1]

Contents

History

1964–1977

Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed under the name My Backyard in 1964, which was later changed to The Noble Five, and again to One Percent. [2] The group originally included vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom and drummer Bob Burns, all of whom were students at Robert E. Lee High School. [3] After performing live for several years, the band recorded for the first time in 1971, when Junstrom and Burns were replaced by Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke, respectively. [4] The following year, Walker was replaced by the band's original choice of bassist Leon Wilkeson, and Medlocke moved to third guitarist as Burns returned on drums. [5] Medlocke had left by the end of the year. [6] Billy Powell had also been added as the group's first keyboardist, having worked as a roadie since 1970. [7]

Shortly before recording began for the band's debut album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) , Wilkeson left Lynyrd Skynyrd and was replaced by Ed King. [8] Later during the sessions the bassist returned, with King subsequently taking up the role of third guitarist. [9] Burns remained for 1974's Second Helping , but left in January 1975 due to touring fatigue, with Artimus Pyle taking his place. [10] King left on May 26, 1975, two months after the release of Nuthin' Fancy . [11] He was replaced the following year by Steve Gaines, who was recommended by his sister Cassie Gaines after she had recently joined as one of the band's touring backing vocalists, The Honkettes. [12] [13]

On October 20, 1977 – three days after the release of the band's fifth studio album Street Survivors – a chartered plane on which the members and crew were travelling crashed in Gillsburg, Mississippi. [14] Six people died in the accident, including band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines; many of the other passengers on board were seriously injured, including Wilkeson who was left in a critical condition and reportedly declared dead three times. [15] The group disbanded after the crash. [14] In 1978, a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1971 and 1972 was released as Skynyrd's First and... Last . [16] The following year, the surviving members (with the exception of Wilkeson) reunited at Volunteer Jam for a performance of "Free Bird" with Charlie Daniels and his band. [17]

1987 onward

In July 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced their reforming for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour, [18] with returning members Rossington, King, Wilkeson, Pyle and Powell joined by new lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's younger brother. [19] Collins, who was unable to join the reunited group after a car accident the previous year left him paralyzed from the waist down, chose Randall Hall from his own eponymous band to take his place on guitar. [20] After the band's first post-reformation studio album Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 , Pyle left suddenly after a show in August, [21] with Kurt Custer taking his place. [19] Hall left in 1993 after the release of The Last Rebel , [22] later suing the remaining members of the band for $500,000. [23] Custer followed Hall out of the group the next year in order to focus on his solo career. [24]

Hall and Custer were replaced by Mike Estes and Owen Hale, respectively, [25] both of whom performed on the 1994 album Endangered Species . [26] King was forced to leave the band in 1996 due to health problems, with Hughie Thomasson brought in to take his place; Estes left around the same time, with former drummer Medlocke returning to the band on guitar as a result. [25] Hale left in late 1998 after the Twenty Tour; [27] he was replaced first by Jeff McAllister, [28] followed by Kenny Aronoff who played on Edge of Forever , [29] before Michael Cartellone took over in 1999 after the dissolution of the Damn Yankees. [30] On July 27, 2001, longtime bassist Leon Wilkeson died in his sleep of natural causes. [31] He was replaced by Ean Evans, who had earlier substituted for Wilkeson at several shows the previous year. [32]

Thomasson left Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2005 to reform his previous band Outlaws, [33] with his replacement Mark Matejka joining early the next year. [34] The band was forced to change its lineup twice in 2009 due to deaths in the group – first, longtime keyboardist Billy Powell died of a heart attack on January 28; [35] and later, bassist Evans died of cancer on May 6. [36] Peter Keys was later brought in to replace Powell, [37] while Evans was replaced by Robert Kearns. [38] Kearns remained until 2012, when he was replaced by former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt. [39] Keith Christopher replaced Colt in mid-2017. [40] Gary Rossington, the band's last founding member died on 5 March 2023. [41]

Official members

Current members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd.jpg
Rickey Medlocke
  • 1971–1972
  • 1996–present
[4] [6] [25]
  • guitar (1972, 1996–present)
  • drums (1971–1972)
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • mandolin
[5]
[42] [43] [44]
Johnny-van-zant.jpg
Johnny Van Zant
  • 1987–present
[19]
lead vocalsall Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Southern by the Grace of God (1988) [45] onward
Michael Cartellone.jpg
Michael Cartellone 1999–present [30]
  • drums
  • percussion
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Edge of Forever (1999) [46] onward
Service members enjoy Defenders of Freedom Appreciation Day (Image 7 of 8).jpg
Mark Matejka 2006–present [34]
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from God & Guns (2009) [47] onward
Peter Keys.jpg
Peter Keys 2009–present [37]
  • keyboards
  • piano
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Last of a Dyin' Breed (2012) [48] onward
Hellfest2019LynyrdSkynyrd 01.jpg
Keith Christopher2017–present [40] bass
  • Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour Lyve! (2019)
  • “Last of the Street Survivors” (2020)
[49] [50]
Black Star Riders (8 von 28).jpg
Damon Johnson 2023–present [51] (touring substitute 2021–2023) [1] guitarnone to date

Former members

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simpleman 2011.png
Gary Rossington
  • 1964–1977
  • 1987–2023 (until his death)
[3] [14] [19] [41]
guitarall Lynyrd Skynyrd releases
Allen Collins Lynyrd Skynyrd (cropped2).png
Allen Collins 1964–1977 (musical director, 1987–1990) (until his death) [3] [14] all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from "Need All My Friends" / "Michelle" (1968) [52] to Legend (1987) [53]
Ronnie Van Zant (1975).jpg
Ronnie Van Zant 1964–1977 (until his death) [3] [15] lead vocals
Bob Burns Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973) (cropped).png
Bob Burns
  • 1964–1971
  • 1972–1974 (guest 2006) (died 2015)
[3] [4] [5] [10]
drums
  • "Need All My Friends" / "Michelle" (1968)
  • (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973) – "all except "Tuesday's Gone" and "Mississippi Kid"
  • Second Helping (1974) – all except "I Need You"
  • Skynyrd's First and... Last (1978)
  • Legend (1987)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd (1991)
  • Collectybles (2000)
[52] [54] [55] [43] [53] [56] [57]
Larry Junstrom bassist of .38 Special.jpg
Larry Junstrom 1964–1971 (died 2019) [3] [4] bass
[52] [56] [57]
Greg T. Walker of Blackfoot at Penns Peak.jpg
Greg T. Walker 1971–1972 [4] [5]
  • bass
  • backing vocals
  • Street Survivors (1977) – "One More Time" only
  • Skynyrd's First and... Last (1978)
[42] [43]
Lynyrd Skynyrd (1977).jpg
Leon Wilkeson
  • 1972
  • 1973–1977
  • 1987–2001 (until his death)
[5] [8] [9] [14] [19] [31]
  • all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Second Helping (1974) – all except "I Need You" and "Don't Ask Me No Questions" to Edge of Forever (1999)
  • Vicious Cycle (2003) – "The Way" and "Lucky Man" only
[55] [46] [58]
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Billy Powell.jpg
Billy Powell
  • 1972–1977
  • 1987–2009 (until his death)
[7] [14] [19] [35]
  • keyboards
  • piano
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973) [54] to Live from Freedom Hall (2010) [59]
Ed King - Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973).png
Ed King
  • 1972–1975
  • 1987
  • 1991–1996 (guest 2006) (died 2018)
[8] [11] [19] [25]
  • guitar
  • bass (1972–1974)
  • backing vocals
[9]
  • (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)
  • Second Helping (1974)
  • Nuthin' Fancy (1975)
  • all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Skynyrd's First and... Last (1978) to Southern Knights (1996)
[54] [55] [60] [43] [61]
Artimus Pyle - Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer.jpg
Artimus Pyle
  • 1975–1977
  • 1987–1991
(guest 2006) [10] [14] [19] [21] [62]
  • drums
  • percussion
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Nuthin' Fancy (1975) [60] to Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (1991), [56] except Skynyrd's First and... Last (1978) [43]
Steve Gaines Lynyrd Skynyrd (cropped).jpg
Steve Gaines 1976–1977 (until his death) [12] [13] [15]
  • guitar
  • vocals
[63] [42] [53]
Randall Hall
  • 1987–1993
[20] [22]
  • Southern by the Grace of God (1988)
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (1991)
  • The Last Rebel (1993)
[45] [56] [64]
Kurt Custer1991–1994 [19] [24] drumsThe Last Rebel (1993) [64]
Skinny Molly en Barcelona.jpg
Mike Estes1993–1996 [25]
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
[65] [61]
Owen Hale 1994–1998 [25] [27]
  • drums
  • percussion
[65] [61] [44] [66]
HughieThomasson06.jpg
Hughie Thomasson 1996–2005 (died 2007) [25] [33]
  • guitars
  • backing vocals
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Twenty (1997) [44] to Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve: The Vicious Cycle Tour (2003) [67]
Jeff McAllister1998–1999 [28] drumsnone
Kenny Aronoff.jpg
Kenny Aronoff 1999 [29] Edge of Forever (1999) [46]
Ean Evans - Lynyrd Skynyrd.jpg
Ean Evans 2001–2009 (until his death) [32] [36]
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Vicious Cycle (2003) [58] to Live from Freedom Hall (2010) [59]
Robert Kearns of Lynyrd Skynyrd at Simpleman 2011 (2).jpg
Robert Kearns 2009–2012 [38] [39] none
Lynyrd Skynyrd visits Fort Jackson (Johnny Colt).png
Johnny Colt 2012–2017 [39] [40]
  • One More for the Fans (2015)
  • Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd & Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre (2015)
[68] [69]

Other contributors

Current touring musicians

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Lynyrd Skynyrd CIA Cardiff 2010 (7).jpg
Dale Krantz-Rossington
  • 1987–present
[70]
backing vocalsall Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Southern by the Grace of God (1988) [45] onward
Lynyrd Skynyrd CIA Cardiff 2010 (7).jpg
Carol Chase1996–present [71] all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Twenty (1997) [44] onward
Stacy Michelle2023–present [72] (touring substitute 2022–2023)backing vocalsStacy Michelle substituted for Dale during Gary's recovery and has stayed on touring.

Former touring musicians

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributions
Cassie Gaines 1975–1977 (until her death) [73] [15] backing vocals
  • One More from the Road (1976)
  • Street Survivors (1977)
[63] [42]
JoJo Billingsley 1975–1977 [74] (died 2010) [75]
Leslie Hawkins1975–1977 [76]
Carol Bristow1987–1988 [77] Southern by the Grace of God (1988) [45]
Debbie Bailey1991–1994 [78] none
Debbie Davis-Estes1994–1996 [79]
  • Endangered Species (1994)
  • Southern Knights (1996)
[65] [61]

Touring substitutes

ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsNotes
Byron Glover
  • 1975
  • 1987-1988
  • 1993 (died 2010)
[80]
guitarGlover performed with the band after Ed King's departure and also substituted later on. He also appeared on:
  • Atlanta Live 93’ VHS (1993)
  • Skynyrd Frynds (1994)
Greg Martin1992Martin filled in for Ed King on several dates of the band's 1992 tour due to an injury. [81]
2017 Molly Hatchet - by 2eight - DSC1957.jpg
Tim Lindsey1993bassLindsey substituted for Wilkeson at several shows in 1993 during The Last Rebel Tour. [82]
Rick and Mac by Grifoto.JPG
Rick Wills 1999 [83] Wills substituted for Wilkeson at several shows in July 1999 during the Edge of Forever Tour.
Pat Buchanan 2007 [84] guitarFilled in for Gary in 2007.
Raquel Jonsen (Johnson)2007, [84] 2021–2022backing vocalsRaquel substituted for Dale during Gary's recovery at various points.
Joey Huffman 2008 [85] [86] keyboardsHuffman substituted for Powell at several shows in 2008 during the Rock & Rebels Tour.

Timeline

Official member timeline

List of Lynyrd Skynyrd members

Touring musician timeline

List of Lynyrd Skynyrd members

Lineups

PeriodMembersReleases
June 1964 – February 1971 [3] [4]
February 1971–April 1972 [4]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Greg T. Walker – bass, backing vocals
  • Rickey Medlocke – drums, vocals
April 1972 - June 1972 [5] [6]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns – drums
none
June 1972 - August 1972 [6] [7]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns – drums
  • Skynyrd's First and... Last (1978) [43]
August 1972 - October 1972 [7] [8]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns – drums
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
October 1972 – June 1973 [8] [9]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Ed King – bass, guitar, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns – drums
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
June 1973 – January 1975 [9] [10]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Bob Burns – drums
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
January – May 1975 [10] [11]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Artimus Pyle – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
May 1975 – June 1976 [11] [12] [13]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Artimus Pyle – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
June 1976 – October 1977 [12] [13] [14]
  • Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Steve Gaines – guitar, vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Artimus Pyle – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
Band inactive October 1977 – January 1979
January 1979 [17]
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Allen Collins – guitar
  • Artimus Pyle – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
none – one show
Band inactive January 1979 – June, 19 1987
June 19, 1987 – August 1991 [19] [20] [21]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Randall Hall – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Artimus Pyle – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
August 1991 – June 1993 [19] [22]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Randall Hall – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kurt Custer – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
August 1993-March 1994 [25] [24]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mike Estes – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kurt Custer – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
none
April 1994 – May 1996 [25]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Ed King – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mike Estes – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Owen Hale – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
May 1996 – October 1998 [25] [27]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Owen Hale – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
October 1998 – February 1999 [28]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff McAllister – drums
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
none
February– April-1999 [29]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Kenny Aronoff – drums
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
April -1999 – July 2001 [30] [31]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Leon Wilkeson – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
August 2001 – April 2005 [32] [33]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Hughie Thomasson – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ean Evans – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
April 2005 – March 2006 [34]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ean Evans – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
none
March 2006 – January 2009 [34] [35]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ean Evans – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Billy Powell – keyboards, piano
February – May 2009 [37] [36]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Ean Evans – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Peter Keys – keyboards, piano
none
June 2009 – May 2012 [38] [39]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Robert Kearns – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Peter Keys – keyboards, piano
May 2012 – June 2017 [39] [40]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Johnny Colt – bass, backing vocals
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Peter Keys – keyboards, piano
  • Last of a Dyin' Breed (2012) [48]
  • One More for the Fans (2015) [68]
  • Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd &
    Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre
    (2015) [69]
June 2017 – March 2023 [40] [41]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Gary Rossington – guitar
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Keith Christopher – bass
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Peter Keys – keyboards, piano
  • Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour Lyve! (2019) [49]
  • "Last of the Street Survivors" (2020) [93]
March 2023 – present [41]
  • Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals
  • Rickey Medlocke – guitar, backing vocals
  • Mark Matejka – guitar, backing vocals
  • Damon Johnson – guitar
  • Keith Christopher – bass
  • Michael Cartellone – drums, percussion
  • Peter Keys – keyboards, piano
none

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

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Freebird... The Movie is an in-depth look at Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Released on videon on August 30, 1996, it is part documentary and part concert footage. Charlie Daniels was involved as "creative consultant".

<i>Vicious Cycle</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Vicious Cycle is the twelfth studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 2003. It was the first album recorded by the band following the death of original bassist Leon Wilkeson, who appears on two songs, "The Way" and "Lucky Man", and the song "Mad Hatter" is a tribute to him. The album is the first to feature bassist Ean Evans, the first mainstream album with Michael Cartellone on drums, and the last album that guitarist Hughie Thomasson played on before he died. It included the single "Red, White & Blue" which peaked at number 27 on the US Mainstream Rock charts.

<i>Twenty</i> (Lynyrd Skynyrd album) 1997 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Twenty is the ninth studio album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 1997. The title of the album refers to the fact that it had been twenty years since the plane crash which killed original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines.

<i>Skynyrds First and... Last</i> 1978 compilation album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Skynyrd's First and...Last was the original name of the posthumous compilation album first released in 1978 by the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. In 1998, it was repackaged, renamed and re-released as Skynyrd's First: The Complete Muscle Shoals Album, being expanded to include eight additional tracks – four of which were previously unreleased and four which would be re-recorded for (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd). As the renamed title suggests, the album was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. Originally intended to be their debut album it was shelved, making (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) their actual debut. The album was certified Gold on September 8, 1978 and Platinum on November 10, 1978 by the RIAA.

<i>Southern by the Grace of God</i> 1988 live album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Southern by the Grace of God is a live album by southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, recorded during the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour in 1987. These live concerts were a 10-year anniversary tribute by Lynyrd Skynyrd to the members of the band who had died in a 1977 plane crash. The plane crash killed frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

<i>Lyve from Steel Town</i> 1998 live album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Lyve from Steel Town is a live album by the 'post-plane crash' lineup of American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. It has two discs; the last two tracks on the second disc are exclusive interviews with the band. The concert was also released as a live VHS and DVD. The tracks were recorded at Star Lake Amphitheatre in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, on July 15, 1997. Both the album and the video were certified Gold by the RIAA.

<i>Edge of Forever</i> 1999 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Edge of Forever is the tenth studio album by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Released in 1999, it is the last album to feature Leon Wilkeson before his death in 2001.

<i>Christmas Time Again</i> 2000 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

Christmas Time Again is the eleventh studio album by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 2000.

<i>God & Guns</i> 2009 studio album by Lynyrd Skynyrd

God & Guns is the thirteenth studio album by the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on September 29, 2009.

The Edge of Forever Tour was a concert tour by Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of their album, Edge of Forever. The band performed shows with a number of other artists including Ted Nugent and Deep Purple.

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