Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band, renowned for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. The band was originally formed as ‘My Backyard’ in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums). However, they later changed the name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a tongue-in-cheek tribute to their high school gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was known for his strict enforcement of the school’s hair-length policy.
The band’s initial success peaked in the mid-70s, with signature songs like “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird” becoming defining hits of the decade. Tragically, the band’s momentum was abruptly halted in 1977 when their chartered airplane crashed, taking the lives of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines.
After a decade-long hiatus following the tragedy, the band reformed in 1987 with Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny Van Zant, taking over as the new lead vocalist. Despite several lineup changes over the years, Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record music, keeping alive their unique blend of bluesy, hard-driving rock music and maintaining their status as Southern rock legends.
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