- Awards And Honors:
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (2006)
- Notable Works:
- âPronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerdâ
- Date:
- 1987 - present
- c. 1973 - 1977
- On the Web:
- AllMusic - Lynyrd Skynyrd (Nov. 01, 2026)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Who are Lynyrd Skynyrd?
Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent during the Southern rock boom of the 1970s. They were known for their triple-guitar attack and working-class attitude.
After playing under various names, the group settled on Lynyrd Skynyrd, as a backhanded compliment to a high-school gym teacher notorious for his opposition to long hair. Their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, was released in 1973 and included "Free Bird," a tribute to Duane Allman.
In 1977, a plane crash killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, leading to the band's disbandment. Surviving members reunited in 1987, with Johnny Van Zant singing lead. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
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Where and when was Lynyrd Skynyrd formed?
Lynyrd Skynyrd, known for its triple-guitar attack and working-class attitude, emerged during the Southern rock boom of the 1970s. After performing under various names in Jacksonville, Florida, the group decided to call themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd, as a backhanded tribute to a high-school gym teacher known for his opposition to long hair. The band released their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, in 1973. The song âFree Bird,â which was dedicated to Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, quickly became very popular because of the interplay of its three lead guitars. In 1977, the increasing success of the band was interrupted by a plane crash in Gillsburg, Mississippi, that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, among others, and the group disbanded.
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What style of music is Lynyrd Skynyrd known for?
Lynyrd Skynyrd, an American rock band, is known for their contributions to the Southern rock genre, rising to prominence in the 1970s. Their style combines blues, boogie licks, and regional pride, characterized by a triple-guitar attack and a gritty, working-class attitude. Their sound, rooted in blues, shares a spirit akin to that of the Rolling Stones. Lynyrd Skynyrd gained popularity with their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, featuring the hit song "Free Bird," a tribute to Duane Allman.
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What are some of Lynyrd Skynyrd's most famous songs?
Lynyrd Skynyrd, a prominent American rock band, gained fame during the 1970s Southern rock era with their triple-guitar sound and working-class image. Two of their most famous songs are "Free Bird" from their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, which became an immediate hit due to its guitar interplay, and "Sweet Home Alabama" from Second Helping. Written as a response to Neil Youngâs "Southern Man," "Sweet Home Alabama" solidified the band's status in Southern rock.
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How did the 1977 plane crash affect the band?
The 1977 plane crash had a devastating impact on Lynyrd Skynyrd. The crash claimed the lives of lead singer Van Zant, guitarist Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, assistant tour manager Dean Kilpatrick, and both pilots. Other band members suffered critical injuries. The tragic loss of life and the severity of the injuries led to the disbandment of the group.
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How has Lynyrd Skynyrd influenced rock music and culture?
Lynyrd Skynyrd, a prominent American rock band, significantly influenced rock music and culture during the Southern rock boom of the 1970s. Their signature triple-guitar attack and working-class grit revitalized American rock. With hits like "Free Bird," a tribute to Duane Allman, they captivated audiences through the interplay of the three lead guitars. Despite a plane crash in 1977 that killed singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines, their music continues to resonate, cementing their place in rock history.
2 Britannica SourcesCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, American rock band that rose to prominence during the Southern rock boom of the 1970s on the strength of its triple-guitar attack and gritty working-class attitude. The principal members were Ronnie Van Zant (b. January 15, 1949, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.âd. October 20, 1977, Gillsburg, Mississippi), Gary Rossington (b. December 4, 1951, Jacksonvilleâd. March 5, 2023), Allen Collins (b. July 19, 1952, Jacksonvilleâd. January 23, 1990, Jacksonville), Ed King (b. September 14, 1949, Glendale, Californiaâd. August 22, 2018, Nashville, Tennessee), Steve Gaines (b. September 14, 1949, Miami, Oklahomaâd. October 20, 1977, Gillsburg), Billy Powell (b. June 3, 1952, Jacksonvilleâd. January 28, 2009, Orange Park, Florida), Leon Wilkeson (b. April 2, 1952âd. July 27, 2001, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida), Bob Burns (b. November 24, 1950, Jacksonvilleâd. April 3, 2015, Cartersville, Georgia), and Artimus Pyle (b. July 15, 1948, Louisville, Kentucky).
Band formation and Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-Nerd
After playing under various names in Jacksonville, the group settled on Lynyrd Skynyrd (a backhanded compliment to a high-school gym teacher notorious for his opposition to long hair). In 1973 the band released its first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd. âFree Bird,â a tribute to the late Duane Allman of the Allman Brothers Band, was an immediate sensation, thanks to the interplay of its three lead guitars.
Second Helping and âSweet Home Alabamaâ
âSweet Home Alabama,â a response to Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Youngâs derisive âSouthern Man,â opens the bandâs sophomore effort, Second Helping (1974). Youngâs song is an attack on the American Southâs racism, with lyrics describing slavery and lynching and calling out white Christian hypocrisy. Van Zant, Rossington, and King wrote âSweet Home Alabamaâ as a direct retort, objecting to what they deemed to be Youngâs condescension and use of Southern stereotypes. The lyrics of their song reject Alabamaâs pro-segregation governor George Wallace: âIn Birmingham they love the governor (boo! boo! boo!) / Now we all did what we could do.â They also challenge Young to answer if he is as bothered by the unfolding Watergate scandal: âNow Watergate does not bother me / Does your conscience bother you? (Tell the truth).â
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The song established the group as Southern rock stalwarts, and their label suggested that they play their shows with the Confederate flag behind them, which they did. âSweet Home Alabamaâ itself is not without controversy. Merry Clayton, who is African American and sings backup on the song, initially objected to its lyrics. Referencing the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham by the Ku Klux Klan in 1963, in which four young Black girls were killed, Clayton recounted to National Public Radio in 2018, âI said four little girls lost their lives, and it just broke everyoneâs heart. I said I donât want to sing anything to do with Alabama.â Yet she decided to record the song as a statement that her experience as a Black American is part of the Alabama experience too. The song has also been claimed as a state anthem. Since its release in 1974, it has been covered, parodied, and sampled by a wide range of artists, including Rihanna, Green Day, the Geto Boys, Hank Williams, Jr., Kid Rock, Eminem, and even Neil Young.
1977 plane crash
In 1977, as Skynyrdâs success was increasing, a plane carrying the band ran out of fuel and crashed in Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing singer Van Zant and guitarist Gaines. Also killed in the crash were Gainesâs sister, Cassie Gaines, who sang backup for the band, assistant tour manager Dean Kilpatrick, and the aircraftâs pilot and copilot. There were 20 survivors, some of whom were critically injured. The group disbanded.
Reunion and legacy
Surviving members reunited in 1987, with Van Zantâs younger brother, Johnny, singing lead. The new Skynyrd was embraced by a number of country singers, especially Travis Tritt. In 2006 Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.