Pour les fans de Rock, Folk & Blues, Pays, Metal, et Indé et Alternatif.
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The earliest incarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd, formed by friends Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins and Gary Rossington, performed under the moniker My Backyard, before switching to One Percent in 1968. Two years later the band thanks to headlining a series of local concerts and opening for several national acts, Lynyrd Skynyrd became a popular Jacksonville act, they honed their hard-rock, southern blues style and began to make their studio recordings.
As a result of a successful performance at an Atlanta club Funocchio, which caught to attention of producer Al Kooper, the band singed to MCA in 1972. The band’s debut album arrived in 1973 with members Van Zant on lead vocals, Rossington on lead guitar and rhythm guitar, Collins also on guitar, Ed King on lead guitar, Billy Powell on keyboard, Bob Burns on drums and Leon Wilkeson on bass. The single “Free Bird” from the album earned Lynyrd Skynyrd their first taste of national exposure, notorious for their three guitar attack.
It wasn’t long before the band developed a popular following, with the success of “Free Bird” and opening for the Who on their “Quadrophenia” tour. Lynyrd Skynyrd's sophomore album “Second Helping” was released 1974 featuring the hit single “Sweet Home Alabama”. The album has since been certified multi-platinum and was followed up by 1975’s Nuthin’ Fancy”. “Nuthin’ Fancy saw Burns and King leave the band and replaced by Artimus Pyle. The album was there first to break the Top 10 and performed much better than its successor “Gimme Back My Bullets” released in 1976.
The band maintained its devoted following through well-documented touring and the release of the double live album “One More from the Road”. Three days after the release of the band’s sixth studio album “Street Survivors” on October 17, 1977, the band’s privately chartered plane crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and his back-up singer sister Cassie all died in the crash with everybody else picking up manageable injuries. Due to the event and the media coverage, “Street Survivors” became one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s biggest and most popular albums, however the band soon broke up after the crash.
In 1987 members Rossington, Powell, King and Wilkeson reunited Lynyrd Skynyrd with the addition of vocalist Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Randall Hall. The band toured relentlessly which can be heard on the double live album “Southern by the Grace of God/Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour - 1987”.
The band subsequently released a string of studio albums including “Endangered Species” in 1994, “Twenty” in 1997, “Edge of Forever” in 1999, “Christmas Time Again” in 2000, “Vicious Cycle” in 2003 and “God & Guns” in 2009. In 2012 Lynyrd Skynyrd released the album “Last of a Dyin’ Breed”, it was produced by Bob Marlette and recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Neighborhood friends Don Barnes and Donnie Van Zant decided to form a band in 1974 and called it .38 Special, and were joined by Jack Grondin, Steve Brookins, Jeff Carlisi and Ken Lyons. They released their first, self-titled, album in 1977 followed a year later by “Special Delivery,” both of which had a strong southern rock influence. For their third album, they shifted to a more general arena rock sound, which helped them achieve success with the albums that followed.
Alongside a sound shift, there was also a lineup change with Ken Lyons no longer a member, and the addition of Larry Junstrom, Carol Bristow, and Dale Krantz. Their first series of successful singles came in 1981 with the release of “Hold On Loosely” followed by “Caught Up In You” in 1982 and “If I’d Been The One” in 1983; all of which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Album Rock Track Chart. Their album “Rock & Roll Strategy,” which was released in 1988 contained the successful single “Second Chance.” The single reached No. 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts, as did the single that followed, “The Sound Of Your Voice.” Throughout the years there were many lineup changes, with Don Barnes being the most constant member, and as of 2014 the lineup consists of Don Barnes, Danny Chauncey, Bobby Capps, Gary Moffatt and Barry Dunaway.
Lynyrd Skynyrd can do no wrong. I got to see them and ZZ Top at the Backyard in Austin, Texas. I am young, but I know enough of their music to appreciate them. This was one of the better live concerts I have ever gone to. It seemed like everyone in the crowd knew every word to every song. I distinctly remember the concert as being family friendly but extremely exciting too. These guys may be getting old, but they will keep on rocking until they just can't rock any longer. Not only did they play the hits, but some other great songs too. Hopefully they will keep putting on great shows like this for a while. Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band that everyone should get to see at least once in their life. This was an amazing show and I feel lucky to have been able to see both of these great bands. I have known their music since I was a child, and have grown up hearing their wonderful songs. If you ever get the chance, I would definitely suggest going to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. You will not regret it.
.38 Special have been around since ’74 but these guys play with more energy than your typical group of 20 somethings.
One of the most popular American rock groups from their time, nobody should have any question whether this is a group worth seeing. Some people might worry whether they can deliver the same show they did back in the 70’s, but I assure you this group’s performance does not disappoint. If anything, they almost seem more alive than ever because it is rare to see a group of their age play with such energy. When older icons like .38 Special are still playing live shows for thousands, you know it is because they love playing and the audience equally loves listening.
.38 Special have played alongside groups like Grand Funk Railroad and Lynyrd Skynyrd for years, and it is no surprise they have a similar sound and same lively show. One of the founding members, Donnie Van Zant, is a brother of Ronnie Van Zant, founder and former head singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well as Johnny Van Zant, who is now the head singer for the same group. Southern classic rock is simply in their blood.
.38 Special are more than happy to play their old hits, including Hold on Loosely and Rockin’ Into the Night, but they also broadened their horizons and showed appreciation for all classic rock, covering bands like ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival. It was great to see one band’s take on their peer’s tunes. All in all, the quality of music was very high, complimented well by the quality of energy and enthusiasm coming from the band and audience. Whether you’re a younger person or an old fan from the 70’s, this show has a lot to offer.