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Lynyrd Skynyrd Rocks the Wellmont Theater by Elliot Levin
Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd played in Montclair, NJ last night, filling the newly restored venue with hoards of fans both old and young.
The current incarnation of Skynyrd, with guitarist Gary Rossington as the only full-time original member, still boasts an impressive pedigree, including original singer Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother Johnny on vocals, and original drummer Rickey Medlocke now on lead guitar. Check back with Examiner.com this weekend for a preshow interview with Rickey as he discusses his musical influences, modern politics, Skynyrd history, and more.
The band, playing their fourth New York metro area appearance since August, opened with new song Skynyrd Nation, one of four new tunes that would be played over the night. The Wellmont Theater’s stage was heavily packed, as the band now consists of a staggering nine musicians filling out the classic triple guitar sound. Flatscreen TVs flashed Skynyrd images as singer Johnny Van Zant belted out songs old and new, and the audience of long time fans sang along to classic tunes such as Gimme Back My Bullets, Tuesday's Gone, That Smell, and the always poignant Simple Man, which Van Zant dedicated to US troops both home and overseas.
Newer tunes off Skynyrd’s freshly released album, God & Guns, also featured prominently in the setlist, and were well received by the crowd, especially the hard-rocking radio hit Still Unbroken. In another merging of the old and new, a noticeable amount of children were present in the audience, cheering right next to their proud parents, especially during the bands’ best known material such as Sweet Home Alabama as a new generation was introduced to one of the best-known rock bands of all time.
Of course, no Lynyrd Skynyrd concert would be complete without an encore performance of Free Bird, arguably the most famous encore song of all time. The band played the classic ballad with the same tight perfection they demonstrated the entire night, keyboardist Peter Keys hammering away at his piano while Medlocke shredded through the solo regularly voted to the top five of virtually every list of all-time best guitar, solo, or rock songs. Flatscreen TVs displayed the names of Skynyrd members who have passed away over the years, as all of the musicians powered their way through the heavy metal guitar climax of the song, Van Zant hoisting an American flag tied to his microphone stand high above his head as the audience roared in appreciation.
As Rickey Medlocke said earlier in the day, “Lynyrd Skynyrd may be called Southern rock, but really it’s American rock. We’re as American as can be.” Truly, last night’s performance demonstrated one of the last classic rock bands still touring and making new music, with no sign of slowing down. From first song to last, Skynyrd delivered a hard rocking concert that satisfied everyone, and made it clear that they plan to be around for a long time yet. While last night night's show was the fourth and final local appearance for 2009, expect the Skynyrd family to roll around again soon.
Skynyrd Still Skyward
Skynyrd Still Skyward
by Mark Smith
TRAGEDY and triumph.
Never have two words been more deeply entrenched in the psyche of a music group than with American rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Since its formation as a garage band in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, it seems the group has never been able to experience one without the other.
Amazon's Deal Of The Day
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Amazon's Deal Of The Day
Get God & Guns for $2.99
Head over to Amazon right now to purchase the digital bundle of Skynyrd's new album, God & Guns for the low price of $2.99.
The album features the hits "Still Unbroken," "Simple Life" and the powerful "That Ain't My America."
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SKYNYRD NATION UK PRESALE
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" I believe that God had plans for me" - Gary Rossington
EVANSVILLE -- To lead guitarist Gary Rossington, it wasn't fate that saved his life when he was a passenger on the plane that went down in 1977, killing lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and two other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
"I believe that God had plans for me and it wasn't my time to go," said Rossington, the lone original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who will perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Roberts Stadium. "I believe there was a reason for me being here. It sounds crazy, but that's what I really believe."
Unlike many bands who once enjoyed megastardom, Lynyrd Skynyrd isn't content to just play old hits. They recently released their new CD "God and Guns," from which they performed "Simple Life" on several late-night talk shows.
"This band has a lot of talent and we had a lot to say," Rossington said. "We're very happy with the response 'God and Guns' is getting."
Lynyrd Skynyrd Stripped
We are pleased to announce that our Lynyrd Skynyrd Stripped performance is now live across 250+ Clear Channel Mainstream Rock, Classic Rock, Classic Hits, Country & Active Rock station sites! Click on READ MORE to watch the videos.
Another Great Review
Lynyrd Skynyrd “God and Guns” By Julie Rosenbaum-Engelhardt
"God and Guns," the new CD by Lynyrd Skynyrd, is a return to
form for the legendary Southern rockers.
After the death of lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve
Gaines and vocalist Cassie Gaines in a plane crash in 1977 and
losing two members just this year (Billy Powell and Ean Evans),
the group remained unbroken and put out this new CD.
As the words say, they "may have lost everything, but they're not dead, at least not yet."
"Still Unbroken," which opens the CD, touches the heart. "Simple Life" shows a yearning for the time when you sat down with your family and talked about your day, instead of staring at a computer screen.
The title cut is a political statement about how prayer should not have been taken out of schools and people have a Second Amendment right to have a gun.
LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO PERFORM ON FOX & FRIENDS ON OCTOBER 19, 2009
New York (Top40 Charts/ Webster PR) - Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing live from New York City as part of the Fox & Friends Outdoor Concert Series on Monday, Oct 19th.
Lynyrd Skynyrd will perform throughout the 3-hour program featuring songs from their latest album God & Guns, released September 29 on Loud & Proud / Roadrunner Records.
Fox and Friends begins at 6 am EST on Fox News Channel. If you are in the New York area, come out to the corner of 48th St and 6th Avenue to catch Lynyrd Skynyrd live on the Plaza.
Also, if you missed Lynyrd Skynyrd's performance of 'Simple Life' on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, there will be a repeat airing on Thursday, October 22nd. Don't forget to tune in (again)!
Lynyrd Skynyrd is Still Unbroken
Lynyrd Skynyrd proves they're 'Still Unbroken'
The Southern Rock icons played a 9-song set in Manhattan Wednesday night.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
By Tracy Bratten - Clear Channel Radio Digital
Lynyrd Skynyrd pulled out all the stops in New York Wednesday night, rocking out at Manhattan's PC Richard and Son Theater in front of 200 fans, put on by New York's Q104.3. After over three decades that have seen numerous band members come and go, most often due to tragedy, the nine current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd proved that they are the physical embodiment of their latest single, "Still Unbroken."
