Perhaps we should relax, perhaps allow Lynyrd Skynyrd 2012 their right to American free speech.

None of us know for sure if anything we think is right or wrong.

Basically, we just go with how we were raised, and our beliefs here and now.

I don't think anybody posting anything about Skynyrd, that they believe in, should be insulted.

On the other hand, if we apply that same rule to everyone, there would never be a word
about anybody using their freedom of speech in the first place. Right...yes?

I love the fact that I can still purchase a Ticketmaster ticket in 2012 that says
"LYNYRD SKYNYRD" right on the ticket.

It won't always be that way, so let's just lift our glass to the band...SALUTE!!!!

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.

-Elliot Levin

"Damn the Torpedoes....because if you don't like it....This Freebird is just for YOU!"




I proudly stand with Gary Rossington....

Have a nice day,



Lucky

(Funny how two people can look at the same thing, and see it differently).



By PHIL LUCIANO (pluciano@pjstar.com)
Journal Star
Posted Nov 08, 2009 @ 09:28 PM
BLOOMINGTON —

Like most country-rock bands, Lynyrd Skynyrd extols down-home traditions such as patriotism, faith and simplicity.

But what about the time-honored belief of giving the customer his dollar's worth?

To be sure, Skynyrd delivered a solid, if predictable, show Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum. But just 85 minutes? Including encore? And just one encore?

Mind you, the itinerary had Skynyrd slated to perform from 8:45 to 10:30 p.m. But they were off the stage and headed to an awaiting stretch limo by 10:10. Moreover, frontman Johnny Van Zant had repeatedly yammered to the crowd about the thrill of all-out partying on a Saturday night. But the show was over not long after the evening news had begun. Did Skynyrd need to pick up the kids at the baby sitter early or something?

Some 4,000 fans had shelled out upwards of $70 a seat each. That's not far from a buck a minute. At that rate, a performer like Bruce Springsteen would be a billionaire.

Further, for some reason, the band did a medley of "Whiskey Rock A Roller," "Down South Jukin'" and "The Needle and the Spoon" - why not play the entire tunes? It's not as if time was a factor. And there certainly were songs left off the set list - "Tuesday's Gone," "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" - that could've rounded out the show nicely.

The band certainly seemed energized. The seven-man outfit was tight, with nice guitar work by Rickey Medlocke. Medlocke, the former frontman for Blackfoot, briefly played drums for Skynyrd in 1970 and now handles its lead-guitar duties. The craggy scarecrow of a man stood front and center most of the night, attacking his six-string with gusto and precision. During "Call Me the Breeze," he played a few notes with his teeth, but slipped once and recoiled, smiling and mouthing "Ouch!"

Curiously, the band is now down to just one female backup singer. The group, once renowned for The Honkettes trio, boasted a backup threesome as recently as two years ago. I guess downsizing is everywhere, even with Skynyrd.

Van Zant sang laudably. He never has had the range of his late brother, but his growl fits the band's tunes and mood well. The chubby, scruffy fellow chatted with the crowd often - though nothing too creative, mostly cajolings like, "Y'all show Skynyrd some love!" And, weirdly as always, he still does the entire show while chomping on gum.

The set sounded like a classic-rock-radio playlist: "Gimme Back My Bullets." "That Smell," "I Know A Little," "Simple Man" - along with some sort of song about Alabama. The opener - "Skynyrd Nation," off the new "God and Guns" CD - was well received. In fact, three more of 10 songs came off that album: the title track, "Simple Life," and "Still Unbroken." I don't know if we'll hear any of those when Skynyrd is doing county fairs in 10 years, but the tunes sounded punchy Saturday.

As usual for Skynyrd, the stage set-up was minimal: just standard lighting and a huge video screen. Sometimes, the screen showed the show in progress, for those way in the back. Other times, it touted images to highlight the tune at hand, such as pictures of women during "What's Your Name?" - just in case anyone didn't know that, indeed, this is a song about picking up chicks.

Still, the screen served well in places, especially during the lone encore, "Freebird." Old, grainy photos flashed of Ronnie Van Zant, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Steve Gaines and other fallen members. Rather than mawkish, it came off as tender.

And as soon as the tune ended, so did the show. Just like those departed bandmates, Skynyrd left all too soon.

This is from Fort Meyers, it's three pages long,
so I'll just get you started here, and give you a link......


After each tour, after thousands and thousands of fans chanting “Free Bird,” Rickey Medlocke can’t wait to slip out of his leather concert clothes and get back to sweet home Fort Myers.

“I just love it,” said the lanky guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, the classic Southern rock band playing Germain Arena in Estero tonight. “Everything’s just a little bit more low key. I’ve got a lot of friends here.”

During his breaks from Skynyrd, Medlocke spends his time fishing for redfish and snook, target practicing at local gun ranges and eating sushi at local sushi bars.

Tonight’s concert marks the first time Skynyrd has played Southwest Florida in about four years. Many of Medlocke’s local friends will be there — including Sheriff Mike Scott, who might show up in his sheriff’s uniform.

“I probably won’t have time to change,” Scott explained.....

(Just click on "View Source" below for the rest...)