One of the few times you can see Allen playing with much enthusiasm after the plane crash. Has to be one of saddest and worst stories you will ever hear.
Also one of the very rare times you will see Gary use his les Paul instead of his sg on freebird . This is a very special tapeing of one of the greatest songs of rock & roll time written by Allen and the very best songwriter that ever never wrote anything on paper Mr. RONNIE VAN ZANT !
@@michaelchmiel166 I'm convinced that Allen never got over the death of his wife Kathy in 1980. When that happened it sent him into a downward spiral from which he never recovered. Very sad.
I don't look at Skynyrd being a sad story. Just watch the Oakland or Knebworth concert videos. They were the greatest rock band that ever lived and they gave us there best everytime
Yall notice Allen wasn't playing his classic firebird and Gary wasn't playing his sg as they always did on freebird ? There's a reason for this . Gary and Allen wanted to use the same style of guitars they used in hell house for this show in tribute to Ronnie and all the original tunes wrote there .
Sad to watch this today due to Gary's passing. I sure miss Allen's playing also. What a hell of a band they were, now together jamming together again. GOD has got the best playing tunes up in heaven now!!!!!!
Gary said when they got back on stage in 79 to play again that the pain in his , Allen, Leon's body's were still agonizing but the heartbreak of losing Ronnie was more painful than any body pain .
Play it pretty in heaven boys keep on rocking your music will. Live on with all generations old or young R I P GARY YOU TOOK THEM ANOTHER 45 OR 50 YEARS ONP
He was one of the best guitar players ever. When my daughter lived in Jacksonville we had a chance to visit his grave and he had a lot of fans leaving flowers and mementos for him. Dont drink and drive.
And to think after the plane crash, his right arm was so damaged that doctors considered amputation. Allen refused it and had his arm surgically fused in a position where he could still play guitar - and look what he could still do!! FYI: He was my second cousin. RIP Larkin Allen Collins Jr.
@@kevenrowe2958 I only met him once at a family gathering with his mom and my great aunt who was her sister-in-law. That was a few years before the plane crash. Apparently I was confused on the arm in question as I was told this by someone who knew Gene Odom. As far as your response, I hope you feel great pointing out the shortcomings of others to help your own ego.
Am 67 now during the pandemic '21. Lynyrd Skynyrd will live forever in me 'til the day I die. Am not even a Southern American. But I am a music citizen.
@@billwalker7556 I didn't unfortunately closest I got was RCB. I was supposed to go in Nov 77, . It is big regret of mine & my husband that neither of us got to see them live! I got to see them do instrumental Freebird & there was not a dry eye in the place! Men & women with tears rolling down their faces. I hope they have concerts in heaven & I will finally get to see them all together, whole & happy rocking it out!
@@kathyrais574 the originals in the 70's did awesome shows. I saw them all 3 nights at the Fox Theatre in ATL when they recorded thier live album "One more from the road" best 3 shows I ever saw them do. The Outlaws opened for them all 3 nights.
These guys were still kids when the band ended. Gary, Allen, Billy and Leon weren't even 30 yet when they did this show here. That original band was something special. How they kept from collapsing in a heap playing this I'll never know. This was rough to watch. But they played the hell out of it. Much Respects.
Anyone else notice.... Charlie Daniels and his bass player..... Who obviously didn't really learn the song. Blew the 3 chords going into the solo section... Didn't do the stops in the middle of the solo .... And left out that amazing bass guitar buildup at the end of the solo section.... I'm afraid there will never ever be another band like the original version of LSB .... RIP
I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Cried especially during this song when they placed Ronnie's hat on the mic. to let the screaming crowd know that his brother wouldn't be singing this one. Very sad but beautiful at the same time. I don't know how they put this show on.
If this doesn't tug at your heart strings then nothing will. Purely an emotional version of the song especially how the guitars take the place of Ronnie's voice...
For a while whenever they played this musical masterpiece, the lights would dim and a spotlight would be focused on the mic and mic stand. No singing just the music. R.I.P. Ronnie, Steve and Casey. Y'all are missed still to this day.
In 1988 in Bloomington Minnesota I saw Allan on stage at the Lynyrd Skynyrd Reunion Show. Allan sadly couldn't play but when his name was announced he rolled out on stage in his wheelchair to a huge standing applause that was thunderous! I was so happy for Allan, he knew deep down how much he was loved! Yes he was a fantastic guitar player and deeply loved by all of us Skynyrd fans! ❤
Hometown boys were the best ever. Grew up with these guys on the Westside of Jax. Allen Collins is buried next to my mother in memorial gardens. Such a sad and tragic story. They all came from the sticks -- basically nothing to become absolute Rock legends!! Their story should be required learning for muscians regarding alcohol and drug addiction though wow.
The Van Zant brothers grew up in an area of Jaxsonville known as Shanty Town. Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special were also from Jaxsonville.
I was there. My ticket was a birthday present from my friends. Drove up from Lawrenceburg and spent the night at the Key Motor Inn (or Lodge). I remember after the concert we were walking through downtown Nashville and bumped into Lonnie Lardner a popular lady newscaster back then. But seeing L.S. was easily the highlight of the night for me.
I wonder if Allen knew how good he was or how much he meant to music fans and guitar players. He will go down in history as one of the best rock guitarists of all time. Gary, Rickey, Ed and Steve all looked up to him.
Yes they did. They’ll tell you too, that Allen composed all of the guitar parts i mean they all had input and help Allen with some ideas. Its really hard work and time consuming to compose all this and every note is spot on even live
I wondered this as I stood at his grave a few years ago, in 2021, would he have realized in his time, that after 20-30 years after he was gone, that people would be paying respects to him and his guitar playing?
@@deaf19830 Ed King composed most of the guitar parts while he was with them. Gary composed some too. You'll see that if you look up their discography details.
Absolutely awesome performance. Had to have been so hard to do. I wish it would have been Skynyrd's only reunion. Even though I got to see them a few more times in the reunited version, it was never close to what they did with Ronnie. This was a once in a lifetime band and the memory of it would have been better served if this would have been their farewell as Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Easy for y'all to say. This is all these guys knew how to do. Think of all they did to get to the point they did on upswing wjen Steve joined. They quit school, practiced 8,10,12 hrs a day to get to be so tight. They formed Rossington Collins which I loved, Dale has incredible voice, I saw them live. People were supported them but interest fizzled, once they did the Tribute tour, they realized this is what we love to do, I guess they could have worked construction or McDonalds. The guys with this caliber of talent had to have an outlet for their creativity & to live. Judy Van Zant tried to stop them but when you make agreement to bot use the name in their 20's, they didn't expect for everything to fall apart a few years later. I believe Ronnie & Steve were proud & would have wanted to carry on too. If Ronnie had lived not sure how long he could have kept up the vocals, he had throat issues to where they had to cancel shows, he told Ed King, if I can't sing I want my lil brother to take over, me & him will write songs & I will be your manager That's gow freebirf originally became longer, they did it 2 times a night (way back in the day playing dances & bars, they recorderd 1st & played it 2nd time to give Ronnie's vocal chords a rest & he told Allen to add a guitar solo in it as well. He was hopin he could have continued, maybe surgery but this band was Ronnie's life too. Listen to majority of his songs, travelin man, whiskey rock a roller, Freebird isn't abt sayin goodbye forever, it is abt the time he spent on the,road away from his family touring, it was who he was & he was sayin it has been great but gotta go, I know I am to blame but this is what I love to do etc. I know he is proud to see his baby brother out there still honoring his songs, the newer band is Ronnie's legacy that 40-50 yrs people still listen to Skynyrd, they introduce their kids to the music, my daughter huge Skynyrd fan. It speaks to Ronnie's ability to reach people & to write songs people related to. Yea he did a lit of rowdy songa but he also wrote beautiful, meaningful songs like Comin Home & Am I losin, Simple Man etc. It is your right to have your own opinion, I just think all people thinkin abt is Ronnie, Allen & Leon, Ed, Billy, Gary were all essential parts of the whole band that was Lynyrd Skynyrd & to ask them to give that up seems wrong. I hope when I get to heaven there are concerts all day & there are so many people I want to see but once Gary is gone, in Heaven, Skynyrd will be complete once again
@@kathyrais574 some people just dont get it kathy. why should these guys have to give up something they worked so hard for their entire lives up to the crash have to stop because some people who dont know them think they shouldnt for their own selfish sentimental reasons. many bands carry on after a member or members pass or they quit or get fired.
@@kathyrais574 ACB was a great and don't like RCB all that much. Allen was trying to get a band together with everyone and Johnny as singer. He still got the band together even though he was paralized. He had to show up to gigs with band to avoid going to jail. He would have been there even if he didn't have to. He also wrote about 5 songs with Michael before the accident and there is a go fund me account for Michael to get those songs recorded.
@@joemamma416 You don't have to give it up, just call it something else. Without Ronnie, Skynyrd were a tribute band from this point on. They tried with Rossington Collins, but let's be honest: that band pretty much sucked. Dale is garbage. Sure, continue to play Skynyrd songs, but again, call it something else. Is Led Zeppelin still Led Zeppelin without John Bonham? No. Is Foreigner still Foreigner will no original members? Not in my opinion, and not in most peoples' opinions, the same with Skynyrd. It's like how Sabbath with Dio started being called Heaven and Hell, even though it was still "Black Sabbath" when Dio joined in late '79. Being called Heaven and Hell....fans still knew who the hell they were. So yes, IMO they should've dropped the Skynyrd name.
just saw them in allentown pa. still one of the best live bands ever. nothing today comes close with these one person shows. 4 guitars jaming no electronic bs.
I know right! I knew this was a very serious moment but I thought it was awesome when I first noticed that. Also Allen seemed like he hadn't changed a bit.
I thought I'd seen every video of this song that was ever made but I've never saw this one and I absolutely love the way they did this . This band on its worse night is better than most on there best. And it's hard to watch this without getting all tore up . Ashamed that happened to them but you can't change history .
@@colten3743Yeah, Gary always kept his dart pinched between his last couple of fingers when he was playing the slide part. Saw it in a few performances.
racefan32 totally improvised.The band didn't request it. At the last moment one of the lighting guys just did it. The band said afterwards it was very emotional and perfect
You know Ronnie's gohst was singing his heart out for sure it was cool that the lighting director did that on the fly. Least the spirits in the audience could hear and see ronnie they were lucky ronnie and steve put on a good show for them and us we just cant see them
I remember crying at this show. It was rumored that they might do it. It was gonna be big if it was true. When Charlie introduced them, it was gave me hope. Thanks buddy, you made alot of dreams come true that night💯🎸❤️
Mine, too. Gary Rossington has always been my favorite member of the band. When you heard Gary playing you knew it was Lynyrd Skynyrd. Gary was also one of the founders of the band. His passing has been extremely difficult to deal with. RIP GARY ROSSINGTON 🎸🎇🦅🌹🌹✝️🇺🇲
@@peterbilt-bo1vyand what about Gary's Solo's in the past . I follow Lynyrd Skynyrd from the beginning for the plane crash and later and Gary was always my favorite Guitar player and member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Everybody has his own favorite the mine was the last Rebel Gary Rossington. RIP Gary now you again can play with all your friends and brothers again🦅
Man.. this song just gets better as the minute goes by! Love this group so much, its all i listen too and slowly working my way through the songs and hopefully start a skynyrd cover band here in melbourne
Be me. Be in 8th grade. Have a crush on the prettiest girl you've ever seen in your young life. Get the courage to go to the spring dance at school. See the DJs song list. See that Free Bird is coming up. Ask that girl for the next slow dance. Go to 8th grade heaven with her in your arms for the entire length of Free Bird. Keep slow dancing through Allen's solo. Have people look at you weird. Don't give a rat's ass. Felt good man. And Tammy, if you're out there, I do indeed still remember you. Rest in peace Allen, Gary, Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, Billy, Leon, and Ed.
This must have been hard for these guys, trying to carry on only 2 years after that horrific crash that left most of them seriously injured & broken. And losing their brother, leader & mentor RVZNow it's just Artimus left from that era. Rock On with Ronnie boys, RIP you'll all be remembered.
@@JJ-oe9wc Not correct. Mr. Medlocke is the vocalist on several songs including "You Run Around", "Ain't Too Proud to Pray", and others. He also wrote songs for the band. He's as much of an original as Mr. Rossington and the others.
I wish Skynyrd would have just stayed like this after the crash. Just the base of Allen-Gary-Leon-Billy-Artimus and get Ed King back. No front man could replace Ronnie. Just play and let the fans in the crowd do vocals, or just listen to them rock out.
As Long As Gary Still Alive and Going I think everyone should Just be Quiet about All that So he can hear His Lil Nrother and Gary and Friends and Family Carry on His Legacy Gary dont need to hear or see this Bullshit still... Cmon Ronnie had to Write Songs about everyone talking Crap All the way back at beginni g If you dont like the new You have the Old Gary Is Last Man Standing Think about it and Enjoy the music Sad to see this also So many People Give The Band crap And They got to eat too Im Sure That Ronnie dont mind hearing His little brother. Stepping into his Footsteps Johnny been through some shit too himself Gary said in interviews if Wasnt Johnny It would be no one And Rickey Medlocke of Blackfoot and Skynyrd in Early Years. I know People dont like them Using The Name But Gary owns The Lynyrd Skynyrd name and Do You Really want to take that From Him Cmon Really? Ronnies lifelong brst friend and best man at his wedding and muse of the music cmon Really I think hes earned To Use It Also as Last Man Standing. Just Sayind Peace And Fly High Freebird and Train Roll On!!
That would have been short-lived before it got old and tired. They needed good songs after 1977. The only way the band could have worked is if JVZ= RVZ. JVZ can't write songs like his older brother so they are basically a tribute band with some very mediocre albums for the last 43 years
I guess I'm just selfish. I had heard about them earlier but I first seen Skynyrd at the Knebworth Festival in England in 1976. And now if Ronnie, Cassie and Steve are not on that stage, it's not Skynyrd anymore. I loved those guys for trying to give it one more go, but to me, Skynyrd died in a plane crash on October 20, 1977. Fly High FREE BIRDS !
It’s very interesting because Gary hung out with Ronnie and his family. Ronnie was like 4 years older than Gary. Gary’s father died when he was one, so he clung to Ronnie and his father Lacy. Lacy would go to school and take up for Gary when they tried to kick him out of school, so there’s some pain there while Gary’s guitar gently weeps to Freebird
Wow. Did not know that. I knew Gary's father died when he was really young but didn't know the rest of the story. Thank you very much for sharing that with us. RIP LYNYRD SKYNYRD ❤️✝️🇺🇲 GOD BLESS SKYNYRD NATION
I wanted to drive up to be there, but right now I can't remember why I didn't,may have been work I don't know. Anyway I never went to see them after the crash I guess that was it. Gary from Tennessee
I will say that I really don’t have one favorite 70’s song. A lot of them are wonderful songs. Same with the 90’s. Free and stairway to Heaven are my favorites if I had to choose. They picked me up the most and light my fire. Then there’s Nirvana
I maybe 15 but ik a lot about them but it's a heartbreak of what happened to Ronnie and all of them except for Gary and Artimus cuz they are still alive but they have been through a lot though but it's really sad
true strength!! these days people just give up! Gary came out of plane crash with 2 broken legs and ankles, 2 broken arms and wrists and broken pelvis and within months was back on form phyiscally! now look at modern day football players..... nuff said :)
This might be Gary at the best he ever was, after the crash. Saw Gary after this when Ricky and Sparky were in the band, they were great in their own jurneyman way, but NOTHIN will ever duplicate the old line up, for sure. Steve & Ed both off the chart as well. There won't be anything like em again
@@kaidenmundy Actually Allen’s wife died due to pregnancy complications. Allen was driving impaired with his girlfriend and she died in the car accident.
Gary Rossington smashed his car up prior to the bands plane accident, the song "That Smell" came about because of the car crash, and the excesses of rock n roll lifestyle.
It's a tragic thing that seemed to keep happening to this band but yet they kept going on. I know there not all the same members but still great music I've seen them 3 times in concert and loved every one I've been too ❤️❤️. The first one was in 92 and a month after the concert I lost my cousin to cancer I just remembered this is the last song her and I listened to. The same year I lost my girlfriend she moved back to Florida because she was home sick and Maryland wasn't for her.
Considering that this performance took place two years after the plane crash, it's impressive they were able to pull this off!
One of the few times you can see Allen playing with much enthusiasm after the plane crash. Has to be one of saddest and worst stories you will ever hear.
He was absolutely on fire here, like a cat waiting to tear out of a cage!
Also one of the very rare times you will see Gary use his les Paul instead of his sg on freebird . This is a very special tapeing of one of the greatest songs of rock & roll time written by Allen and the very best songwriter that ever never wrote anything on paper Mr. RONNIE VAN ZANT !
He was never the same after the crash. Ever.
@@michaelchmiel166 I'm convinced that Allen never got over the death of his wife Kathy in 1980. When that happened it sent him into a downward spiral from which he never recovered. Very sad.
I don't look at Skynyrd being a sad story. Just watch the Oakland or Knebworth concert videos. They were the greatest rock band that ever lived and they gave us there best everytime
Yall notice Allen wasn't playing his classic firebird and Gary wasn't playing his sg as they always did on freebird ? There's a reason for this . Gary and Allen wanted to use the same style of guitars they used in hell house for this show in tribute to Ronnie and all the original tunes wrote there .
That's sad 😔
I didn't know that but Thank you very much for pointing that out ! My favorite band all the way around .
Guitars went down in the crash.
@@smedleybutler8787 ik that but is their a resin that you said that just curious
@@smedleybutler8787 so you don’t think they could have gotten new ones ????? It had already been 2 years since the crash
These guys arent playing for the crowd, Theyre mourning & in a zone deep within the music & the memories!
I saw that in Gary’s face..
Agreed. Want to leave like but can't be the number that comes after 65.
@@DonAllenScottlooks like he pointed upwards at 1:20
Sad to watch this today due to Gary's passing. I sure miss Allen's playing also. What a hell of a band they were, now together jamming together again. GOD has got the best playing tunes up in heaven now!!!!!!
Gary said when they got back on stage in 79 to play again that the pain in his , Allen, Leon's body's were still agonizing but the heartbreak of losing Ronnie was more painful than any body pain .
This was during the Charlie Daniels Band Homecoming Jamboree in Nashville 1979. I was in the audience. Very emotional. Lots of tears...
Thank You for sharing!
I could almost hear the ghost of Van Zant vocals harping here.
Same
Play it pretty in heaven boys keep on rocking your music will.
Live on with all generations old or young R I P GARY YOU TOOK THEM ANOTHER 45 OR 50 YEARS ONP
Allen Collins is criminally underrated. He's one of the all-time greats!
He was one of the best guitar players ever. When my daughter lived in Jacksonville we had a chance to visit his grave and he had a lot of fans leaving flowers and mementos for him. Dont drink and drive.
My hero
And to think after the plane crash, his right arm was so damaged that doctors considered amputation. Allen refused it and had his arm surgically fused in a position where he could still play guitar - and look what he could still do!! FYI: He was my second cousin. RIP Larkin Allen Collins Jr.
@@michaelbarnhart2593 *Left arm , get the facts right if that’s your cousin !
@@kevenrowe2958 I only met him once at a family gathering with his mom and my great aunt who was her sister-in-law. That was a few years before the plane crash. Apparently I was confused on the arm in question as I was told this by someone who knew Gene Odom. As far as your response, I hope you feel great pointing out the shortcomings of others to help your own ego.
RIP Gary - thanks for being a part of my teenage years and the wonderful music and memories - this anthem will live forever
Am 67 now during the pandemic '21. Lynyrd Skynyrd will live forever in me 'til the day I die. Am not even a Southern American. But I am a music citizen.
hope you got to see them live.
@@billwalker7556 I didn't unfortunately closest I got was RCB. I was supposed to go in Nov 77, . It is big regret of mine & my husband that neither of us got to see them live! I got to see them do instrumental Freebird & there was not a dry eye in the place! Men & women with tears rolling down their faces. I hope they have concerts in heaven & I will finally get to see them all together, whole & happy rocking it out!
I agree. Skynyrd was the best.
@@kathyrais574 They put one of Ronnie's hats center stage on a Mic stand when I saw them do that. very emotional.
@@kathyrais574 the originals in the 70's did awesome shows. I saw them all 3 nights at the Fox Theatre in ATL when they recorded thier live album "One more from the road" best 3 shows I ever saw them do. The Outlaws opened for them all 3 nights.
These guys were still kids when the band ended. Gary, Allen, Billy and Leon weren't even 30 yet when they did this show here. That original band was something special. How they kept from collapsing in a heap playing this I'll never know. This was rough to watch. But they played the hell out of it. Much Respects.
Sad to see this even nearly 40 years later
Anyone else notice.... Charlie Daniels and his bass player..... Who obviously didn't really learn the song. Blew the 3 chords going into the solo section... Didn't do the stops in the middle of the solo .... And left out that amazing bass guitar buildup at the end of the solo section.... I'm afraid there will never ever be another band like the original version of LSB .... RIP
I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Cried especially during this song when they placed Ronnie's hat on the mic. to let the screaming crowd know that his brother wouldn't be singing this one. Very sad but beautiful at the same time. I don't know how they put this show on.
And now Gary is gone. He passed away yesterday
they were only around 25 when the plane crashed. ronnie artie and cassie were 29, and steve was 28
If this doesn't tug at your heart strings then nothing will. Purely an emotional version of the song especially how the guitars take the place of Ronnie's voice...
The most Beautiful instrumental version of Freebird I have ever heard! What a tribute to Ronnie!!
For a while whenever they played this musical masterpiece, the lights would dim and a spotlight would be focused on the mic and mic stand. No singing just the music. R.I.P. Ronnie, Steve and Casey. Y'all are missed still to this day.
1 of Ronnie's Texas Hatters hat was on top of the mic 🤘
to this day still gives me chills......
Me, too.
Yo man! Epic song.
In 1988 in Bloomington Minnesota I saw Allan on stage at the Lynyrd Skynyrd Reunion Show. Allan sadly couldn't play but when his name was announced he rolled out on stage in his wheelchair to a huge standing applause that was thunderous! I was so happy for Allan, he knew deep down how much he was loved! Yes he was a fantastic guitar player and deeply loved by all of us Skynyrd fans! ❤
Hometown boys were the best ever. Grew up with these guys on the Westside of Jax. Allen Collins is buried next to my mother in memorial gardens. Such a sad and tragic story. They all came from the sticks -- basically nothing to become absolute Rock legends!! Their story should be required learning for muscians regarding alcohol and drug addiction though wow.
The Van Zant brothers grew up in an area of Jaxsonville known as Shanty Town. Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker Band and 38 Special were also from Jaxsonville.
@@billwalker7556 Don't forget Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot! ;)
I was there. My ticket was a birthday present from my friends. Drove up from Lawrenceburg and spent the night at the Key Motor Inn (or Lodge). I remember after the concert we were walking through downtown Nashville and bumped into Lonnie Lardner a popular lady newscaster back then. But seeing L.S. was easily the highlight of the night for me.
I wonder if Allen knew how good he was or how much he meant to music fans and guitar players. He will go down in history as one of the best rock guitarists of all time. Gary, Rickey, Ed and Steve all looked up to him.
Yes they did. They’ll tell you too, that Allen composed all of the guitar parts i mean they all had input and help Allen with some ideas. Its really hard work and time consuming to compose all this and every note is spot on even live
R I Power Larkin Allen Collins.
Rest In Paradise -Larkin Allen Collins. Hope that found peace my brother.
I wondered this as I stood at his grave a few years ago, in 2021, would he have realized in his time, that after 20-30 years after he was gone, that people would be paying respects to him and his guitar playing?
@@deaf19830 Ed King composed most of the guitar parts while he was with them. Gary composed some too. You'll see that if you look up their discography details.
I remember I was 18 years old listening to this live on the radio. The best band ever!!!
Still very moving after all these years.
Greatest southern rock band ever!
Absolutely awesome performance. Had to have been so hard to do. I wish it would have been Skynyrd's only reunion. Even though I got to see them a few more times in the reunited version, it was never close to what they did with Ronnie. This was a once in a lifetime band and the memory of it would have been better served if this would have been their farewell as Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Totally agree, this should of been it.
Easy for y'all to say. This is all these guys knew how to do. Think of all they did to get to the point they did on upswing wjen Steve joined. They quit school, practiced 8,10,12 hrs a day to get to be so tight. They formed Rossington Collins which I loved, Dale has incredible voice, I saw them live.
People were supported them but interest fizzled, once they did the Tribute tour, they realized this is what we love to do, I guess they could have worked construction or McDonalds.
The guys with this caliber of talent had to have an outlet for their creativity & to live.
Judy Van Zant tried to stop them but when you make agreement to bot use the name in their 20's, they didn't expect for everything to fall apart a few years later. I believe Ronnie & Steve were proud & would have wanted to carry on too.
If Ronnie had lived not sure how long he could have kept up the vocals, he had throat issues to where they had to cancel shows, he told Ed King, if I can't sing I want my lil brother to take over, me & him will write songs & I will be your manager
That's gow freebirf originally became longer, they did it 2 times a night (way back in the day playing dances & bars, they recorderd 1st & played it 2nd time to give Ronnie's vocal chords a rest & he told Allen to add a guitar solo in it as well. He was hopin he could have continued, maybe surgery but this band was Ronnie's life too. Listen to majority of his songs, travelin man, whiskey rock a roller, Freebird isn't abt sayin goodbye forever, it is abt the time he spent on the,road away from his family touring, it was who he was & he was sayin it has been great but gotta go, I know I am to blame but this is what I love to do etc.
I know he is proud to see his baby brother out there still honoring his songs, the newer band is Ronnie's legacy that 40-50 yrs people still listen to Skynyrd, they introduce their kids to the music, my daughter huge Skynyrd fan. It speaks to Ronnie's ability to reach people & to write songs people related to. Yea he did a lit of rowdy songa but he also wrote beautiful, meaningful songs like Comin Home & Am I losin, Simple Man etc.
It is your right to have your own opinion, I just think all people thinkin abt is Ronnie, Allen & Leon, Ed, Billy, Gary were all essential parts of the whole band that was Lynyrd Skynyrd & to ask them to give that up seems wrong.
I hope when I get to heaven there are concerts all day & there are so many people I want to see but once Gary is gone, in Heaven, Skynyrd will be complete once again
@@kathyrais574 some people just dont get it kathy. why should these guys have to give up something they worked so hard for their entire lives up to the crash have to stop because some people who dont know them think they shouldnt for their own selfish sentimental reasons. many bands carry on after a member or members pass or they quit or get fired.
@@kathyrais574 ACB was a great and don't like RCB all that much. Allen was trying to get a band together with everyone and Johnny as singer. He still got the band together even though he was paralized. He had to show up to gigs with band to avoid going to jail. He would have been there even if he didn't have to. He also wrote about 5 songs with Michael before the accident and there is a go fund me account for Michael to get those songs recorded.
@@joemamma416 You don't have to give it up, just call it something else. Without Ronnie, Skynyrd were a tribute band from this point on. They tried with Rossington Collins, but let's be honest: that band pretty much sucked. Dale is garbage. Sure, continue to play Skynyrd songs, but again, call it something else. Is Led Zeppelin still Led Zeppelin without John Bonham? No. Is Foreigner still Foreigner will no original members? Not in my opinion, and not in most peoples' opinions, the same with Skynyrd. It's like how Sabbath with Dio started being called Heaven and Hell, even though it was still "Black Sabbath" when Dio joined in late '79. Being called Heaven and Hell....fans still knew who the hell they were. So yes, IMO they should've dropped the Skynyrd name.
Got to love them Skynyrd boys.
.
Best band ever. Rip.
That had to be one of Allen's best solos.
Pure. Heart pounding. Musical history. ❤️
Indeed 💜🥺
just saw them in allentown pa. still one of the best live bands ever. nothing today comes close with these one person shows. 4 guitars jaming no electronic bs.
RIP Gary Rossington!! Born and raised in Florida these guys were and are my all time favorite band.
They were from Jacksonville, FL as were Marshall Tucker Band, Allman Brothers Band and 38 Special.
I remember watching this on TV and was emotional two years after when I seen this show, brings back memories for sure.
This is the coolest thing I've ever seen ... on stage playing the guitar to Freebird while smoking a cigarette !
I know right! I knew this was a very serious moment but I thought it was awesome when I first noticed that. Also Allen seemed like he hadn't changed a bit.
I thought I'd seen every video of this song that was ever made but I've never saw this one and I absolutely love the way they did this . This band on its worse night is better than most on there best. And it's hard to watch this without getting all tore up . Ashamed that happened to them but you can't change history .
Their music will live on forever
I was only 9 years old when i heard that song for the first time I'm 55 now and still love their music ❤️
At about the 3.00 mark... pauses picking to wipe away the tears... heartwrentching to watch. This version is incredible considering the circumstances.
Sorry to ruin the moment but I’m pretty sure he was taking a drag off his dart
@@colten3743Yeah, Gary always kept his dart pinched between his last couple of fingers when he was playing the slide part. Saw it in a few performances.
I love that Gary and Alan were two different styles of guitarist, but yet they put together in my opinion the best rock music ever made
Wow the spotlight on the empty mic...
racefan32 totally improvised.The band didn't request it. At the last moment one of the lighting guys just did it. The band said afterwards it was very emotional and perfect
You know Ronnie's gohst was singing his heart out for sure it was cool that the lighting director did that on the fly. Least the spirits in the audience could hear and see ronnie they were lucky ronnie and steve put on a good show for them and us we just cant see them
I remember crying at this show. It was rumored that they might do it. It was gonna be big if it was true. When Charlie introduced them, it was gave me hope. Thanks buddy, you made alot of dreams come true that night💯🎸❤️
a lot of people always highlight allen’s solo but gary’s work on the slide is my favorite guitar part on the song
Mine, too. Gary Rossington has always been my favorite member of the band. When you heard Gary playing you knew it
was Lynyrd Skynyrd. Gary was also one of the founders of the band. His passing has been extremely difficult to deal with.
RIP GARY ROSSINGTON 🎸🎇🦅🌹🌹✝️🇺🇲
@@peterbilt-bo1vyand what about Gary's Solo's in the past .
I follow Lynyrd Skynyrd from the beginning for the plane crash and later and Gary was always my favorite Guitar player and member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Everybody has his own favorite the mine was the last Rebel Gary Rossington.
RIP Gary now you again can play with all your friends and brothers again🦅
Allen Collins!!!!!!! Fists high!!
You can tell they're hurting rip Ronnie
Man.. this song just gets better as the minute goes by! Love this group so much, its all i listen too and slowly working my way through the songs and hopefully start a skynyrd cover band here in melbourne
Allen Collins & Gary Rossington, two bad mudda truckers....
Get chills every time
Awesome performance!! My heart breaks for those guys. Thank you so much for sharing!
Always love the piano solo and the chirping guitar ❤
i cry every damn time
Thank you guys for letting me know much love from Mississippi 😊😊😊
God Bless, SO thankful for this moment in time… peace be with them and all who loved them…. Be in peace
music history. this song is a mourning, so moving
rossington and collins was great togather. especially when they were like dueling each other. AWSOME !!!
6:57 I felt Allen letting his sadness by playing the solo..😢
wow ... I cant imagine the magnitude of loss they must feel.
Be me. Be in 8th grade. Have a crush on the prettiest girl you've ever seen in your young life. Get the courage to go to the spring dance at school. See the DJs song list. See that Free Bird is coming up. Ask that girl for the next slow dance. Go to 8th grade heaven with her in your arms for the entire length of Free Bird. Keep slow dancing through Allen's solo. Have people look at you weird. Don't give a rat's ass. Felt good man. And Tammy, if you're out there, I do indeed still remember you.
Rest in peace Allen, Gary, Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, Billy, Leon, and Ed.
Beautiful.
G.O.A.T, 100 years from now ,God willing, people will still Enjoy, food for the soul❤😂🎉😢
This must have been hard for these guys, trying to carry on only 2 years after that horrific crash that left most of them seriously injured & broken. And losing their brother, leader & mentor RVZNow it's just Artimus left from that era. Rock On with Ronnie boys, RIP you'll all be remembered.
Plus Rickey Medlocke who is as much of an "original" as anyone else as he was there during the formative years of the band's existence.
@@JJ-oe9wc Not correct. Mr. Medlocke is the vocalist on several songs including "You Run Around", "Ain't Too Proud to Pray", and others. He also wrote songs for the band. He's as much of an original as Mr. Rossington and the others.
I wish Skynyrd would have just stayed like this after the crash. Just the base of Allen-Gary-Leon-Billy-Artimus and get Ed King back. No front man could replace Ronnie. Just play and let the fans in the crowd do vocals, or just listen to them rock out.
Dave Quigley JoJo and Leslie aswell
As Long As Gary Still Alive and Going I think everyone should Just be Quiet about All that So he can hear His Lil Nrother and Gary and Friends and Family Carry on His Legacy Gary dont need to hear or see this Bullshit still... Cmon Ronnie had to Write Songs about everyone talking Crap All the way back at beginni g If you dont like the new You have the Old
Gary Is Last Man Standing Think
about it and Enjoy the music Sad to see this also So many People Give The Band crap And They got to eat too Im Sure That Ronnie dont mind hearing His little brother. Stepping into his Footsteps Johnny been through some shit too himself Gary said in interviews if Wasnt Johnny It would be no one And Rickey Medlocke of Blackfoot and Skynyrd in Early Years. I know People dont like them Using The Name But Gary owns The Lynyrd Skynyrd name and Do You Really want to take that From Him Cmon Really? Ronnies lifelong brst friend and best man at his wedding and muse of the music cmon Really I think hes earned To Use It Also as Last Man Standing. Just Sayind Peace And Fly High Freebird and Train Roll On!!
That would have been short-lived before it got old and tired. They needed good songs after 1977. The only way the band could have worked is if JVZ= RVZ. JVZ can't write songs like his older brother so they are basically a tribute band with some very mediocre albums for the last 43 years
@Dave Quigley. I totally agree but I think if they added Donnie it would have been legit.
Hell yeah!
Can watch this all my life
Thank you for the upload!
Agreed!
I guess I'm just selfish. I had heard about them earlier but I first seen Skynyrd at the Knebworth Festival in England in 1976. And now if Ronnie, Cassie and Steve are not on that stage, it's not Skynyrd anymore. I loved those guys for trying to give it one more go, but to me, Skynyrd died in a plane crash on October 20, 1977. Fly High FREE BIRDS !
I was at this show too. It was monumental. ❤️
❗️☮️🇺🇲🎸🦅 Forewer Lynyrd Skynyrd ☮️
happy I found this, .but its so sad to see.
It’s very interesting because Gary hung out with Ronnie and his family. Ronnie was like 4 years older than Gary.
Gary’s father died when he was one, so he clung to Ronnie and his father Lacy.
Lacy would go to school and take up for Gary when they tried to kick him out of school, so there’s some pain there while Gary’s guitar gently weeps to Freebird
Wow. Did not know that. I knew Gary's father died when he was really young but didn't know the rest of the story. Thank you very much for sharing that with us.
RIP LYNYRD SKYNYRD ❤️✝️🇺🇲
GOD BLESS SKYNYRD NATION
Rip Ronnie van zant ❤️
So amazing and sad at the same time. Gary and Alan are so in sinque and where is Wilkinson?
Leon had not recovered from his injuries enough to play yet...
Wow Allen playing a double cut Les Paul Jr. Very cool.
I wanted to drive up to be there, but right now I can't remember why I didn't,may have been work I don't know. Anyway I never went to see them after the crash I guess that was it.
Gary from Tennessee
I will say that I really don’t have one favorite 70’s song.
A lot of them are wonderful songs.
Same with the 90’s.
Free and stairway to Heaven are my favorites if I had to choose.
They picked me up the most and light my fire.
Then there’s Nirvana
Awesome..absolutely awesome...
Love it
Gary Rossington played the slide guitar part as a tribute to Duane Allman
Those boys in the late 60ies and 70ies showed how it's done. They were wicked but without being total idiots like most have since.
I maybe 15 but ik a lot about them but it's a heartbreak of what happened to Ronnie and all of them except for Gary and Artimus cuz they are still alive but they have been through a lot though but it's really sad
Gary is now flying among the free birds, the band form the 1970s is, sadly, no more.
This is so sad. I'd give anything if they hadn't got on that airplane 😢😢😢
FUCKIN' AMAZING!!!!!!!!!
Israel R. Monroy that is the best solo I have ever heard
who is watching this through a fog of tears.
I'd love to know what Allen said to Gary at 7:15?
I'm just guessing but maybe "I can feel Ronnie here with us"
When you're on stage like that everything is shouted
Or possibly "I hear Steve. Ronnie is here too"
“For ronnie”
true strength!! these days people just give up! Gary came out of plane crash with 2 broken legs and ankles, 2 broken arms and wrists and broken pelvis and within months was back on form phyiscally! now look at modern day football players..... nuff said :)
Was at this show... municipal auditorium Nashville Tennessee.
It is the best
chills
Fly high Darline Darling we love you and will miss you very much you are a FREEBIRD now
4-29-24 🙏♥️✝️🙏
7:18 Gary and Allen giving each other alittle boost love it
Just sold out jones beach fri 6/22 so id say the big wheels keep on turnin
This might be Gary at the best he ever was, after the crash. Saw Gary after this when Ricky and Sparky were in the band, they were great in their own jurneyman way, but NOTHIN will ever duplicate the old line up, for sure. Steve & Ed both off the chart as well. There won't be anything like em again
All great, but Allen made it look so easy he was a beast!
They did Free Bird without vocals as a tribute to Ronnie. They put his hat on a microphone stand center stage.
Why did Allen have to get in that damn car accident. Imagine if he were alive today, I bet Artimus would have still been in the band,
Vic Marrotti other way around
@@kaidenmundy Actually Allen’s wife died due to pregnancy complications. Allen was driving impaired with his girlfriend and she died in the car accident.
Gary Rossington smashed his car up prior to the bands plane accident, the song "That Smell" came about because of the car crash, and the excesses of rock n roll lifestyle.
Hard to believe this was only 14 months after the plane crash
Id love to throw the hands with the 3 dislikes
It's a tragic thing that seemed to keep happening to this band but yet they kept going on. I know there not all the same members but still great music I've seen them 3 times in concert and loved every one I've been too ❤️❤️. The first one was in 92 and a month after the concert I lost my cousin to cancer I just remembered this is the last song her and I listened to. The same year I lost my girlfriend she moved back to Florida because she was home sick and Maryland wasn't for her.
Nobody cant play this song like allen.Freebirds wil be never the same withot him
Nobody can play this song like Allen or Ed,
No Ronnie no skynrd, know Ronnie know skynrd!