Most Requested Song of 70s Rock was Hated by Label & ALMOST Didn’t Get Released! | Professor Of Rock
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.ค. 2022
- 'It began as an innocent remark precipitated from a lover’s quarrel, that progressed into an anthem for freedom. The legacy of Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd the 70s classic, the greatness of the creation from Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Al Cooper'It began as an innocent remark that came from a lover’s quarrel, it turned into a legendary song that has likely been requested at every Live Rock show ever since. At first the singer didn’t think it was anything special, then one night he laid on his back in the the corner of the studio and wrote it in a few minutes. At on point it was 17 minutes long. Once recorded the label hated it. They tried to stop it form being put on the album.Eventually this classic rock standard progressed into an anthem for freedom. coming up, The legacy of one of the signature songs by a blessed... and a cursed Hall of Fame band from Florida…. NEXT on Professor of Rock.'
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#1970s #vinyl #vinylstory
Hey music junkies Professor of Rock alway here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest songs of all time . If you know the wonderful relationship that happened between a pencil and a cassette tape back in the day, this channel is for you. Subscribe below right now to get daily content on the stories of the song straight from the artists.
It’s time for another edition of Number one in our heart where we discuss a song that should’ve been a number one hit on billboard hot 100. We place the song in it’s historical context since it’s original peak and it’s impact on our culture.
Back in 1970, Lynyrd Skynyrd co-lead guitarist, Allen Collins, was having a spat with his then girlfriend Kathy Johns.
In the heat of the moment, Kathy asked Allen, with a tear in her eye... “If I leave here tomorrow…would you still remember me?”
That frustrated lover’s question hit him right between the ears, and he couldn’t get the phrase out of his head. Allen ultimately answered Kathy by making her his wife later that year.
At their wedding, Kathy asked the Skynyrd band members who were there to partake of the festivities, to tuck their long hair under wigs, because she was worried her parents would find their appearance disturbing. Little did Kathy know- her innocent query to her future husband- would be the impetus for a liberating southern rock anthem for her husband’s band….the rock n’ roll hall of famers from Jacksonville, Florida…Lynyrd Skynyrd.
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Collins began developing music to go with Kathy’s unwitting opening line- starting with a chord sequence that he refined over several years. While the band was rehearsing with new material for their debut LP Pronounced Leh-nerd- Skin-nerd, Allen began playing his rough music track for the other members to hear.
Skynyrd front man, Ronnie Van Zant, liked what Collins was playing, including the opening sentence, but he had a difficult time writing additional lyrics, telling Allen that he had sketched too many chord changes.
As Gary Rossington recalled, Ronnie just didn’t get it at first.
Collins & Rossington continued to play the music of the yet unnamed track together- something they did since the very beginning of their friendship. - บันเทิง
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POLL: What is your pick for the greatest guitar solo of the 70s?
Roundabout by Yes.
Nothing compares to the solo from layla by Duane Allman. You could argue the solo from shine on you crazy diamond or the indomitable stairway crescendo...but for my money that original distorted plea for reciprocation that wailed out of layla can't be beaten, ever.
Long Time by Boston... It justs sings to me and caps off an incredible medley
@@NateGlitch that's not even a solo really....EC is playing at the same time and Duane was so messed up his part is totally out of tune....that's the LAST thing I'd play for someone to teach them about how great Duane Allman was.. to be honest. I LOVE the song...and really loved it when it came out...but when you break down those guitars it's easy to hear how much heroin use was going on during those sessions.
@@NateGlitch I was going for Layla also it always comes to mind when asked & Smoke on the water and Free Bird .
I used to work 2nd shift. At one identical point on my 45 minute drive home I would start Free Bird (the 17 min version) and as long as I didn't let the driving beat cause me to speed, I would drive up the lane leading to my house and as the final notes were ringing out, I would be putting my truck in park and turning off the key. Never arrived home in a bad mood listening to this song. As a matter of fact, it still makes me smile today.
I've heard Free Bird 10,000 times and I can't wait to hear it again!
Free Bird is played at almost everyone's getting out party when leaving military service. Played loud and proud at mine in '81!
Great song choice!
ETS! Echo Tango Suitcase!!
well it’s also getting a run at my funeral☝🏻
2010 for me brother. Thanks for your sacrifices 🤜🤛
Thank you for your service.
Freebird was the anthem of my youth growing up in 1970s Florida. Got to see the band live a few days before the plane when down. 45 years later I can recall the stage lighting, what they were wearing and how the crowd lost it's mind when Freebird was played as the encore finally. R.I.P. Ronnie, Alan, Leon, Billy, and Steve.
New Year’s Eve. 1976 Oakland arena. They kicked ass 2 hours.still no Freebird. Then Ronnie said “ good night Oakland. See you next year”. The place goes insane for 5 minutes. They came back and did freebird and crossroads as good as Cream could do
@@stevetidd9135 they did a stellar version of Crossroads, yessir.
Live forever, Gary and Rickey.
Johnson City, Tennessee 🎸
Yep
Greatest American rock and roll band of all time. Most people only know their many radio hits. But the deeper tracks on their albums are just as good and, in some cases, even better!
I think they're an awesome band!
I could not agree with you more. Long live the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. ✌🏼
You got that right!!!!!
@@lancetoon7866 That is a great Skynyrd tune...
Agreed!! "Mr. Banker", "Curtis Loew", "If I'm wrong", " All I can do Is Write About It", and many more!
I gotta say: Your content is so good, I can’t believe it is produced on and for TH-cam. The visuals, the detail and research you clearly put into it, the presentation, the interviews; everything is excellent. Thank you so much for giving us these amazing musical history tours in such an incredible way.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
It's one of the best professional channels on YT.
It truly is high production value that not a lot can match and the content is just *chef's kiss*.
Not to mention that this quality is delivered every day. Professor do you ever sleep?
💯
The Outlaws - Green Grass & High Tides is another one of those 'Must Play Loud' songs that will last forever.
Agreed.
I thought the same thing friend. 👍
@@dougpool4730 👍✌
Also Ghost Riders In the Sky!! 🎸🎸🎸
Southern Rock rules
i grew up on the west side of Jacksonville, FL (the same as Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, ), i consider Lynyrd Skynyrd music to be a part of my heritage. a true Jacksonville Westsider will stop everything whenever Freebird comes on the radio. it is as sacred to us as the National Anthem.
As it should be!
Rational Anthum?
I love Skynyrd.
Being from Gainesville, I feel similar to you about Tom Petty.
It still breaks my heart thinking of the talent lost that day of the crash and how difficult it must have been for the surviving members 💐
It was so tragic.
That's the true day That the music really died. Why Skynyrd still leading the charge. We could have stopped that Devil's spawn of music. Disco Disco will always suck.
@@glennpayne6925 I think the day that music died is still the Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens crash. Lynyrd Skynyrd one was probably the day that Rock'n Roll died. At least the rock that was able to change the world.
Looking at it that way. You might be right. I just believe that if Skynyrd doesn't crash. They could lead the charge to fight off Satan's span, Disco. In the late seventies I saw The Crickets open for Waylon Jennings in Jacksonville, Al. It was a great show.
@@JohnnyM4all “Big Bopper”
I'm was lucky enough to see Lynyrd Skynyrd on there 1974 tour of the UK. That experience changed my life for ever. Whilst we had some undeniablly great British rock bands in the 70's these guys were on another level. A truly spiritual experience that I will never forget.
Being a Jacksonville native and so are my parents. My father still talks about the band to this day. He talks about when the Rossington Collins Band was formed and they played in Jacksonville at the War Memorial Coliseum in 1980. They come back out for their encore. Just a spotlight was put on the front mic of the stage, they started playing and the sold-out crowd started singing Freebird. It was like if Ronnie VanZant was there himself. To everyone that was there. His spirit was there.
@@Charlee_Murphee Yes, a very sad day. A lot of history at the War Memorial Coliseum.
I was at that show that night. Me an my brother. I'm a native too. Lived on northside my whole life. Oceanway. We finally moved away last year. We now live in Florahome Fl. Oceanway ain't Oceanway anymore. I was sad to leave. but this new place is country living at it's finest.
I'm from Jacksonville, Florida. Lynyrd Skynyrd is still loved here today. I personally seen them every time they had a concert here in Jacksonville. And I can tell you the crowd went wild every time the first note of Free Bird was played. I can remember it, just like it was yesterday.
Child of the 60’s & 70’s. Nothing like the music. My oldest son’s graduation class chose Free Bird as their class song in 1989. I lost my son in 2011 so the song always hits my heart strings ❤
In my humble opinion, FREE BIRD is the greatest Rock 'n Roll song of all times! A little prejudice there because it caught me at a time in college when I fell in love with Southern Rock and this was it's ANTHEM! Many, many memories of this band and this miraculous hit as a young 19-year-old! The live concert in Oakland says it all! Thanks, Professor, for bringing this forward!
My oldest brother was my biggest influence on my musical taste. I always wanted to listen to what he was playing. He turned me on to so many great bands. There were three brothers in all and we all got to see Skynyrd on their tour with Bad Company. My oldest brother had made me a huge Skynyrd fan. I didn't know that just a week after that show I'd lose my Brother in a work accident. But after that Free bird had whole new meaning to me
So sorry for that abrupt loss of your brother!
Wow! What a great show that had to have been. I love Paul Rodgers in Amy band he was ever in. An amazing singer he was & last I heard him, he could still rock our with the best of them!
💕💕💕
Sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss but what a great memory
Most underrated band of all time. You can't help but wonder the heights they would have reached without the accident. Ronnie's genius was finding the talent and putting it all together. Stevie Gaines maybe his greatest find.
Great job honoring such an epic song from one of the most authentic American rock band of all time. Bravo!
I saw a Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour in September 1987 in Irvine, CA when Johnny Van Zant was singing. It was very moving when they started playing the intro to Free Bird, and he stepped up to the mic and said ‘there is no one that can sing this like my brother’ and he hung Ronnie’s hat on the mic and walked off stage. The band played the whole song as an instrumental and the crowd sang.
In 1991, after they decided to release a new album because fans didn't want the Tribute Tour to be over and the band didn't want to stop either, I saw them live. We did not expect to hear them play, and sing, Freebird...but they did. Johnny said that the tribute tour was over, that everyone agreed that if Lynyrd Skynyrd was going to be reborn then Ronnie would want Freebird to ring loud from the Texas gulf coast to Canada, from Miami, Florida to Seattle, Washington, and from Maine to San Diego, CA. There was an energy that night outside at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, WI, a palpable power running through the band, the crowd, the facility, and it was one ofbthe most moving experiences of my life. Ronnie, Steve, Alan, all those lost in the crash and later, it felt like they were there laying down their blessing. It was...Glorious.
they played Freebird last when they played in Evansville, Indiana and they had Ronnie Van Zandt on the screen behind the stage and it was a 15 minute song
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Forever Lives!
I fondly remember playing a gig on a stormy night in one of those redneck dance clubs. We were mostly playing blues-based classic rock, with a couple old country songs thrown in. During a short break, as we were grabbing waters and lemonades from the table behind us, some gal yelled "Play Freebird!" That got a few laughs from the crowd, and we chuckled along with them. Little did they know we already planned to play Freebird later in the set.
We decided to move it up and play it right then and there. When the crowd realized we were doing it, not as a joke but for real, they went nuts. Absolutely nuts. I never felt a crowd pop like that at any gig I'd ever played. When we went into the extended solo/outro, we had a showstopper to bring the house down: We copied what the Outlaws did with their "Florida Guitar Army" whenever they played "Green Grass and High Tides" by having everyone but the drummer (including a couple of friends we brought along for the purpose) grab a guitar and join in. That was six guitar players on a tiny little stage in the corner of a line-dancing club playing Freebird to a jumping crowd.
Man, I still get chills thinking about it. We were never that good, and definitely not popular enough for anyone to remember us, but that night...that night was just special, and Freebird was what made it that way.
I was a teen in the early 70's, and I distinctly remember hearing "Free Bird" on the radio while sitting around with friends, smokin' some skunk weed. Even the cheap weed couldn't damage such rock n roll purity! we all fell over in total love with this band, and the Free Bird anthem was born! Even after we were all "grown up" in 1977, the news of the devastating plane crash hit us all so hard. Never Forgotten...
Several inaccuracies in this documentary:
Allen Collins did not play the solo on a Les Paul, he played it on a Firebird.
Ronnie Van Zant did not compose lyrics on his back on the floor. He would sit on the edge of the couch in Hell House, hunched over. Ed King mentioned that fact in several interviews. At the direction of the producer, Ronnie did once sing a song lying on his back on the floor in a studio.
Freebird was usually the last song of the show, so the statement that they extended it to give Ronnie a chance to rest his voice makes no sense.
Ronnie said in a 1976 interview that in early days they played Free Bird a couple of times a night, as a filler song. It wasn't until 75 or so the song became their encore.
You should have heard them play this live in concert. Even the CD doesn’t give it justice. Skynyrd was one of those rare chances that you get, to see a shooting star in the night sky. October 20, 1977 was a bleak day where I live in TN.
I totally agree. Free Bird is best heard LIVE. With me living in Jacksonville, I can not tell you how many times I seen Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert. Pretty much every time they played here. Free Bird was always a crowd pleaser.
I did August 27th 1977 Anaheim Stadium California. Unbelievable performance.
One of the greatest songs ever written. That three guitar onslaught will never be matched. And who can forget that performance at Knebworth when they blew the Stones out of the Park. I remember seeing the actual guitar Allen Collins used to record it in the HRC in Tampa. Bit of a Holy Grail item for me.
One of the best songs ever.
The Outlaws also had some great extended guitar solos featuring three guitars. They were from Tampa Florida and their music was released almost the same time as Skynyrd.
I seen both bands live back in the day and think The Outlaws had the triple guitar onslaught developed to a higher degree than Skynyrd but lacked the pop songs needed to break through like Skynyrd did.
Try "Green Grass and High Tides" by The Outlaws, with their "Florida Guitar Army". I'm not saying they matched Freebird, but I'm also not saying they didn't. Especially during live sets, where every damn person on or near the stage would grab a guitar and join the fun.
@@tenlittleindians I like the Outlaws , just that Freebird is an all time favourite
Was it the Hamer?
For many of us from that era, "Free Bird" and "That Smell" took on a special significance after the plane crash. Both songs seemed to express more than the original intent.
The last concert I ever attended, (in Cleveland, Ohio) was Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Out Laws. (about a year before the plane crash) That was one super concert.
There is a man named Doyle Dykes, who is a superb guitarist. He did an acoustic 12 string instrumental version of "Free Bird", actually at my church, once. (he went to collage with the pastor) It is the only time I've been moved to tears by a tune. Doyle said; "I'm going to visit my dad's grave (that week). Ronnie is burred close by. I'm going to tell him I played Free Bird for him IN CHURCH". Take a little time to view Dole Dykes Free Bird, it is well worth the listen.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is another band that defined rock music in the 1970's Their music is still well played on the Classic Rock stations. especially Free Bird. Tune in and "TURN IT UP".
I saw Doyle Dykes in concert many years ago. I'll never forget that at the meet and greet he jumped back about 3 feet when I extended my arm to shake his hand. I apologized if I had startled him and he informed me that at a previous show someone had been too overzealous with their grip and he quit shaking hands after that experience. I let him know that I understood completely 🙂
Doyle is also from Jacksonville you know. He is truly a awesome manI have met him many times
I knew Allen Collins and HE told me the story about Doyle playing for them at Allens house.
I asked if Allen and the guys jammed with Doyle, and he said HELL NO, they couldnt play like that.
They couldnt keep up with Doyle...lol...
And you are right, that version of Freebird is really something...my favorite cover....Allen would be SO honored to hear that one.
@@edwhite7475 Allen Collins was an amazing guitarist as was Gary Rossington and Steve Gaines. The crazy thing is that Van Zandt, Collins and Rossington all went to high school together. Thanks for sharing 👍
In the mid 70's, when I was in college, Lynyrd Skynyrd was playing a show in Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. My friends and I drove down from college to check it out. The opening act was Montrose. Both bands were awesome. But when Skynyrd came out to play Free Bird as an encore, they invited Ronnie Montrose to join them on stage. It was amazing.
I lived in Indy from 63 till 2012 and I was there and they were awesome! Grew up in the best of times great memories
What a sight!
I can imagine the sound with Ronnie playing with them. Would have loved to have heard that.
Just for fun going I like to guess you went to Purdue or Ball State ? I miss MSA . A lot of great music was played there.
@@benjaminelsbury683 Yeah, I went to Purdue. We had some great concerts on campus, too, at the Elliot Hall of Music and Mackey Arena. But I had a friend who wrote for Radio Free Rock. She had back stage passes for interviews but her father wouldn't let her go alone, so I was a designated escort, so I got a backstage pass, too. I got to meet a lot of bands that way. Later on, I worked for a promoter as a lighting tech on loan to bands that toured, and I did stage security from time to time. And I was a weekend DJ at a radio station, so I got some concert tickets that way.
Heard it the first time in 73. Was blown away. Skynyrd has been my favorite band since. And I've heard Free Bird a billion times since, it never gets old.
Skynyrd was my first collection group. I remember the day of the plane crash and the sense of loss. Their blue collar workmanship to acquire a commercial audience was beyond other bands. Triumphs and tragedies, still love the ‘em. Thanks Adam!
We lost Ronnie Van Zant, an absolute legend, that day.
My dad and his brothers went to school with Craig Reed. He was a Skynyrd roadie (and eventually guitar tech and stage manager) who literally met the band by chance one night at the bar in a Holiday Inn in Kent, OH in 1973. He met the band that night, gave them a big bag of weed because they'd run out and they couldn't afford to buy it all from him, and went with them on the road...all because of that chance meeting at a Holiday Inn near Akron, Ohio. He was on the plane with the band when it crashed. My dad recalls hearing the news of the plane crash on the radio and pulling over to cry...obviously when you hear "plane crash", you assume everyone onboard died, but Mr. Reed survived.
Craig Reed got my dad and his brothers tickets to one of Skynyrd's shows when they were in town sometime between 1973 and 1977. According to my dad, he didn't get to meet the band, but they did get to smoke a joint in Skynyrd's tour bus before the show, which I found hilarious because my dad went on to be a Sheriff's Deputy. During the concert, rowdy fans were throwing firecrackers at the stage from the upper levels of the theater and one of them didn't quite reach the stage and landed in my aunt's hair instead, catching her hair on fire...LOL! Wasn't serious or anything. She was my uncle's girlfriend at that time and they went on to get married.
I supposedly met Mr. Reed at my uncle's funeral because he and my uncle were close friends, but I was only 10 or 11 at the time and don't remember him unfortunately. This was my uncle who's then-girlfriend and eventual wife got her hair lit on fire at the Skynyrd concert. Craig Reed lives maybe six miles from me today. He lives in Green, Ohio. I've thought about sending him a letter or something explaining who I am and asking if I could see his awesome Lynyrd Skynyrd memorabilia, but I felt like it would be a little strange to do so. He was pretty close to my uncle so maybe it wouldn't be a big deal for him, but I've never tried.
Anyway...I was raised on rock music and have never listened to anything else. I don't have any other cool rock and roll stories or connections to rock stars (other than the fact that my dad owns an old Ford box van that was confiscated by the Sheriff's Department at a Grateful Dead concert at Blossom Music center in the late 1980's because the guys who owned it were selling drugs and bootleg Grateful Dead merch out of it...LOL!), so I like telling this story. I don't think Skynyrd gets the credit they deserve as a band. They weren't around all that long and yet they have a huge catalog of great rock songs. They were unbelievably talented.
Craig Reed has a pretty cool channel on here. His show is called “the stoned roadie”. He has had guests on that worked for Skynyrd in the classic era, crash survivors and first responders. It’s interesting to hear LS history from the people that were actually there. Craig is a hoot as well. Definitely takes his title of stoned roadie seriously!
When you see the footage of the plane it is totally amazing that anyone survived let along 20 out of 26. Obviously it helped that it didn't have any fuel left to catch fire but the impact so severe that I wouldn't have been surprised if there were no survivors.
Gary said he & Allen were sitting in middle with Dean, Cassie, Steve & Ronnie. They always wondered why they even lived. A lot of survivors guilt esp the band members.
Thank you for sharing your stories and reflections. They remind me once again of how good the music was and our good fortune to have come along when we did. Yes!
EdKing got him the job.
I never was a huge fan of Skynyrd (a little before my time) but over time both free bird and sweet home Alabama are staples in my playlist. Baseball ⚾ apple pie 🥧 and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Turn it up! Happy fourth Professor!
Add 'Simple man' and you will have a great trinity of LS songs.
@@yoyo1899 Heck yeah! A trio of classics indeed.
it's the deep album stuff that's really great....Swamp Music/On The Hunt/Country Boy.....just going by the "known" hits won't get it done. Once you start listening to Ed King and Steve Gaines' playing alone you'll have plenty to keep you busy.
You should look up the Muscle Sholes documentary here on TH-cam. A lot of great music came out of that small little town in Alabama
Deep cuts for sure. Gimme back my bullets, that smell, call me the Breeze, working for MCA. All have great backstories.
Call me the breeze is J.J.Cale
He also wrote “after Midnight” and Cocaine. Clapton hits.
“The Swampers “ of Muscle Shoals ( very young Duane Allman) and “The Wrecking Crew” of LA are Must Know info if you want to know the history of some classic songs.
Carol Kaye is a bassist you heard your whole life and most people never heard of.
Duane Allman played the slide on Claptons Layla and made the song what it is.
I saw Skynyrd twice, first time was at a Who concert at the Cow Palace, second time was a couple years later at Winterland. I was driving truck when I heard about the crash, the truckstop diner was filled with sobs, one of the saddest days I had experienced at that time. Freebird is a song I can't help but sing along with whenever I hear it.
A friend of mine introduced me to this song back in high school (we graduated in 1982.) He was sad as he would never get to see Skynrrd live. We listened to their stuff on cassette in the car everywhere we went. Great memories. I had not heard a lot of these info, so thanks for the lesson, Professor.
Professor, you made me tear up with your story of lying on the floor listening to Free Bird. In 1975 I was 16 years old, and saw them in concert in Houston. I'll never forget it! Skynyrd was, and is, near and dear to my heart.
The organ and piano intro to "Freebird" won me a "Name That Tune" type game at a local bar, when I was a senior in high school in the early '90s. I was 18 at the time and probably shouldn't have been in the bar. The contest came down to myself and this Madonna fangirl, the type that dressed like Madonna in her videos. She got the pop tracks right while I got all of the rock tracks. We were tied and the final song was "Freebird." She looked like a deer in the headlights, when it started. I quickly buzzed in and won $2000. That song not only has one of the most iconic outros in music but also one of the most iconic intros.
BTW, the definitive recorded version of "Freebird" is the live version on "One More From the Road." I love that version of the song. My first concert was Lynyrd Skynrd a couple months before the tragic plane crash. I was 3 years old.
I think you'll love this! I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd live in concert when I was in my mid-20s in 1976. It was New Orleans at the old Tulane football stadium. Amazingly they were fronted by the great ZZ Top complete with their longhorn steer and rattle snakes on stage. Awesome! There is nothing like moving to the pulse of the Free Bird finale live in a crowd of thousands. The concert was famous for the New Orleans cops who nearly created a riot as they attempted to arrest pot-smoking concert goers at the foot of the stage. The experience of watching Lynyrd Skynyrd play Free Bird live was like being jolted by the electricity from their huge amps. Recordings do not do it justice. Amazing and unforgettable! Those were the days! In my youth I was fortunate to have attended many concerts by such greats as Joan Baez, Neil Diamond, Elton John, CSNY, Jim Croce, early Bill Withers, Sade, Grand Funk Railroad, and many others. But, out of all of them, this concert was the best! Wish you could have been there.
Thanks for the confirmation and history of what I always believed. You have some years on me, I seen Skynyrd a couple of times, but never their original line-up. I slightly remember hearing about the plane crash when I was around 8 years old. Didn't know ZZ Top was around all the way back then. I did Bon Jovi open up for RATT to put my concert age in to perspective.
I was at this New Orleans concert also. One of the best.
Free Bird is a great song especially when it seems like any concert you go to when an encore is coming up someone always tell play Free Bird no matter who the bands are crazy huh!
I'd turn on the radio and the song was everywhere. Happy Fourth of July, everyone. May there be many more.
I grew up in Jacksonville Fl and these guys are legends. My wife and I are friends with Billy's wife and hearing her casually tell a story or mention a moment in rock history that she attended as part of the Skynyrd family is incredible. We have had a few bands come out of Jax but this band seems to get more popular as I get older. 50 years from now will the world remember Skynyrd or Limp Bizkit (another Jax band)? Nothing against Bizkit but I feel like Freebird and Skynyrd will still be in demand.
Billy Powell, can’t say enough good things about him!! A greatly gifted musician! (As the other members of this band)!
✨❤️✨
What a legend.
Love me some Billy Powell!
That solo in Call Me The Breeze is so good I have stop whatever I'm doing when it comes on and just soak it in.
I also love the fact that Billy found salvation and loved to share it.
I can't wait to meet him someday.
Freebird was one of my all time favorites. Some of my most favorite memories was kicking back with my friends jamming to Freebird.
There are, in my opinion, just two songs so completely mesmerizing in Rock that transcend genre and time, Stairway to Heaven and Freebird. Thank you so much for presenting this story to such great effect. 👍
Lynyrd Skynyrd was the best American band of the 1970s. Never seen the original lineup. A little to young, but I have seen the other iterations many times. They had style, funk, swagger, power, and soul. My favorite song is Simple Man. Great lesson for everyone.
Having grown up in Jacksonville, you can't escape Freebird. It is a powerful song but omg does it get burnt out. That being said, I'm glad you mentioned the scene with Robin Wright from Forest Gump. That was such a powerful scene and I think the perfect song for that moment.
I grew up in Jacksonville too, and worked in a restaurant with a jukebox straight out of high school (early 80s). If I never hear the live version of Free Bird again (the "What sawng is it yew wanna hear?" version), I'll be happy, there are only so many times you can hear something. :-) On the upside and semi-related: once met Dave Hlubek from Molly Hatchet when he came in to pick up a pizza. Seemed like a super nice guy.
Regardless if you are or are not a fan of Skynyrd (I'm not really) you cannot escape the majesty and genius of this song. Epic classic.
You’re so right.
well said
Well said, indeed, young man. 👍👍👍
Yup. I'm not into Skynyrd but I think Freebird is one of the best songs ever written.
When someone yells “Free Bird” I say 100 bucks and it has been paid over and over. BUT!!
What really made an impact on me is the pilots who fly for the Navy. That’s their song, I ceased to say 100 bucks. This is our country, these guys are our heroes. I’ll play the song a million times over and over.
I grew up in that era and "Free Bird" probably evokes more memories of that time than any other song.
So many stories behind that song!!
Excellent job!!
Freebird has been my all time favorite song since I was just a kid of 14. That’s been 37 years ago and that Bird is still flying high!!
as a fan who was there back in the day, thanks for this bro. I was at a concert in 1975 where I saw Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, Loggins and Messina with the Tower of Power horns and last but not least Rod Stewart all in one concert. We were lucky to have been there when all this great music was born.
Grew up in the Midwest and was fresh out of high school when they crashed. Devastated! Fast forward a lifetime and I've lived in Jacksonville for 25 years. I've taken visiting friends/relatives to the (now empty) tombs, been by the original home, been to the old store of Curtis Loew fame and if you've been to any number of outdoor events, you've heard Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama. They're as much a part of this town as the St Johns River and the beach. Thank you for informing so many people on these incredible musicians and their songs
One of my favorite songs of all time. I still get chills when I hear it. I'll never forget hearing it live at the old River Port in St. Louis. Looking up at the night sky while listening to the song. It was incredible.
awesome !!!!
Thanks Adam, can't get enough of Skynyrd history, the music remains magic, after all the years sweet as ever!
Every band that played at my college mixers in the late 70s performed Freebird. That song always got us moving.
Simply one of the best songs ever written by one of the best bands ever known.
Thanks Professor. Growing up in the 70s' this was and always will be the Southern National Anthem. Saw Skynyrd in Nashville, 1976. I miss those days.
I love the Skynyrd live from Knebworth version. The time a little band from FLa blew the Stones off the stage. For me possibly the best Skynyrd album of all time. I was a bartender at Brother Jimmy's BBQ in NYC, a southern bar in New York. Every Thursday I would play the entire album from start to finish and I didn't care what anyone thought. Turns out all my patrons loved it. It became Skynyrd Thursdays.
My god I’ve been there on one of those nights!
Must have been ‘ 92-3
I was an intern at st Vincent’s at the time!
T for Texas at Knebworth is also just pure fire. The audience who probably never heard the song before got put into a slow boil and by the end were blown away.
Oakland is hard to beat.
Leon Wilkerson's bass part was a real work of art. It's also never really ever replicated by tribute bands. Ever building like Freebird itself.. I remember looking at the bass tab many years ago and thinking " Oh Hell that will take all summer to learn and memorize." So I did what most players do... Play a much simpler part and try to cop the spirit of the song. Always knowing I had really not done justice to Leon's part... Oh well... I tried...
That was ed king on bass on the first album, switched to guitar on second album
I was able to see Skynyrd twice in 1976, a few months before and after the recording of their live album. Being in the crowd for Freebird (back in the days of festival seating!) remains one of the most significant musical moments of my life.
Great video, masterfully researched.
A truly essential track and one that was incredibly meaningful for many people who were young in the 70s. It was my dad’s favorite, and when he was on his deathbed I held his hand and streamed it on my phone. He couldn’t speak by then but the eyes told all. Free as a bird now, flying high.
Easily a classic. I still get asked time and time again to play Free Bird haha. Appreciate the history man!
No wonder it’s still one of the most requested songs to this day!
I graduated in 1981. As a class, we adopted Freebird as our class song! Great memories. Thank you!
As a Florida Boy I saw Skynyrd a few times including their second to last show in Lakeland. Outstanding every time. Freebird is the ultimate Rock Anthem one never tires of. RIP
Loved Lynryd Skynard!! Free Bird is iconic!! We had the best music in the 70's!!
Awesome video, stories and commentary on this classic Brother. Growing up in southern Alabama as a teen in the 70s and picking up the guitar at age 12 in 71 Skynyrd were our idols. This was fantastic and really enjoyed and appreciate your awesome work.
Skynyrd and several other bands were playing a concert in Charlotte, NC in the early 70s at the football stadium off of Independence Blvd. I didn't have money for a ticket so I circled the stadium and found a weak spot in security. I climbed the portion of fence that was behind a small utility building so security inside couldn't see me. Skynyrd was jamming near the end of Free Bird, everybody was focused on them. From the top of the fence I leaped in and took off running into the crowd. People standing there outside saw what I was doing but didn't say a word. I saw the last two minutes of the song. They were jamming all lined up, Ronnie spinning the mic stand bringing the song to the climax. The crowd loved it. So did I.
As a lifelong Jax/Orange Park Florida, I was surprised by how popular & loved this song is up north (IL & WI,) where my extended family lives (and dies.)😕
It has been part of every funeral "soundtrack" I've attended..
🕊❤
Served in the US Navy and everyone that was a "short-timer" on their enlistment would play this song at least once a day till they got out of the service. I played more than once at the end of my second enlistment. And it was always the long version.
Never Again Volunteer Yourself.
as a kid of the 70s and teen of the 80s skynyrd has always been a part of my life. always thought the bird and SHA were way over played on radio back then.....and it probably was. but now days in my old age,I appreciate it and crank it up every time. the solo is still as fresh and amazing today as it was 50yrs ago. I sure miss Allen and his shredding and going wild playing that solo.
I remember playing Freebird with my band back in high school. It would be the the highlight of the show. The energy of that song is amazing and with always live on. 🥁❤️
Great songs in the 60s and 70s glad we were growing up then!🥰😍💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂💞
When people ask me when did I move to FL? I say Oct 20th 1977. My Dad was driving a U-Haul to FL and we heard the news on the radio. Skynyrd plane crash. (Thank God I escaped NY) but it was a long sad drive.
Wow, that's amazing. The day we lost legends.
I saw this band live in Kansas City I was absolutely Blown Away I've never seen any guitars thing like that in my life three guys just shredding it and it was so clear and concise and beautiful it will live in my memory forever
Just to think what could have been with a new guitarist Steve Gaines, his contribution to Freebird with his exceptional guitar work, is so incredible, he made Street Survivor an instant classic, and took the band to new heights, to have them with us playing Freebird today it should just be. Thanks for your great channel.
As a college student in the early’80s, I fondly remember a good friend yelling “play Free Bird” at every concert and party that we attended.
Along with the astounding guitar solo, the bass work is as equally fantastic. There is a moment during one of the crescendos where the bass is practically soloing underneath the guitar... pure musical genius
Yes!! I always loved that the bass was an integral part of that climax. So awesome!
Ed king
I was a Sr. In high school in LA (LowerAlabama) when we all lost Lynard Skynard. We were all sad and in shock! If you wanna know the genius of Freebird , watch some of the reactions videos on TH-cam! It will show you how iconic and beyond genre the song really is! My wife and I still tear up when we hear this song! It brings back so many good memories and makes us wonder what would have been if they had not fell from the sky. What’s ironic we lost Elvis a few months earlier so it was a bad year!
Lower Alabama. You must be from the panhandle. Awesome. We always called the panhandle area L.A.......and don't forget, in Florida, the further north you go, the further south you get.
Free bird blew me away when I first heard it in 1975 while stationed in Texas in the US Coast Guard. I fell in love with lynyrd skynyrd and southern rock having come from Boston Mass and an Aerosmith fan I came to love Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker and others. A whole new world for me. Thanks for covering this! I brings back great memories. ...Dennis
Always loved Skynyrd! Have all their albums in a CD set one of my friends gave me for Xmas one year because he knew they were one of my favorites. That's true friendship! 👍👍
One of the greatest songs of all time.
💯
I will always be thankful I got to hear LS do this song live. Though the band was very different by the time I saw them, Gary Rossington was the only original member left but I will never forgot being in the audience at an outdoor show in the summer, smoking a joint while they played Free Bird.
So cool!
No Ronnie, no Skynyrd.
Your passion here is incredible! Thanks for this masterful recollection of the greatest band ever!
THE SONG!! One can't listen to this without cranking it up and speeding (if driving), or feeling a little more free at the moment. One actually realizes there's no such thing as "too much of a good thing" as those guitars and drums take you up to fly free with the Free Bird! 👍💪👋🇺🇲🕊️
People keep talking about the guitar riffs but I love how the drumbeats were able to go in-synch, too.
Agreed.
Another great analysis. You are doing important work in preserving history.
Happy 4th, Professor!
As a professional guitar player this was definitely one of my jams growing up. 😃 I also agree that it was so perfect in Forrest Gump (one of the best movies ever). Thanks for the excellent vid👍
Tragic for the Fans , Devastating for the Band . But their Legend will live as long as Mankind has ears.
Thank you for doing this one! The first time I ever heard Free Bird I wasn't actually listening to Skynyrd. I was in high school and wasn't overly aware of Lynyrd Skynyrd at the time. I grew up in a house where country music dominated. I went my own way from that becoming a huge KISS fan, but then one night my friend's band played Free Bird to cap off the annual school talent program and I was simply blown away. The buzz around school was that they were going to play it but I didn't really know the song. By the end of the show that night I was a Skynyrd fan without ever having actually heard them. Since then Lynyrd Skynyrd is my favorite band of all time. Sadly, I never got to see the pre-plane crash lineup (the crash was 3 days before my 12th birthday) but I've since seen the current lineup twice along with seeing the Artimus Pyle Band once. I find their music fits my life and personality in so many ways. Every time I listen to Allen Collins' amazing solo in Free Bird it just boosts my mood so much. The way the song goes from the slow almost sad part to the fast end makes me think of the Phoenix rising from the ashes used by the Rossington Collins band to represent a new beginning.
Professor you nailed that segment. Very much appreciated the insight only you can bring to the table of ROCK. Thanks again and Happy Independent’s day.
The 70s Was A Musical Era That Will NEVER Be Matched Again ,,I Saw Skynyrd in 75 , , I Was in my way Back From A Highschool Football Game in Ocean Springs Mississippi October 20 when the news Came On The Radio About The Crash ,I Remember The Gathering of friends that Night and The Next Day As News Came Of The Fatal Crash , Skynyrd Will Always Be A Part Of Every 70s Era Southern Born And Bred American , The Music Lives In Us Because It Represents Our Lives , Mine Included, RIP My Southern Brothers and Sisters , Fly High Freebirds Fly High 🕊️
Born in 1970 and being a kid from Alabama, Skynyrd was one of those bands you loved with all your being. Unfortunately the guys and Cassie died when I was 7 years old but even after all these years I still LOVE them. Sweet Home Bama is one of my jams!! Thank you Prof for talking about Skynyrd ❤.
The most moving moment in concert history, Johnny Van Zandt asking "WHAT AONG DOES PROVIDENCE RI WANNA HEAR?!! " he then says" there's only man who can sing that song on stage, so we're not gonna so it. SO YOU GOTTA SING IT"!! And the audience sang that whole song while the band played...amazing!
Freebird!! Absolutely one of the rockingist song ever! What would we have done without former roadie Billy Powells piano. Great choice for the 4th. So many of their songs were real stories
I totally agree on Billy Powell. I find his piano solo between the 2 verses is as captivating as the guitar solo at the end, especially on the live versions. He was amazing on the One More From the Road.
Oh, man, thank you so much for the great honors you bring to the fabulous rock music and musicians! I don't think I heard Free Bird until it was at least ten years old, but when I did, I stopped whatever I was doing and became mesmerized. Teary eyed and shaking, I asked, what and who was that!!!! The solo is long enough that one can get blown away by the greatness of the musicianship. I can't even say enough about it. Just so, so good! I would venture to say that it's my absolute favorite rock guitar solos that I've ever heard. I have my other favorites, but Free Bird doesn't stop, like you said, it just fades away.
I love that you were so kind when talking about members of Lynyrd Skynyrd. So many bloggers would be nice nasty. So for that I say to you, thank you.
Man, this song is a kick in the feels. This has got to be one of the best solos ever! For me, it's right behind Hotel California. I still get goosebumps listening to this after all this time. Thanks, prof. of the records behind you, I have 3 out of 6. One day I'll have them all.
From around '74 until the plane crash, I was a big fan of Skynyrd. My cousin played me Freebird, at the age of 15, and it blew me away. I bought up the albums and was lucky enough to see them two nights running at London's Rainbow theatre. The crash was devastating all the way over here in the UK.
In 1982, I got married and my sister transposed Billy Powell's live piano solo ("Play it pretty for Atlanta.") for performance on a church organ. It sounded incredible and brought the house down. 😎 🇬🇧
This older kid I knew played me the One More From The Road version of Free Bird in early 1977. I commented to him that they sounded kind of "hillbilly like." He said "Well, they are from the South!" How did I know that? He then proceeded to play Sweet Home Alabama. I was hooked and have been a huge fan ever since!
“He played it pretty” is written on Billy’s memorial stone at the cemetery 💖
I'm from Alabama. On October 20, 1977 I was stationed at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA. I remember that it was around 10 PM. I was lying in my "rack", bed, listening to KGB radio when I heard of the crash. Devastation is the emotion I felt. I never got to see them live. I don't what I'm trying to say but being Southern one can only imagine how I felt that night. Thanks Professor, another great job.
I believe it occurred in October 1977 but still, how sad it must have been for you to feel the emotional impact of the crash.
@@xxlilly_playsxxkiz9980 You are right, I'm 65 and am prone to mistakes. Thank You for pointing it out to me.
@@floatthecreek YW
This was our senior class song in 79. Good memories!
Great memories indeed!
This was our senior class song in 1975
Awesome episode Professor! Southern rock is my favorite! Great to hear the story behind, "Free Bird" I've heard it a little differently, I've always heard it was their tribute to Duane Allman, with Gary's slide guitar and all, glad you included the whole story! Great work Professor! Thanks for sharing!
Between this and 38 Special, Professor is doing great with the southern rock videos!
When I was a kid back in the later 1970s my age barely had 2 digits in it, I used to mow lawns during the summer to make $$ in Jacksonville, FL. I used to mow Lacy Van Zant's (Ronnie and Johnnie dad) lawn every other week. After I turned 21 I used to drink with Johnnie at a place called The Londonaire Lounge on Sunday.
I miss those days