He was the man. I always thought of Ed as the Mentor. he had already achieved success when he started playing with these guys. I grew up playing this music and listening to it of course. I contacted Ed on facebook a few years back. I had some great photo's taken of the band at a venue that i was working in as a stage hand of the tribute tour. Much to my surprise he answered me and many of my questions about the band. He said he didn't want any more pictures of himself and thanked me for offering. He quit because Ronnie was a dictator and actually punched him one night in Pittsburgh. My brother was actually at that show and he told me that Ronnie and a few of the guys were drunk and the show sucked. the roadies actually had to bring a couple of stools out for them because they were having issues performing properly drunk. i told Ed that. He said yes that was the night. his last night on stage ever with Ronnie.
@wavygr In my mind it's just Rossingtons cover band using the name. No way his line up should be using the name they just ain't got Skynyrds soul. RIP the real Skynyrd.
You should check out the TH-cam video of Ed King and Marty the guitar guy. Ed King quit and left in the middle of the night. In the video, Ed says that Ronnie was a "raw genius" and probably would come back if RVZ would have called him. Ronnie didn't. I don't doubt that Ronnie could be a "dictator," however Ed had some issues too, and wasn't taking care of himself either. Ronnie was the leader of the band. Sometimes the leader has to step on some toes and Ronnie definitely did. Ed King was a great guitarist. Thought Ed's solo on Am I Losin' was exquisite and one of the best. However, Steve Gaines was a great fit when he came on board. Street Survivors album with Steve Gaines and his influence speaks for itself. Lynyrd Skynyrd didn't miss a lick with Steve Gaines in the band.
@@terrihilder8217 First of all comparing the draft dodging steve ganes to ED KING is a joke and disrespectful. Ed was better than the dope head. As far as Ronnie few realize that the drunk was going to far!
You can hear Tom's voice starting to crack at the end like he is going to tear up. He seems connected to this story in a very personal way. What a good dude.
Yea. 1977 two very talented performers who are 100 million times more profitable in death then in living but it's a pattern the media is not allowed to discuss and after 50 years this trend just keeps on continuing. Death all by design
Yes he loved Skynyrd. And he was a younger man then and was probably a fan. Maybe he had chance to interview Ronnie and the band back then. If so, he knew how special they were. My guess is that he met and/ or interviewed Ronnie. Like i said, when you met Ronnie, it became an experience you could never forget! And i think Tom was there with them from the beginning. God bless you Tom, i know the hurt also.
@@acgillespie It's very true. The band became a legend after the plane crash. In another interview here on TH-cam doctors recall fans asking if "Leonard" was OK. The doctor was saying, "Who the hell is Leonard?" The average fan wasn't all that familiar with who was who in the band. They new songs like Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird, Saturday Night Special and many others but back then you didn't have cable TV or internet only radio and TV. They probably didn't even have vcrs in the 70's. There were no cell phones. Our soda bottle were made out of glass. We watched Monday Night Football and boxing together as a nation. Nobody was interviewing Skynyrd on TV and making them household names. There was a tragic sense of loss though because people understood that people in a band that represented the South had died young in an untimely way. I was 14 and almost to fifteen and I didn't really even know who the band was. The only music I had heard by Skynyrd was from my brother's 8 track tape player in his old Ford truck. Anyway, much of this cult of death is people feeling some sense of loss. Some people probably "cared" in a virtue signaling sort of way. This let others know you were a good person. I questioned a white kid I knew who was carrying on about Kobe Bryant. He was wearing jerseys and shoes. He was always letting people know about his special clothing or his Air Jordans. He did seem to like watching basketball with his father who he only got to see on weekends. Anyway, this post went on way too long.
Nice looking kids. God bless them and the rest of the family. Always my favorite band. Saw them a few times in concert. Awesome! Not just a southern band but a American band!
Get out your guns ol'boy and start shootin! .... What do you mean American band?.... These guys have touched people's hearts and souls all over the world.
I was at the Super Bowl of rock show at Soldiers Field Ronnie a broken leg didn't slow him down could not have been more impressive one of the greatest days of my life thank you very much
I watched that interview with Gary and it was fantastic! He was very open and talked at length about the affects of the crash and losing his brothers in it. Very moving.
Yea... Right up until he threw Artimus to the wolves! POS said get this Artimus wasn't going to get help, he was running cuz he was scared!!! SCARED!! WTF ! Like a scampering kitty Kat! Ya know like Da F GARY!?!? lots might not know that while he was busy "running away" he finally came to a farmhouse were he came frantically out of the woods covered in blood and understablly a lil panicky and started to approach the owner as he was hollering for help he was greeted with a blast from a shotgun that Winged him spun him around and dropped him! The Measure of a Man is what his friends either have or do not have to say about him. After I die if I have one friend that says something a 10th as sincere admiring and loving as what I've heard Artimus say about Ronnie I'd be Beyond satisfied with my life on this Earth! Angels and fuselage indeed!
What a good tribute report about one of the biggest tragedies in music history. You can see how emotional Tom is. Lynyrd Skynyrd was and still is one of the greatest bands of all time. I've been a huge fan ever since seeing them open for The Who in 1973. Saw them many times afterwards.
Artimus said judy is greedy....he also said if Ronnie van Zant is not in your band then you are not lynyrd skynyrd ,very true. One of best American bands ever....Ronnie would've been beyond thrilled singing on stage with his grandchildren , RIP to a legend and rest of late members
I'm sorry but Artimus is a liar. He broke the blood oath for greed. He was talented but I don't care for him. I only trust Gene Odom on all things Skynyrd
I remember Tom Will's reporting on the crash , Was a sad day for jacksonville , and all who loved this great band . Tom Wills thank you for remembering this band 40 years later . The band was such a big part of jacksonville . Tom , you gave honor and respect to our home town band . Thank you.
All I know is I am from that era. I was living in Florida with my parents and was 15 years old in 1977. I honestly could have gone to their concert at Lakeland, Florida just a couple or so days before the traggic plane crash but didn’t go because I had just gone to a Peter Frampton concert about a month or so earlier and my parents were kinda afraid for me, being I was so into music and playing my guitar and singing. Guess they were afraid of me using drugs and alcohol. Anyway no band has touched so many hearts and their songs live on. Please tell me of a bad song they put out? I also got to meet his daughter Tammy because she was married to a hometown friend/drummer of mine back in WV. She was very sweet and so Generous. It gave me chills to be around her. She told stories about Ronnie when she was a little girl. All I can say he was a much better man than people ever realized except for a close few. Not to mention a great lyricist and singer. He sang from the heart and wrote from the heart. Lynyrd Skynyrd will always be a huge part of my life and hopefully for millions more. If you don’t understand the Southern man you will never get it but thank God I am. Peace and love to all of you. Please spread love and not hate. I
"He was a much better man than people realized".....You my friend are 100% right about that! Ive met him and he had a wonderful strong sense of values and could be such a kind person! Do not be quick to judge him, people. Unless you ever got the chance to meet him, then you never knew all the rest of Ronnie. And that was one great, wise and kind gentleman with integrity. They dont make them like that anymore!
Free Bird was played into the ground, I can hardly listen to it anymore. The best song was Simple Man, followed by Was I Right or Wrong and Curtis Lowe. 38 Special tribute to Skynyrd, Rebel to Rebel. Everyone should know.
Johnny carried the on as a tribute to his brother and all the other members ,and don't! Forget the honkettes, they added so much soul to a wide variety of their music, I also think Ronnie's ability to write songs was just as much if not more, an form of artistic expression.
My friend has that album still sealed never opened remember they recalled it and reprinted it with no flames on the front cover after the plane went down you were supposed to take your record in and trade it
I'm so glad I grew up to listing to them, times were different and people were different then, but one thing will never change, and that is there music will live forever and never be forgotten
Happy I came across this video today. Well done. RIP Gary Rossington . I just bought the Street Survivors album when I heard the morning news getting ready for work. Knocked me for a loop. I held on to the album, of course. I remember them changing the cover after the crash. I recently heard that they have reissued the album with the original cover. Anyway -- I appreciate this news station doing this 40th anniversary report. It is a blessing. Judy Van Zant looks great. Hopefully she is still doing well 6 years later.
Yeah, you know this was an excellent broadcast and Tom had strong feelings in his heart. I personally loved the coverage and give the station a kudos!!
There aren't many bands that will carry a legacy like Lynyrd Skynyrd. They are right up there with Jimmi Hendrix. Skynyrd's music will carry on through the air waves for years to come. Their music always said something and had an unrivaled sound. My grandson came home from school a short while back. He's in the 9th grade. He couldn't wait for me to hear a CD of this new awesome band he borrowed from a friend. It was Lynyrd Skynyrd's greatest hits. That proved to me this band's music will go on for generations. They are all gone now and I hope and pray they are all resting in Heavenly Peace, but will have Heaven ready to rock when we all get there...
I still cry every time I see the plane crash, but I had tears of joy when I saw Ronnie VanZant's granddaughter singing along with the band Sweet home Alabama!
This is so beautiful I loved Lynyrd Skynyrd band and steel day god bless his wife his kids and his grandbabies my prayers are with y’all thank you for sharing with us hugs and prayers
Saw them live in Kiel Auditorium in STL in 74...Still the best concert I've ever seen to this day and Free Bird is still the best song I've ever heard in concert.
I've seen the band many times back in the 70's and they were pretty much the best live band around then. These days they're pretty much a cover band as the only living member is Gary Rossington. Yet little brother Johnny does a good job on vocals & if you weren't lucky enough to see the original band, I do recommend seeing them today. I've seen them right when they started playing again with Johnny, King, Powell & Rossington. People who hadn't seen the original wouldn't know the difference.
Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ Ronnie VanZant is the BEST southern rock & blues band EVER! You grandkids need to start playing the guitar and keyboard now so you can take the torch and play Skynyrd, this is the greatest band !!! Ronnie was the best, his band the best, they earned their hall of fame, love Skynyrd, forever!
When I was 16 in glasgow scotland...I had tickets to see golden earing radar love etc...but the band before was lynyrd skynyrd...I knew about them because I had their first album...big confederate flag and Ronnie in bare feet...nothing glasgow had ever seen...now I live in vancouver bc canada and glad to share that with you...great,great band.
I am half way thru watching this, I was so excited to see some of Ronnie and Judy's grandchildren, & hoping and praying they all end up being in the next Lynyrd Skynyrd band, and remember, any Skynyrd is better than no Skynyrd southern rock, I bet those kids are born singers.
I remember you Tom when you were much younger, LOL and so was I. I graduated Terry Parker HS in 1977 and like all LS fans was shocked about the crash. I saw them Once in the "Gator Bowl" either right before or just a time after the crash. They will always be Jacksonville's Band :-)
I willed a huge Lynyrd Skynyrd fan back in the day before the plane crash. To me it was never the same after losing Ronnie. I saw them live in concert at least five times. They will forever be missed by me. Prayers for the families !
I know a guy that is realated to Ronnie a Johnny van zant he has a farm right down the road from me and one of his family members went to our hunting lease yesterday and we shot some guns that he bought but they are good people that everyone should meet
If Freebird sounds a lot different every night and from over the years, it would be because the replacement players don't play much like the original band members.
Bob C. Just wondering what was it like? Did you even realize at the time that you were witnessing greatness? I went with my mother to see Elvis when I was really young. Slept most of the way through the show. How I regret that now.
That's RIGHT... FREE BIRD !!! Is the BEST song EVER !!! I was 17 when this HAPPENED. I remembered this SAD, SAD, SAD!!! TIME, I am a 60 year old GRANDMA and I ROCK so MANY times with EVERY lyric of every song. My husband and I bought the Double Gold and Platinum album on our Honeymoon ! We will be married 40 years ! Ronnie is a FREE BIRD ✌🌈
So did I but I usually try to hide it in case someone walks in but for something like this everyone who knows what these people meant understand why we cry over stuff like this
Jeffrey Goodin this brought tears to my eyes. grew up with this stuff. I was 14 yrs old and my oldest brother took me to see them and many other greats in Chicago at Soldiers Field in the summer of '77
Yes, thank Lacy! What an incredible man he was. He taught his children well. They had respect, manners, loyalty and values. If only other young people where brought up the way the Van Zant children were, i do think this world would be a better place for that!
Seems too much entitled brattyness around, slack parents don't discipline or instill basic manners; we all suffer! *Think Ronnie was getting wiser about fighting, in a '76 interview he said 'Now, instead of people punching each other out, we just levy a fine. Hitting him does no good. Breaking up a hotel room doesn’t change anything. The best way to hit a man is in his pocket' He was maturing, evolving; heartbreaking he didn't get longer on that path - 'I’m 27 now & I’ve got a baby girl & I plan to stick around & watch her grow up. I also plan to collect for the last 10 years of self abuse' 😢 RIP, RIG x
'Sweet Home Alabama" is only one great song , I can listen to every Skynyrd album and love them all. Steve Gaines was one of the best guitarists and especially on slide. Their music will always be with me . I miss Jo Jo too, a very sweet woman.
As i understand it, they didn't "run out of fuel." Rather, the engines quit. It was a crap plane, that nobody wanted. A witness saw the plane dump the fuel before they crashed. That's the ONLY reason there were any survivors, because there wasn't a fire. Everyone was trapped inside the mangled plane. They needed help getting out.
I see the original Skynyrd band in concert back in 1976 it's hard to believe that plane crash happened almost a year after when I saw the original band members Ronnie Allan Billy Steve Leon artimus and Gary
They don’t look like him at all. You want them to, so you think they do.🙄They have three other grandparents, a father etc. and of course you think they look like the famous relative. Here’s another eye roll for you.🙄
Oct 15 1977 I was at the Hollywood Sportatorium right up front almost being crushed. Great show of course. Anyone from Miramar High school care to comment.
For some odd reason, Rossington and Collins convinced this woman that she had total say on whether the band could continue or not. And under which name, and how many tribute shows they could perform. Huge mistake.
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I'd like to bid an RIP to the man that brought this infamous riff to life. We'll miss you, Ed King!
He was the man. I always thought of Ed as the Mentor. he had already achieved success when he started playing with these guys. I grew up playing this music and listening to it of course. I contacted Ed on facebook a few years back. I had some great photo's taken of the band at a venue that i was working in as a stage hand of the tribute tour. Much to my surprise he answered me and many of my questions about the band. He said he didn't want any more pictures of himself and thanked me for offering. He quit because Ronnie was a dictator and actually punched him one night in Pittsburgh. My brother was actually at that show and he told me that Ronnie and a few of the guys were drunk and the show sucked. the roadies actually had to bring a couple of stools out for them because they were having issues performing properly drunk. i told Ed that. He said yes that was the night. his last night on stage ever with Ronnie.
@wavygr hmm
@wavygr In my mind it's just Rossingtons cover band using the name. No way his line up should be using the name they just ain't got Skynyrds soul. RIP the real Skynyrd.
You should check out the TH-cam video of Ed King and Marty the guitar guy. Ed King quit and left in the middle of the night.
In the video, Ed says that Ronnie was a "raw genius" and probably would come back if RVZ would have called him. Ronnie didn't.
I don't doubt that Ronnie could be a "dictator," however Ed had some issues too, and wasn't taking care of himself either.
Ronnie was the leader of the band. Sometimes the leader has to step on some toes and Ronnie definitely did.
Ed King was a great guitarist. Thought Ed's solo on Am I Losin' was exquisite and one of the best. However, Steve Gaines was a great fit when he came on board. Street Survivors album with Steve Gaines and his influence speaks for itself. Lynyrd Skynyrd didn't miss a lick with Steve Gaines in the band.
@@terrihilder8217 First of all comparing the draft dodging steve ganes to ED KING is a joke and disrespectful. Ed was better than the dope head. As far as Ronnie few realize that the drunk was going to far!
You can hear Tom's voice starting to crack at the end like he is going to tear up. He seems connected to this story in a very personal way. What a good dude.
Yea. 1977 two very talented performers who are 100 million times more profitable in death then in living but it's a pattern the media is not allowed to discuss and after 50 years this trend just keeps on continuing. Death all by design
Yes he loved Skynyrd. And he was a younger man then and was probably a fan. Maybe he had chance to interview Ronnie and the band back then. If so, he knew how special they were. My guess is that he met and/ or interviewed Ronnie. Like i said, when you met Ronnie, it became an experience you could never forget! And i think Tom was there with them from the beginning. God bless you Tom, i know the hurt also.
@@acgillespie It's very true. The band became a legend after the plane crash. In another interview here on TH-cam doctors recall fans asking if "Leonard" was OK. The doctor was saying, "Who the hell is Leonard?" The average fan wasn't all that familiar with who was who in the band. They new songs like Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird, Saturday Night Special and many others but back then you didn't have cable TV or internet only radio and TV. They probably didn't even have vcrs in the 70's. There were no cell phones. Our soda bottle were made out of glass. We watched Monday Night Football and boxing together as a nation. Nobody was interviewing Skynyrd on TV and making them household names. There was a tragic sense of loss though because people understood that people in a band that represented the South had died young in an untimely way. I was 14 and almost to fifteen and I didn't really even know who the band was. The only music I had heard by Skynyrd was from my brother's 8 track tape player in his old Ford truck. Anyway, much of this cult of death is people feeling some sense of loss. Some people probably "cared" in a virtue signaling sort of way. This let others know you were a good person. I questioned a white kid I knew who was carrying on about Kobe Bryant. He was wearing jerseys and shoes. He was always letting people know about his special clothing or his Air Jordans. He did seem to like watching basketball with his father who he only got to see on weekends. Anyway, this post went on way too long.
I think he was one of the reporters that broke the story the day of the plane crash
For Christ's sake he was there
I can't believe those grandchildren had not been to a Skynyrd show before this. I'm glad they finally got to see it though.
I was shocked also
Nice looking kids. God bless them and the rest of the family. Always my favorite band. Saw them a few times in concert. Awesome! Not just a southern band but a American band!
Get out your guns ol'boy and start shootin! .... What do you mean American band?.... These guys have touched people's hearts and souls all over the world.
I was at the Super Bowl of rock show at Soldiers Field Ronnie a broken leg didn't slow him down could not have been more impressive one of the greatest days of my life thank you very much
Still my favorite band! If you are from Florida and my age they were the best band ever!
What a great TV station that covers such a great Rock & Roll Band. Thank you!
Rest Easy....You guys brought great joy to all of us....Rest Easy my friends
Precious grandchildren deserve to be proud of there granddaddy!!
I watched that interview with Gary and it was fantastic! He was very open and talked at length about the affects of the crash and losing his brothers in it. Very moving.
Yea... Right up until he threw Artimus to the wolves! POS said get this Artimus wasn't going to get help, he was running cuz he was scared!!! SCARED!! WTF ! Like a scampering kitty Kat! Ya know like Da F GARY!?!? lots might not know that while he was busy "running away" he finally came to a farmhouse were he came frantically out of the woods covered in blood and understablly a lil panicky and started to approach the owner as he was hollering for help he was greeted with a blast from a shotgun that Winged him spun him around and dropped him! The Measure of a Man is what his friends either have or do not have to say about him. After I die if I have one friend that says something a 10th as sincere admiring and loving as what I've heard Artimus say about Ronnie I'd be Beyond satisfied with my life on this Earth! Angels and fuselage indeed!
I met Judy twice. She was very nice and kind both times. I became friends with Lacy VanZant , Johnny and Donnie VanZant. All great people.
What a good tribute report about one of the biggest tragedies in music history. You can see how emotional Tom is. Lynyrd Skynyrd was and still is one of the greatest bands of all time. I've been a huge fan ever since seeing them open for The Who in 1973. Saw them many times afterwards.
Artimus said judy is greedy....he also said if Ronnie van Zant is not in your band then you are not lynyrd skynyrd ,very true. One of best American bands ever....Ronnie would've been beyond thrilled singing on stage with his grandchildren , RIP to a legend and rest of late members
I'm sorry but Artimus is a liar. He broke the blood oath for greed. He was talented but I don't care for him. I only trust Gene Odom on all things Skynyrd
I remember Tom Will's reporting on the crash ,
Was a sad day for jacksonville , and all who loved this great band .
Tom Wills thank you for remembering this band 40 years later .
The band was such a big part of jacksonville .
Tom , you gave honor and respect to our home town band .
Thank you.
All I know is I am from that era. I was living in Florida with my parents and was 15 years old in 1977. I honestly could have gone to their concert at Lakeland, Florida just a couple or so days before the traggic plane crash but didn’t go because I had just gone to a Peter Frampton concert about a month or so earlier and my parents were kinda afraid for me, being I was so into music and playing my guitar and singing. Guess they were afraid of me using drugs and alcohol. Anyway no band has touched so many hearts and their songs live on. Please tell me of a bad song they put out? I also got to meet his daughter Tammy because she was married to a hometown friend/drummer of mine back in WV. She was very sweet and so Generous. It gave me chills to be around her. She told stories about Ronnie when she was a little girl. All I can say he was a much better man than people ever realized except for a close few. Not to mention a great lyricist and singer. He sang from the heart and wrote from the heart. Lynyrd Skynyrd will always be a huge part of my life and hopefully for millions more. If you don’t understand the Southern man you will never get it but thank God I am. Peace and love to all of you. Please spread love and not hate. I
I was at that concert! It was great.
We attended the lakeland show as well
out of orlando before the tragedy
"He was a much better man than people realized".....You my friend are 100% right about that! Ive met him and he had a wonderful strong sense of values and could be such a kind person! Do not be quick to judge him, people. Unless you ever got the chance to meet him, then you never knew all the rest of Ronnie. And that was one great, wise and kind gentleman with integrity. They dont make them like that anymore!
Free Bird was played into the ground, I can hardly listen to it anymore. The best song was Simple Man, followed by Was I Right or Wrong and Curtis Lowe. 38 Special tribute to Skynyrd, Rebel to Rebel. Everyone should know.
And I believe Ronnie would be proud of his brother Johnny for stepping up to plate. I loved them in the early 70s and I love them today.
Johnny carried the on as a tribute to his brother and all the other members ,and don't! Forget the honkettes, they added so much soul to a wide variety of their music, I also think Ronnie's ability to write songs was just as much if not more, an form of artistic expression.
Me aswel karen they were one of the best bands ever
I bought the original Street Survivors on the day it was released back in the 70's, I still have it along with the rest of their albums.
Wow. That’s something else man 👍
Porn
@@kimrice6978
Its not rare. Buttload for sale on the net. Both covers.
My friend has that album still sealed never opened remember they recalled it and reprinted it with no flames on the front cover after the plane went down you were supposed to take your record in and trade it
I also have the original album with the flames on the cover which bought just as it was released as well. It's a special record.
I'm so glad I grew up to listing to them, times were different and people were different then, but one thing will never change, and that is there music will live forever and never be forgotten
When Tom read the note from Judy you could see him get a little emotional. Your not alone Tom. Thanks for the report.
Happy I came across this video today. Well done.
RIP Gary Rossington . I just bought the Street Survivors album when I heard the morning news getting ready for work. Knocked me for a loop.
I held on to the album, of course. I remember them changing the cover after the crash. I recently heard that they have reissued the album with the original cover. Anyway -- I appreciate this news station doing this 40th anniversary report. It is a blessing.
Judy Van Zant looks great. Hopefully she is still doing well 6 years later.
What a sad day that was, This was a tear jerker for me, How he would of loved his GrandChildren , RIP , Freebird Forever !
Yeah, you know this was an excellent broadcast and Tom had strong feelings in his heart. I personally loved the coverage and give the station a kudos!!
There aren't many bands that will carry a legacy like Lynyrd Skynyrd. They are right up there with Jimmi Hendrix. Skynyrd's music will carry on through the air waves for years to come. Their music always said something and had an unrivaled sound. My grandson came home from school a short while back. He's in the 9th grade. He couldn't wait for me to hear a CD of this new awesome band he borrowed from a friend. It was Lynyrd Skynyrd's greatest hits.
That proved to me this band's music will go on for generations. They are all gone now and I hope and pray they are all resting in Heavenly Peace, but will have Heaven ready to rock when we all get there...
I still cry every time I see the plane crash, but I had tears of joy when I saw Ronnie VanZant's granddaughter singing along with the band Sweet home Alabama!
Even though the band was established. I believe Ronnie would be proud of his replacement. Johnny did help carry on.
You are a good man Sir. I recall your news story at the site and the respect and sadness you showed at the time.
Good to see Tom again. His reporting from back in 1977 is so heartfelt.
Thank you so kindly for sharing.
This is so beautiful I loved Lynyrd Skynyrd band and steel day god bless his wife his kids and his grandbabies my prayers are with y’all thank you for sharing with us hugs and prayers
Awesome thanks so much I've been a Lynard Skynyrd fan from day 1
Awesome video and thank you for sharing ! The Freebirds keep flyin !
Saw them live in Kiel Auditorium in STL in 74...Still the best concert I've ever seen to this day and Free Bird is still the best song I've ever heard in concert.
this journalist is a class man!
I don't give a crap what anyone says, Skynard died when Ronnie died!!! TURN IT UP!!!!
Stephen Dmyterko you arent a true skynyrd fan if you dont know how to spell it
I've seen the band many times back in the 70's and they were pretty much the best live band around then. These days they're pretty much a cover band as the only living member is Gary Rossington. Yet little brother Johnny does a good job on vocals & if you weren't lucky enough to see the original band, I do recommend seeing them today. I've seen them right when they started playing again with Johnny, King, Powell & Rossington. People who hadn't seen the original wouldn't know the difference.
Freewheelin' Franklin thank you 🙏🏻
I hear Ronnie thought he was a badass. I would have loved to been able to give him an attitude adjustment.
Lynyrd Skynyrd w/ Ronnie VanZant is the BEST southern rock & blues band EVER! You grandkids need to start playing the guitar and keyboard now so you can take the torch and play Skynyrd, this is the greatest band !!! Ronnie was the best, his band the best, they earned their hall of fame, love Skynyrd, forever!
When I was 16 in glasgow scotland...I had tickets to see golden earing radar love etc...but the band before was lynyrd skynyrd...I knew about them because I had their first album...big confederate flag and Ronnie in bare feet...nothing glasgow had ever seen...now I live in vancouver bc canada and glad to share that with you...great,great band.
May they who passed away rest in peace and much love to their family and friends!!!!
The Spirit of Ronnie lives on. Fly high freebird.
Thank you Tom 🙏🙏🙏
They were simply awesome!
I lived so far out in the sticks and we where so poor,I did not know about the plane crash until well into the 80’s.
Ronnie was the heart and soul of this band. I remember waking up to hear the tragic news on the radio.
R.I.P Brother Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, Dean. We Love You
It would be nice if more people did coverage on Ronnie's first marriage and child. To include her in things.
No. She was about to be cut off. She's only his widow because he didn't get a chance to present the divorce papers.
@@Rednick82 Perhaps but people are still interested in her and the child.
Agreed
We’re is all the information. Is there a in-depth book ? Personal?
Tammy Michelle Van Zant, not sure what her last name is now, has a song and video here on TH-cam. I don't know if her mother is still living.
What a chest punch the news was. I was and still a big fan.
I am half way thru watching this, I was so excited to see some of Ronnie and Judy's grandchildren, & hoping and praying they all end up being in the next Lynyrd Skynyrd band, and remember, any Skynyrd is better than no Skynyrd southern rock, I bet those kids are born singers.
The band of my high school years! We would party all night to Skynard.
Ronnie was a handsome fella!
I remember you Tom when you were much younger, LOL and so was I. I graduated Terry Parker HS in 1977 and like all LS fans was shocked about the crash. I saw them Once in the "Gator Bowl" either right before or just a time after the crash. They will always be Jacksonville's Band :-)
I willed a huge Lynyrd Skynyrd fan back in the day before the plane crash. To me it was never the same after losing Ronnie. I saw them live in concert at least five times. They will forever be missed by me. Prayers for the families !
So many great songs..not just freebird.
Amazing band and seeing them in concert is a true Blessing 🇺🇸👍🏻
Ronnie is My Favorite Artist There Ever Was! He Died 5 Years Before My Time Though! Love To See The Family And Friends.
I know a guy that is realated to Ronnie a Johnny van zant he has a farm right down the road from me and one of his family members went to our hunting lease yesterday and we shot some guns that he bought but they are good people that everyone should meet
If Freebird sounds a lot different every night and from over the years, it would be because the replacement players don't play much like the original band members.
most love band aver we will allways love you brother and sisters thank you for the years
I saw them in Philly 2 months before the crash....I was 20 years old.....
Saw Skynyrd twice in the 70’s before the crash...great shows!
Bob C. Just wondering what was it like? Did you even realize at the time that you were witnessing greatness? I went with my mother to see Elvis when I was really young. Slept most of the way through the show. How I regret that now.
Saw them once in Philadelphia
You just KNEW you were in the presence of an incredible band.
I did as well. First Show 'Charlie Daniels' opened, second, 'Outlaws.'
I saw them along with the allman brothers in atlanta 1974...RIP..their music will live on..
I consider myself blessed to have seen them once. No show since has ever topped it.
Gone but never forgotten 💔 😢 ❤ 😪 😔 😞 💔 😢 ❤ 😪 🙏🙏🙏🙏bless the surviving band members !!!
That's RIGHT...
FREE BIRD !!! Is the BEST
song EVER !!! I was 17 when this HAPPENED. I remembered this SAD, SAD, SAD!!! TIME, I am a 60 year old GRANDMA and I ROCK so MANY times with EVERY lyric of every song. My husband and I bought the Double Gold and Platinum album on our Honeymoon ! We will be married 40 years ! Ronnie is a FREE BIRD ✌🌈
SING ON FREEBIRDS,🕊 MY HOMETOWN JACKSONVILLE BOYS, YOU'VE DONE US PROUD.🤗🤗😍😚 🙏 RIP TO RONNIE AND ALL LOST. WE STILL LOVE YOU ALL. 🎼🎵🎶🎸🎤
Thank you for this .
Aint it the truth! They made beautiful music!
Ronnie would be proud!
i bought the street survivors album when it first came out. I remember hearing on the radio that they had the crash and Ronnie was dead. Sad day.
Very well done....I cried.
Jeffrey Goodin Stumbled upon 5his Jus lookin.....One Of the Main Bands Of My Musical Imprints......
So did I but I usually try to hide it in case someone walks in but for something like this everyone who knows what these people meant understand why we cry over stuff like this
Jeffrey Goodin this brought tears to my eyes. grew up with this stuff. I was 14 yrs old and my oldest brother took me to see them and many other greats in Chicago at Soldiers Field in the summer of '77
Jeffrey Goodin Me too
They were such a lame band. They proved you need no talent to play southern rock.
The best band ever rip Ronnie vanzant
Greatest rock band of all time. Which makes sense since Ronnie was the greatest songwriter of all time
You shore got that right
HELLO........FROM GARRY HIXON .......TO ALL......LOV YA
Great job 👍
Great interview lynyrd skynyrd will live on forever fly high free bird
Leon Wilkeson was the bassist he was also in the plane crash.
He didn't die in the plane crash though. He died later on.
Great bassist with some cool hats.
I really like the Black with the white light on The Lynyrd Skynyrd band. I can't wait to see em And hear em all, in Heaven!!!
Thank God for Ronnie van zant fly high free bird.
I see GARY and just cry!
When Ronnie die the group was done may all r.i.p. their music will live forever
The grandson looks like Ronnie in s school picture strong genes
Yes, thank Lacy! What an incredible man he was. He taught his children well. They had respect, manners, loyalty and values. If only other young people where brought up the way the Van Zant children were, i do think this world would be a better place for that!
I bet Ronnie's grandson has a fist like a boxer, like Ronnie , don't mess with him
Seems too much entitled brattyness around, slack parents don't discipline or instill basic manners; we all suffer! *Think Ronnie was getting wiser about fighting, in a '76 interview he said 'Now, instead of people punching each other out, we just levy a fine. Hitting him does no good. Breaking up a hotel room doesn’t change anything. The best way to hit a man is in his pocket' He was maturing, evolving; heartbreaking he didn't get longer on that path - 'I’m 27 now & I’ve got a baby girl & I plan to stick around & watch her grow up. I also plan to collect for the last 10 years of self abuse' 😢 RIP, RIG x
@@ljbull33 🙄
'Sweet Home Alabama" is only one great song , I can listen to every Skynyrd album and love them all. Steve Gaines was one of the best guitarists and especially on slide. Their music will always be with me . I miss Jo Jo too, a very sweet woman.
As i understand it, they didn't "run out of fuel." Rather, the engines quit. It was a crap plane, that nobody wanted.
A witness saw the plane dump the fuel before they crashed. That's the ONLY reason there were any survivors, because there wasn't a fire.
Everyone was trapped inside the mangled plane. They needed help getting out.
Wow Ronnie granddaughter looks like him
I was looking through the comments to see if anyone else thought so
I hope Ronnie VanZant's grandchildren can sing like Ronnie, and any Skynyrd is better then no Skynyrd I love the band, it is the BEST!
poor kid
She sure does,big time! Glad to see her get on stage. It came full circle! Ronnie would be so happy!
@@floydfletcher4313 troll
I see the original Skynyrd band in concert back in 1976 it's hard to believe that plane crash happened almost a year after when I saw the original band members Ronnie Allan Billy Steve Leon artimus and Gary
Naysayers say what you will. It's better to see his brother sing the songs than no one at all.
The grandkids favor their Grandpa, heavily! I'm sure Ronnie would be proud as heck over that fact more than even the music.
They don’t look like him at all. You want them to, so you think they do.🙄They have three other grandparents, a father etc. and of course you think they look like the famous relative. Here’s another eye roll for you.🙄
@@blueberrycobbler if that's your opinion - it's YOUR opinion. It's America, and you're entitled to your blindness. LoL
Now that rossington has passed, there must be some awesome concerts going on in heaven!!!!
I’m 13 and I’ve seen skynyrd 6 times, there will never be a band with that much energy.
Patrick .Stryker not even close to the real thing
What a well produced news piece worthy of the great Lynyrd Skynyrd.
It's still cool to see 101,000 people singing Sweet Home Alabama at Bryant-Denny stadium during Alabama football games!
Awesome!
Damn wish Ronnie was still around today
I remember when it happened back in 77 very sad feeling.
BEST BAND ,,,,,,,,,, still here in 2020
I still have that album with that original cover !
Thank you 💘
Cant wait for the movie to come out
Oct 15 1977 I was at the Hollywood Sportatorium right up front almost being crushed. Great show of course. Anyone from Miramar High school care to comment.
For some odd reason, Rossington and Collins convinced this woman that she had total say on whether the band could continue or not. And under which name, and how many tribute shows they could perform. Huge mistake.
There was a gentleman's agreement after the crash never to use the name, wasn't there?
Yeah they change that cover it’s amazing that somebody still has a copy of the cover that was the original
Ronnie was such a great songwriter. Freebird is great but Simple Man will always be one of my favorites.
There music will go on for ever
Gone but not forgotten.
Great piece. Sad no mention of Leon Wilkeson or Billy Powell though...
Isn't that sad. Ronnie's other daughter should have been mentioned as well
The kids look great and are well manored . Im sure the free birds are pleased Ronnie their ya are !
Would love to hear what some of Mrs. Van Zant’s go to recipes were.