Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed in 1964, when Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant, and Gary Rossington decided to start a band while still in high school. In 1973, the band signed a deal with MCA recording label and went on tour with the Who.

Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Whiskey bottles and a brand new car, oak tree you're in my way. There is too much coke and too much smoke.” Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band of red neck hillbillies from Jacksonville, Florida, that have given the world something to groove to for more than four decades.

It is pronounced lyn-nerd skin-nerd

Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed in 1964, when Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant, and Gary Rossington decided to start a band while still in high school. In 1973, the band signed a deal with MCA recording label and went on tour with the Who. They also released their debut album, with singles like Simple Man and Freebird. Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second album titled, Second Helping, with the timeless classic, “Sweet Home Alabama.” The band continued to tour extensively and some of the band members left the group. Later that year, the released their fourth album, One More From The Road, which was recording of the band during live performances. Their next album, Street Survivor, was released in 1977 and sold more than 500,000 copies.

Shortly after the release of the album, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, and Ronnie Van Zant all died in a plane crash on October 20, 1977. After the plane crash, the other surviving members took a hiatus and in 1987, they came back together to reunite Lynyrd Skynyrd. From 1991 to 2009, the band as released eight additional albums: Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 (1991), The Last Rebel (1993), Endangered Species (1994), Twenty (1997), Edge of Forever (1999), Christmas Time Again (2000), and Vicious Cycle (2003). Lynyrd Skynyrd released their last album in 2009, titled God & Guns.

Souther Boys

Gary Rossington is the only original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was born on December 4, 1951 in Jacksonville, Florida. Rossington also started The Rossington-Collins Band with his long time friend and band mate, Allen Collins.

Rickey Medlocke was born on February 17, 1950 as is the founder of the Blackfoot, a  rock band he started when he was in high school. In 1970, he played the drums and joined Lynyrd Skynyrd for a short while, but soon returned to his original band.

Johnny Van Zant is the little brother of the late Ronnie Van Zant. He was born on February 27, 1959, and become a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd after the death of his brother and has continues to perform with the band. In 1990, Johnny released a solo album, Brickyard Road.

Mark Matejka was born in Houston, Texas. He started his music career playing in country music bands: Sons of the Desert, Hot Apple Pie, and Charlie Daniels Band. He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006 and as been with the band ever since.

Robert Kearns became a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2009. From 1989 to 1997, he was a member of City of Love.

Michael Cartellone was born in Solon, Ohio in 1962, he is a painter and has been with the band since 1999. He also played the drums for Tommy Shaw, Styx, Damn Yankees, and Accept.

Peter Pisarczyk was born in Burlington, Vermont on May 30, 1965. In 1992, he played the keyboard for George Clinton, the P-Funk, and the 420 Funk Mob. He joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2009.

Did You Know...

… Two widows of former Lynyrd Skynyrd members sued the band in 1987, for violating an agreement not to use the band's name after the plane crash of 1977.

… Leon Wilkeson, who played the bass in the band since 1972, died from chronic liver disease and emphysema in a hotel room on July 27, 2001.

… Due to a car accident Allen Collins had in 1986, he has been paralyzed and must perform in a wheelchair.

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