Few songs in rock history have grown from a simple ballad into an epic quite like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird.” Written by guitarist Allen Collins and singer Ronnie Van Zant, the song reportedly began when Collins brought the band a slow series of guitar chords. Van Zant initially felt the progression contained too many changes […]
Before Lynyrd Skynyrd launched into the unforgettable guitar harmonies of “Sweet Home Alabama” or “Free Bird,” they often opened concerts with a song that was equal parts introduction, mission statement, and thank-you note. “Workin’ for MCA,” the opening track on the band’s 1974 album Second Helping, wasn’t just another Southern rock anthem—it celebrated the band’s […]
‘Sweet Home Alabama’ is one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most iconic songs, released in June 1974 on their second studio album, Second Helping. Written by band members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Ed King, the song quickly became a Southern rock anthem, celebrated for its swaggering guitar riff and unapologetic regional pride. The song was […]
After years of trying to make it big in the music industry, Don Barnes, Ken Lyons and Donnie Van Zant decided to give their dream of being rock stars “one last shot,” attempting to for the “ultimate band.” Van Zant was even about to take a higher-paying job with the railroad company he worked for, […]