Alivia And I React To Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird For The First Time!!! 

One of the unexpected joys I've found in my life is watching people discover Free Bird for the first time. It's beautiful and sublime.

Silas' reaction is priceless, just like every teenager hearing this for the first time in 1973. 🤣

Love watching young people react to this song. Still blowing minds 50 years on.

3 lead guitars. 1 bass. 1 drummer. 1 piano player, & a singer.🕊 the bass player is freaking killing it.

This song is fifty years old, and is so iconic that people STILL yell out "FREEBIRD" at rock concerts---and even non-rock concerts---when there's a pause between songs. By the way, Lynyrd Skynyrd epitomized Southern Rock more than any other group.

Nothing stands out? Yeah. Until the kickass 8 minute solo when Allen Collins redefines what an encore performance should look an sound like. This is pure greatness.

Love the difference in reactions: Alivia is thoughtfully weighing and considering each lyric. Silas is over there acting like it's speaking to his soul! 😎

They were considered one of the greatest live bands of the 70’s before the unfortunate plane crash. The live version is even longer and even better. Great reaction

You really need to do the live version. much more of the three guitar attack. Glad you were both able to experience this classic Skynyrd tune. Believe me, the live version at Oakland has a lot more guitar pyrotechnics. Ronnie Vanzant on lead vocals and the amazing Gary Rossington on slide guitar. This song still sends chills up my 67 yr old spine all these years later.

"Call Me the Breeze" is another Skynyrd gem that has killer guitar and piano solos.

It's always a joy to watch another generation have their faces melted by this iconic song!

To think they wrote and played THIS in their early 20s. Such an immensely talented band - along with the Allman Brothers, CCR, and the Eagles, one of the greatest groups in American rock history.

There are 3 reasons the live version is better. 1- The studio version was cut short to fit the album. Notice the odd fade out at the end. 2- On the live version there is a feedback loop driving them. The more the crowd got into it the more they got into it. 3- between the studio version and the live versions they added Billy Powell, their great pianist. He adds a whole other level to the song.

Silas is "jamming out" to more than just some "drum beats and a guitar" as his girlfriend said. He's really feeling the music and he's not afraid to show it. Being open to experiencing some amazing classic rock for the first time is very cool for a teenager these days. That's what makes his channel so fun to watch. Always stay true to yourself, Silas!

I love when the transition hits people love it and after about a minute expect it to be winding down.....and then it just starts melting their brain. LOL....AMAZING ARTISTRY!!! Glad you guys experienced it and loved it!

I listened to this song hundreds of times and it never gets old. Dangerous song to listen to when driving. You get too hyped during the solo and suddenly you’re doing 30 over the speed limit

"Call Me The Breeze" by Lynyrd Skynyrd is a must listen to...

Never thought I'd get to witness people hearing Freebird for the first time. Really cool.

When the solo kicks in that is the greatest reaction i've ever seen from Silas, it literally blew him out his chair.

I heard this song for so many fallen friends played at funerals in the 70's and 80's. So moving then and still now

Check out the live version from Oakland CA from 1977. I saw them in Philly that same year at JFK stadium. I was 16 and it was incredible!

I've heard this song since the album come out I just find it crazy people are hearing it for the 1st time. This is hands down the greatest rock and roll song of all time

The talent level in this remarkable band was not matched by many. Live, they were absolutely phenomenal. All those hours of practice in the Hell-house sure paid off.

This whole album is outstanding.

Free bird released 1973 Fast forward 2023 ❤ Happy 50th anniversary

OHHHHH...you gotta do the live at Oakland version. Way more energy and the visuals are pretty cool too.

1977 farm aid live in Oakland stadium. It's totally fire 🔥 😊 guitars will make you stand. The piano is wild as well 😊

Three guitars, a wild man on one bass, one piano, and a madman drummer, all working in perfect harmony. One of the greatest songs ever and if you watch the live performances, you will be amazed at just how easy they make it look. RIP to the band members who left us far too soon. This is probably the best quality live performance: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QxIWDmmqZzY.html

7:23: Knew that was going to happen. That's a "get out of your chair" moment if there ever was one.

Many friends of ours in Alabama where I live had this played at their funerals! The guy on the far right of the album cover is the singer!

Congratulations kids….You just got to experience one of the great rock 'n' roll anthems ever recorded. Lynyrd Skynyrd is the quintessential southern rock band and one of the greatest American rock bands ever. Based out of Florida, they are a quintessential three-headed monster with overlapping lead guitarists creating a sound that cannot be duplicated. Search around on RU-vid and you will find a live version of it in the Oakland Alameda Coliseum circa 76 - 77….I was there. I was also at a show in my early 20s where I heard a 24 minute version of the song believe it or not. Go down this rabbit hole and learn about the history of the band and the tragedies that cut its life short. Their entire catalog is spectacular and worthy of your investigation.

This studio version is good but the Oakland 1977 live performance is truly, magnificently breath-taking. Im in my 60s now and not in great health - but when I hear the Oakland live version, I get up and dance all round the house, crying - as it feels simultaneously full of sadness and incredible joy.

Do the live version from Oakland

First of all, I'm glad to see Alivia back. The singer is the blond Guy 3rd from the left. His name is Ronnie Van Zant. If you like this, check out Green Grass And High Tides by The Outlaws. Like this, it starts out mellow then the 2nd half will have you out of your chair. The live version of this song is fire. 3 members of the band (Ronnie and guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister Cassie Gaines, a backup singer) were killed in a plane crash in July, 1977. That ended the band until they reunited about 10 years later with Ronnie's younger brother Johnnie Van Zant taking over on lead vocals.

I'm glad i got to see them a couple of times in my life. First time in the early 90s. My parents are actually superfans that seen them countless times, and met the band. They always play Freebird last, and this is still the most mind-blowing song I've ever seen performed live...ever !

I remember the first time I heard freebird. I was in a bookshop and was about to leave when the solo kicked in. Well I changed my mind on that!

This is considered one of if NOT the greatest rock song ever by many people hope you dont pause this amazing guitar solo😂😂

They named the band after a tough teacher they had named Leonard Skinner, so it’s spelled weird but pronounced the same.

The best thing about this song is you can listen to it at anytime and feel what you feel. I love your reaction because it can be a chill song or a head banger. What can I say, I’m in my 50’s and it’s fun to see a younger generation enjoying the same music. If you haven’t done the Eagles you should.

Seeing them in concert was absolutely one of the best memories from my teenage years. The air was thick with illegal smoke and everyone was feeling this same vibe! Amazing band.

Delve into the story of this band. You’ll be hooked. Check out all the live versions. Oakland’77, Knebworth’76 and Old Grey Whistle Test ‘75. Lynyrd Skynyrd was a remarkable live band.

I knew of the studio version for about a year after it came out but my first time hearing the live version (off Gold & Platinum album, "playing pretty for Atlanta") was on an overnight bus on a Senior trip in 1978. We must have jammed to LS for 2 hours! Still a fresh memory 45 years later. As noted, the Oakland live version video is a must watch. EDIT: Sadly just a few months after the Oakland concert, a play crash killed the lead singer and a few other members. The survivors formed the Rossington Collins band and later brought back Lynard Skynard for performances but the original group was THE group.

The reaction on her face when the guitar gets cranked up is priceless!

You need to see the live version of this in Oakland stadium in 1977. Get to see how your grandparents knew how to have a great time rocking to this music!

YES! you must watch this live!

The guy with the cap and lightening bolt jacket on is the bass player, Leon Wilkeson-he doesn't get enough shine, IMO, but watch the Oakland Coliseum 1977 live version, dude is rocking! The guitar outro always makes me think of birds soaring amongst the mountains, utterly free.

Fun to watch them commenting on how good the song ~4min in, not yet knowing it’s just the intro & they’re about to light it off. I was the same 1st time.

"Saturday Night Special" is a favorite of mine, since I heard it in the original "The Longest Yard" movie. These guys have many good songs worth checking out. Thanks Silas!

Being a Florida boy from when Lynyrd Skynyrd first came out, I was y’all’s age when this album came out. Everyone focuses on the boys up front on guitars but listen to the bad ass bass. So glad younger people are listening to one of many great southern rock bands.😎

Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of the greatest rock bands ever and fortunately for us, they had several albums and tons of incredible material all over the map before the tragic plane crash in 1977 that ended it all. Freebird, along with Stairway to Heaven, and arguably Bohemian Rhapsody, are generally considered to be the most iconic rock songs of all time. To me, they are the holy triumvirate. It was such a delight to see the looks on y'all's faces as this what is essentially a symphony unfolds. I can still remember the first time I ever heard this in 6th grade and my jaw was completely on the floor. Of course I ran right out and got the album and then I proceeded to buy every single of their albums and there is not a bad song on any album. So much fire all the way around. Silas, when you did Simple Man, I believe I commented at the time that I was astonished that you weren't already familiar with Lynyrd Skynyrd and I said I was sure that you would love it because it is right up your alley. All of these guys were absolutely killer musicians and they worked so tightly together and they were good friends also. There are a couple really good quality videos of live performances of Freebird which other people have mentioned, and keep in mind this is their very first album, the so-called Pronounced album and this song along with others was a huge hit from it. The live footage of this that is available on RU-vid is from a number of years later in the late 70s right before the plane crash. They were still young, but they were much younger even here, and of course they matured as a band because they toured heavily and they played really long shows, just like Led Zeppelin did, and talk about stamina and endurance - they would just go off over and over and over again. And they also have absolutely beautiful ballads and haunting poignant songs. They also have several songs that were social statements about everything from anti-war regarding Vietnam, the danger of cheap handguns, the destructive nature of being hardcore addicted to alcohol or drugs, and a warning to people that if they don't know what's going on in the ghetto, they better open their eyes, and all kinds of things. And SO MANY BANGERS! For a slow, thoughtful, and powerful but short song with tons of slide guitar and dobro, check out The Ballad Of Curtis Loew. And PLEASE consider always listening to the studio cuts first before checking out the live version, just like you did here. You can really hear the genius of the jigsaw puzzle nature of their incredible arrangements and just the fidelity of them going off because they are so good, you want to hear every little nuance in the studio, which is the way we heard it on the radio and on the record albums we bought and the way they intended the audience to receive it. Finally, Olivia, I am classically trained and also a composer and yes I can actually totally picture this on sheet music in my head, and it truly is a masterpiece. There is so much harmonic and rhythmic counterpoint and complementary structure and motion going on, which creates so much tension and then release. Certain parts of this rock anthem are truly not that different from a Bach fugue!

I love it when younger people discover Rock and Roll! 65 and still listen to this song at least once a day!

From Wikipedia - "The cover photograph was taken on Main Street in Jonesboro, Georgia... The photo was the last in a long day of shooting for the album cover... in the background is a lightning strike in the sky. It is not fabricated and the band did not know it was there until after they saw the released album cover."

Yet another great reaction from you all! You HAVE to check out their song "Gimme Three Steps". A classic for sure. The music is wonderful, but be sure to listen to the lyrics. Funny as hell. Thanks, my friend....

Check out the version performed at Oakland 1977 for the ultimate Freebird experience. Possibly the greatest live performance of all time by anyone. RIP Gary Rossington who only died this week. Reunited with his band mates.

You must watch the live performance at the Oakland, CA outdoor stadium with 50,000 people all going crazy. A must see!

Lynyrd Skynyrd is considered by many to be the greates southern rock band, and are known to have shaped and influence many, many others, this band will forever be haunted, and revered...Rock ON!

A top 10 of the decade and a SERIOUS contender for top 5. Congrats for discovering it. And when a fantastic song like this comes up, you gotta drag Alivia up outta HER chair!

Back in the day, at any garage band gig, people would yell out "play Free Bird", or just "Free Bird!", just because it's so an epic instrumentally and hard to play, or cover.

y'all finally get it!! Live 1977

You see this kid when Allen Collins started playing the guitar? He was a 22 year old kid playing that! F'ing awesome brilliant musician like MOST in the 70's.

This song gets young people every time. They’re sucked into the slow melody at the beginning, then BAM! They’re hit in the face with the type of music we old timers grew up with that no longer exists. Pure musical talent that no auto tune can come close to. Those bands from the 70’s have no equal. End of discussion.

This is one of those songs where the live version (off “One More From The Road”) is so much better than the original studio cut (like “25 or 6 to 4” at Tanglewood).

been listening to this since day one in 1974.. i see all the reaction's to it..and still have not heard one person catch the door slam at the begining of the solo.. it's such an important part of the song.. it mean's it's final and done.. I'M FREE..

Definitely educate yourself with their story. Do the live version that’s been recommended. Another recommendation is That Smell. ❤

Great reaction, Silas and Alivia, to one of the best rock songs ever recorded. As others have stated, you MUST see the live performance from Oakland in '77... it will blow your mind.

This is the first video I’ve seen of y’all and between his goofy energy and her stank face of approval I farmed a tonnnn of serotonin. That was so excellent.

First time watching you guys. GREAT reaction. This is what you get when you have three world class guitarists in one band. I'm an older dude but love watching the younger kids listening early in the song reaction knowing what's coming. You did not disappoint. Keep up the great reactions and good luck.

You should listen to their song called that smell off of the street survivors album. The guitar work is insane. It starts out fast and finishes fast

Cheers, friends ! You both will remember having this experience together. Enjoy the journey! ❤️

The dude she described with the lightening bolt and corduroys and hoped he was the “guitar player” was Leon Wilkinson, the bass guitar player.

I remember the first time I heard this song. I was 15, getting stoned on some little back road on the Texas Gulf Coast and I was never the same. That was 38 years ago, and it never gets old. Welcome to the rabbit hole. ✌🏻❤️from Texas

There are many live versions on line, check them out. 3 lead guitar players who are totally underrated.

I love to see young people discover the music of my generation. If you love guitar solos, may I recommend srv? Any of his songs will be a great introduction, I would recommend voodoo chile or Texas flood for a start. His catalog is deep and glorious. PS, if possible, always watch the live performances.

RIP Gary Rossington 1951-2023 the last founding members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Fly high FREEBIRD brother🕊

I was a big Skynyrd fan and remember how excited I was when 'Street Survivors' dropped in the autumn of 1977. I especially loved 'That Smell' and 'What's Your Name' after my first few listens. I was a freshman at Boulder High School and had no class first period, then art second period (not a goof-off class; I was really into doing art). Our hippy-dippy stoner teacher used to let us listen to the radio while we worked and I remember the silence that fell over the studio when the KAZY DJ solemnly announced the deaths of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, several crew and the pilots of their small chartered airplane when it went down in rural Mississippi. The first pressings of 'Survivors, the one I had, showed the band members standing in flames. Every pressing after that eliminated the flames. Haunting moment for young, impressionable me. I love Silas' rocking out; that was me, too!

An absolute FACE MELTER at the end. The song feels exactly like a breakup. You try to let 'em down easy, and it breaks both hearts in the process, but the road and further adventure call, and holy crap can life be a wild ride. ^__^

Green Grass and High Tides by the Outlaws should be next. Or Dreams (the Molly Hatchet version).

I saw them in concert years ago at the Peoria Illinois civic center. It was a ZZ Top Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. Best concert I’ve been to.

In 2018, when my son was 9, I took him to see them. They're great live. Singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer & Steve's sister Cassie Gaines, their road mgr, the pilot & co-pilot tragically died in a plane crash in 1977. Ronnie's younger brother Johnny Van Zant has been the singer and he does a fantastic job. Their brother Donnie Van Zant has sang with 38 Special.

Looking forward to you doing Gimme Three Steps... its by far my favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song for the funny story telling.

If asked, I would always recommend an original studio version as a first time listen of any tune except this one. Find it live and see how they performed. They were great. MANY other great songs from these guys await you and all who dare.

always loved the premise of the song of wanting to be a free soul, a free bird, and wanting spread his wings and explore. The beginning is so sad and somber feeling. But as the song progresses and he decides he's really going to do it, he leaves and head into the world wide open and the music matches that exhilaration of "flying" for the first time.. finally a free bird and seeing the world

ICONIC ending generally considered one of Top 5 guitar solos EVER......If 3 guitars at same time can be called a "solo". 😀

Alivia was saying "I like it nothing really stands out" and I was smiling and thinking "just wait for it." Silas jumped out of his chair at least three times so you know its good. The live version everyone else mentions is great. Except for the bird tweeting sounds which are kinda stupid imo, but the jam is awesome. Lynyrd Skynyrd is the very definition of Southern rock, and one of the greatest rock bands of all time in any genre.

Do the live version, it’s incredible!

Yall vibe in such a different way and I love it!!!

Dude thank you you have helped me I was blessed to be born less than 20 miles from Jacksonville, your reactions are priceless , thank you for loving great music

As a crusty old Skynyrd fan, I really enjoy seeing people's reactions to a Freebird first listen...waiting for the solo to hit 🙂 The singer is third from left, guitar solo by lanky dude second from right. The lighting bolt is real...a freak thing. It was the last shot of that shoot.

That’s a so-so song for me until the speed kicks into gear…. Which, if we are being honest, was a turning point for both of you as well. 💥

I can never hear the song for the first time again but watching this I can get that feeling again,thank you so much!

This song, and Skynyrd generally, kicked off the great Southern Rock craze of the late 70s. Bands like The Outlaws, Molly Hatchet, The Charlie Daniels Band, the Allman Brothers, and lots more all had hits during that time. It was also the era of the ten minute guitar solo.

Yay, normal service has been resumed with a classic rock track! Lynyrd Skynyrd is a brilliant band. Their next most famous song is "Sweet Home Alabama", but my favourite is the cover of JJ Cale's, "Call Me The Breeze". It has great interplay between the guitarists and the amazing Billy Powell on piano.

The magic of Lynyrd Skynyrd's three guitar army never gets old! In the late 70's and early 80's every cover band worth their salt played Freebird as their finale. Of course, none played it as well as 'Skynyrd, but we loved it anyway.

This was their debut album, if you can believe that. The long guitar at the end was primarily done by the tallest dude in the back - second from the right. He was not alone - 3 guitars and a bass jammed on that, at least they did in Oakland in 1977. The dude doing the slide guitar during the singing was the last original member and died recently.The singer has his back to the bricks - the guy next to him has his hand up on the bricks, above the singer’s head. He died in the plane crash in 1977. GREAT, great band. Cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hear this released as a teen in the early 70’s. It was friggin’ magic.

The greatest southern rock song of all time, by the greatest southern rock band EVER! Thanks for your reaction.

I love when Alivia gets excited at 9:06...that's Rock

This is the Stairway to Heaven of Southern Rock.

The guitar rift makes you appreciate the calm slow part and how it just builds builds

I love Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the movie Forest Gump this song is played in a delicate scene, but it fits perfectly. 'Sweet Home Alabama' is also featured on the soundtrack, of course since it's set in Alabama. That's why this movie is perfect.

That cover photo was taken on Main Street in Jonesboro, GA...my hometown. Interesting bit of trivia: Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed picked up their 400 cases of Coors on the same street (about 100 feet away) in the movie, Smokey and the Bandit.