Ronnie Van Zant, Ed King, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Bob Burns, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell performing Sweet Home Alabama May 12, 1974 in Hamburg Germany shortly after release of single in USA.
Ah and there it is....... No positive comment is ever complete without someone stopping by to leave some kinda negativity. Ed never claimed to be a singer but at least he tried to help out with Leon and do backup vocals until they got the girls and the whole band was drunker than shit probably every time they hit the stage so what does Ed being stoned have to do with anything? They were ALL stoned I'm sure and everyone else in the band were alcoholics !
jsmyers24151 I don't know - it's all relative. Ed was/is a great songwriter and player. Ronnie was the "face" & (more or less) the persona of the band, due to the lyrical content. So, as far as Ronnie is concerned, him behaving himself (which he DID do before the last tour) was just the unique makeup of the band and part of the attraction to them by the fans - it's "FREE" in the 'Freebird' etc.. Ronnie was his own man, so to speak. Even Al Kooper will tell you that. I will say that the second "evolution" of Lynyrd Skynyrd after Ed King left was just as great - a little different, but still great. Steve Gaines breathed new life into that band - that was why Ronnie hired him, not just because Cassie recommended him bc he was her brother. I'm sure Ronnie was never the type to just say "yes" to such things based one someone's recommendation - he had to "know" it for himself. Anyways,....just my $.002
Damn stright I seen them in Birmingham Alabama around five months before the crash I'm very glad I drove a hundred and eighty miles that day, Best concert I have ever been to and I have been to a bunch...they sound amazing live
I am not white, Not from the South, but this song some how talks to me. Great Song, I think this is a song for all true Americans. A good song stands the test of time. I play it often today.
I'm no American brother but this was one hell of a band, we don't have this anymore,we still have some amazing musicians but the early 60s to end of 70s were for me or maybe 18 - 19 century with those gods then ❤️🔥🇲🇰
Ed King is one of the best guitarist ever. If you don't believe me, first try to copy what he does here. It is possible, after breaking a finger or two. Then try to write the song and come up with the licks and the solo. A brilliant musician. I don't thing he gets credits for his skill as a guitarist and a songwriter. But, when he dies, he will cover the whole front page on every guitar magazine in the world. Wanna bet?
Ed was part of Strawberry Alarm Clock and wrote the bridge & solo for Incense & Peppermints, but never got song writing credit and has never made a dime from the copyright to this day. Thankfully he hit it big with Sweet Home.
Wrap your head around the four top notch guitarists Skynyrd had. Four all equally incredible in their own style. Can’t think of any other band in rock history that could touch that.
This was three here Allen Collins Gary rossington and Ed King who wrote The Rift for Sweet home Alabama the solo. When Ed left Steve Gaines joined who was incredible but they always had three lead guitarist not four as you say, 3 was plenty.
These older clips with Ed are priceless gem's, he added something very special to this band and they were never the the same without him. Ed said there was never an ego problem between he Gary and Allen, they all wanted what was best for the music and they all shined when it was time. He said if Gary hadn't been playing the parts he was playing that day when he got to practice this song wouldn't have happened. Gary's chords and the way he was playing them inspired Ed to start bouncing off them with his signature riff to one of thee greatest southern rock songs in history. Ed King, Gary Rossington, and Allen Collins were an inspiration to each other, they fed off each other and brought out the best of each other, they complimented each other, they each had their own voice and power, the 3 of them were a recipe for magic together and together they gave us some of the finest southern rock music there ever was or will be again!!
The heavy dude is Ed King, the original picker of this song, took me a while to figure out he was the writer, no other band member can play this song right except Ed...Go Ed !
Not all together true. Gary came up with the first three cords, then Ed arranged the rest. But, Ronnie, Ed and Gary wrote the lyrics jointly. By the way: Ed was born in Glendale, California; not sweet home Alabama, so it stands to reason he got a little help from a couple southern boys.
Yes Scott, your correct "Not altogether true", but the strong picking pattern and the lead guitars that were Eds is what really characterized the feel of the song (IMO).. It’s sort of a back beat, mixed with triplets. None of the other players could do this. Must have been that "LA technique" he learned from GIT :)
Yes, and it's too bad he decided to leave. For years, I thought he was rhythm only; come to find out he's one of the best lead guitarists in history. He contributed sooo much for LS. I just wish he'd have formed is own group, but he couldn't stand the music business, understandably.
Allen Collins was one tall dude. God bless one of the best southern rocks bands ever that brought so much love and joy to everyone. RIP to all those who served in this mighty awesome band.
Hugh Guidi yes you are correct on your points except as it really happened was Gary was playing a riff that till this day still plays during sweet home that Ed heard and Ed added that well know intro but without Gary's inspiration the sound may never have been written. Look I love skynyrd. They are my favorite band hands down. Each guy had there purpose that made them great. Love you guys
I just loved once again crossing from GA today into "SWEET HOME ALABAMA " on I -20! Many,many thanks owed to Mr Ronnie VanZant and Lynyrd Skynyrd for that!!!!❤
I Love watching MR. Allen Collins....His life wound up so Brutal just unforgiving his smile could light up a room Rest in Peace Allen....an the rest of The Band...now you got Gary up there to play those ripping solo's...Allen was the Real deal...
@@Kurtis11266 He was actually saying slow down because ed drug the solo out longer than it actually was. Dipshit. That's Coming from a guitar player and singer. Not some Moron on RU-vid. That solo is Different and Longer in this Video. Genius
@@Dr.Music77 I just listened to your alabama shorts and you can't even play it right let alone sing it right, you got no idea what you're talking about. He was saying slow down because he went over tempo, don't be so egotistical.
@@Kurtis11266 Me egotistical? Haha your the one that just Had To "Correct" me on Something? Even though you're wrong. So you take personal shots 😂 Besides, I wasnt even the One playing Guitar on that one. So Nice try Jackass. Im sure you're a professional Musician And Voice coach too right?
Loved this band for 40 years now and they never, ever get old. Wow, what talent. I wish I appreciated them then as I do now. Not sure what good it would have done, but I really miss that talent.
“I wish I appreciated them then as I do now”. I’ve been saying the same thing the last few years.. My friends and are were too busy going to Allman Bros. Concerts. We missed out on Skynyrd's Asbury Park, NJ Convention Hall appearance July 13th 1977. What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and see that show live.
Yeah man well that's been Lynyrd Skynyrd now another eight years so that's your 48 years on mine I hope you're out there that you can respond to this and still have the same name party ability to see it it does nothing but get better yeah? Hit me back man. PLAY FREEBIRD MAN
we were young and easily distracted . Time goes by and the good stuff seems to hold up and it's highlighted by the perspective only time can bring . I loved them as a kid but I never knew how good they really were till I began to struggle with the guitar and song writing .I want to go back and do it all over but I cant go back I know . Eddie Mahoney
I adored Ed King. Saw a Strawberry Alarm Clock video yesterday...very cool. The talent on this stage is phenomenal. Absolutely heartbreaking that they are all gone now.
It amazes me how they had so many people on guitars and made it sound so fantastic. Talk about teamwork to a goal. What a unique bunch of people to pull this off. I wish I had found the importance of their music earlier in life. I listened to it.....just didn't feel it until recently.
Best live version I have found on the internet. Ed King was still in the band, and they do not play it too fast as in some other versions I have seen. That driving, steady tempo is one of the things that make this song great. I am glad I got to see them in 1975 just a few months before Ed left the band.
You guys are very lucky to have had that experience, I would have loved to see them when Ed was still in the band. Their first 3 albums with Ed are the most important to me and I feel those albums to capture the true essence of Lynyrd Skynyrd. They were never the same again without him.
@@aschule5684 I agree that Ed had a unique style that was big part of their early sound. One regret that I do have, however, is not going to see them in Greenville, SC at their last show in 1977 before the plane crash. I grew up in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, and I used to see a lot of concerts at the Greenville Auditorium. My father worked in Greenville. My buddies asked me to go with them to the show that night, but I think I had to work and did not make it. I should have skipped work. It took my breath away the next day when I heard about the plane crash knowing they had just taken off from our hometown airport. I was 18 then. I cannot believe it has been almost 45 years.
Bob Burns was the Charlie Watts of Southern Rock! Bobs drum work was perfect for the songs. He was a clock!! Too many drummers I’ve played with over the years over play this song. Artie also has a great version, but Bob just makes this song with that tempo. Classic…..Bob is definitely the most forgotten foundation of this band. He was such a genuine fellow.
You are right. I went back and listened closely bc I’m a songwriter, not much of a live performer, and I can def hear the strong steady beat in just right time.
Billy Powell, Paul Griffin, Ray Charles, Larry Knechtel, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Nicky Hopkins, Ray Manzarek, Bob Mayo, Keith Emerson, Dr John, Rick Wakeman, Tony Banks, Jordan Rudess - who did I miss? (only the last three are still alive as of 2023)
I missed plenty: Elton John for starters, also Bruce Hornsby (although he's on the fringes of Jazz, so maybe not quite the target demographic for this list). I was thinking Rod Argent is right up there on talent and creativity but he didn't play a lot of piano (when he did, it was worth listening). I don't know how I forgot Chuck Leavell, though. No doubt there's heaps more.
Saw them play at the Georgia Tech student center in the mid-70’s before a small crowd. They loaded their own equipment. Then almost overnight they were a hit sensation. Played in front of The Who in Atlanta and were off to the races.
Ed King helped to make the album "NUTHIN FANCY" (1975), the BEST Skynyrd album of all time! Ed King, along with Alan Collins and Gary Rossington, with their key guitar solos, really was INSTRUMENTAL In making It the great album that It Is. Unfortunately though, this album is extremely UNDERRATED!!! Born sane In a Insane world 😮....
Great strat tone. Great, inventive licks and solos. He's always had the most identifiable playing out of the guitarists in the band. Also his playing is a bit more advanced than Gary or Allen's imo.
@@SuperStrik9 It's amazing how much of a difference there is when Ed King is playing Sweet Home Alabama. The fact that even I, who am not even a guitar aficionado, can tell means that he must have *really* been up among the gods, because all the Skynyrd guitarists were top notch!
I'm definitely going to have to listen to Sweet home Alabama with Ed King playing because I just listened to it for the first time the version I have always heard is our only fantastic also.
These where the days. Youngbloods take note this is a real southern rock band. Best in the land. They have rode coast to coast with me since 1975. Much respect
Ed was so under-rated, Allen Collins was incredible too. As nice and simple sounding as the leads are in SHA , they are anything but simple, they are a great joy to be able to play as Ed played them, you will find .02 out of a hundred players actually play the solos as Ed did in that song, anyone can play over it, but it is extremely rare to find someone that understands the passing tone structure and weaving-finesse that he had with it. The soloing by Allen Collins in Freebird is also amazing, simple for the most part, but amazing, he brought in some groundbreaking riffage in that song.
I was a fan of Ed King back In the days of his 1st band Strawberry alarm clock, writing their 2 biggest hits! What a talent and he really jumpstarted Skynyrd! RIP Ed
I was 7 years old when this was sung. I remember the first time hearing it on the radio. Being from southeast Alabama I realized how awesome we are. Only a small overlooked and stereotyped people. I was so proud and still to this day 50 years later. Very proud to be an American. God bless us and our allies!
its jus crazy how MANY talented guitar players ronnie had at his disposal , wish i had that lol Rest in Peace-Ed King RIP Mr King very talented guitarist and songwriter
Ed King was a guitar Master! The others guys were great too, but here in this song, Ed shines as no one else ever could have. (My opinion) Rossington had the D, C, G progression but Ed turned it into a masterpiece with his riffs and solos. I don't think he was allowed to play like this in his Strawberry Alarm Clock days, but in Skynyrd, Ed was allowed to show what he could do and we are all better off for it.
Yep. Mr. Ed King. When you hear those amazing licks on Sweet Home Alabama after Ronnie says "Here I come.." ...youre hearing Mr. Ed King. A truly great picker amongst pickers.
Love to watch Ed play the opening lick live here! He does the musician's 'funky neck thing', which makes me appreciate the 'funkiness' of the lick even more! RIP!
As a guitar player, I have analyzed Ed's technique through headphones for hours and this is one recording captures his technique beautifully. You can actually hear the finesse of his fingering so technically perfect that includes a feeling that simply cant be copied. That relatively simple intro he plays is impossible to get it to sound the way he makes it sound. Ive heard it played quite possibly more than any song covered in any genre and no one can make it sound just like Ed. Next time you see some band at your local pub attempt this song, listen close and you will hear what im talking about!! Ed King, You are up there with all the greats! And that little diddy you created, that you probably never gave much thought , will continue to frustrate guitarists till the end of time!!!
i luv ed king dearly bit there was a magic between all of these original members RVZ, rossington,collins, burns, leon, Billy powell, ed king...these guys were the original, the only lynyrd skynyrd
Thank u Ed 4 sharing your greatness an launching the boys in rite direction witch they we're heading that way already but now thanks 2 u with the rite sound n tone Allen league of his own best picker ever
My goodness, Collins and Rossington were both juveniles when they hit it big, that's for sure! I think they were both 18 when the deal with MCA was signed. Both sooo young, yet so very good at their craft!
Yes I was always amazed that these two totally uneducated, economically very poor individuals right off the street were able to achieve such excellence. And drop-dead consistency.
Seen them at Sedalia, Missouri in 1974 they kicked some ass making all 650,000 people sing along. It was a great afternoon, one that I'll never forget. Turn it up!
I can’t remember that many people there at the concert … But it was packed with people four sure … I remember the mud Marathon there as well at the fair 1974 Rock on 🎼🎸🎸🎸
