Through hard work and determination Ronnie Van Zant, took his band Lynyrd Skynyrd, from the streets of Jacksonville Florida to the top of the charts. You know the story but do you know the man?
I always thought it was amazing how he can just hear his band-mates playing... Then tell them..."hold up, that sounds good.. keep working on it, ill be back".. and in a couple hours he returns with lyrics for ENTIRE song... Rare breed, that man. Incredible talent
BrillStrat Terrence Trent D’arby used to hear a bit of music, disappear for 15 mins and return with a top 10 single’s lyrics. Wishing Well, for example ... :-)
Hell yeah ! When they played Freebird at the end of the movie Devils Rejects . Out of repect to the boys we stood & sang along with it ! And gave a Rebel Yell at the end.
It was Ronnie who talked his band into getting on an aircraft he knew had mechanical problems + a pilot and copilot who were drinking and snorting cocaine . The band / road manager for Aerosmith looked at the exact same plane and declined to purchase it after Actually Reading the history of problems and lack of maintenance . Had LS had the same kind of manager , they would still be alive today .
J Goode he left Bc he played on old strings one concert and Ronnie chewed him out. Ed left the next morning and the other players were forced to get together and adjust
Although his life was short, it was not short lived. He lives on with his art of music, that influenced generations and generations to come....you can feel their music....you can listen to it over and over and never get tired of it. That’s heart and soul ladies and gentlemen. Music today lacks that quality it once had.
Best band ever. Nothing nor no one will ever compare. True fans have been left with a huge black hole that can not nor will not ever be made complete or whole. RIP
Best band ever!!! Ronnie was only 29 years old and had already made so much great music ain't no telling what other songs we could've gotten from him deff gone way to soon!
I was lucky enough to see them before the crash and was holding tickets for another show when the plane went down. Watching this brought back fond memories. The best southern rock band ever and one of the absolute best overall. Watching this brought tears to my eyes. Damn shame.
My mom was A nurse for Allen Collins after he was in an accident many years ago. My dad and uncle grew up with Ronnie Van Zant. He was especially good friends with my uncle and my family's burial plot is literally right around the corner from where they were reburied. This was a great documentary.
Christina Marie I WAS AT RONNIES HOUSE THE NIGHT I HEARD ABOUT ALLEN BEING IN THE WRECK. I LIVED IN,WESTSIDE, RIVERSIDE, AND ORANGE PARK. MY SISTER IN LAWS FAMILY LIVED OFF OF 295 AND NORMANDY BLVD.
I'm born and raised on the Westside of Jacksonville. As a kid this was our band. The loss to this day is still hard to except. My sister is buried in the same cemetery as Ronnie when I go there to visit my sister I always stop and say hi to Ronnie. This place is in Orange Park, Florida. If your a die hard fan like us come and visit Ronnie one time in your life. "What song is it you want to hear? FREE BIRD I heard it then. We miss you Ronnie Fly on!"..
Yes, yes it does. I felt very strongly compelled to watch you tube video of the last live performance of freebird a few weeks ago. And....it was as if i was both seeing and hearing it for the first time. Wondered why it felt that way. My oldest son and hie wife are expecting their first baby, and havent settled on a name yet. I felt moved to suggest Ronnie!!! It would work for a boy or a girl. Came to find out, when i felt compelled to watch the freebird video weeks ago: it was Ronnie's birthday!!!!!! Love ya Ronnie Van Zant.
@@dalekelly7639 I bet your one of those people who are always right.... Steve Tyler,? Really.....the doors.....come on .....,don't forget about lawence welk
@@jimreal3840 I actually like LS quite a bit. Saw them many years ago as the opening act for the Who! I was just a little irritated when you said bands like the Doors and Aerosmith are not in the same category. That makes you sound like someone who thinks they are always right. And to compare them to Lawrence Well makes no sense at all.
The best dam band ever you guys are missed but never forgotten. I'm sure you guys are still rocking in that big stadium in the sky. Thank you so much for sharing.
bill R yeah but it's not the same.. How ironic is it that the song "that smell" was about Gary Rossingtons extreme drug use and near death close calls and he is the only original member left
I thought I knew everything there was to know about Lynyrd Skynyrd. I am a lifelong long member and fan of the group. In 1995 I even went to Jacksonville Florida for the Freebird Festival where I had Vip Ticket, which included beer, food and front row seats for a day of southern rock music. It was at Jacksonville Air Force Bse. Before the show we found Ronnie's gravesite. I will never forget paying respect to one of the best singer/songwriter the world has known and now someone destroyed it. Man, what a cruel world to live in!! Lynyrd Skynyrd fan forever!!
Eric Howry .... Do you mean, Jacksonville Naval Air Station? It’s on the St. John’s River. No Air Force...Jacksonville is a Navy town/city. Anyway, glad you were here. That plane crash was a great shock to all their fans and to Jacksonville. However, some of the band members regrouped a couple of times, changed the names of the bands as well, in order to continue the Lynryd Skynyrd Legacy. So sad, the many tragedies that followed the plane crash. I believe, that Ricky Medlocke is the only surviving founder of the band. R I P. We still love your music and always keep a place in our hearts for you all. PEACE came to Allen Collins in 1990.
Me too. The most remarkable thing I learned about Ronnie was that when he was composing. he never wrote anything down. He would be given a lick or a riff by Gary or Allan and would come back with a song. Amazing genius.
Ronnie van Zant was Lynyrd Skynyrd Ronnie was the only one that could never be replaced the songs he wrote and the way he sang them was Nothing short of greatness, that kind of talent is something that could never been replaced. LONG LIVE LYNYRD SKYNYRD THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME
A very tragic story that ended up with an amazing recovery from the survivors, a brother and very talented additions. We all are so very lucky that this iconic band rose from the ashes to give us many more years of amazing Southern Rock. Thank God for all of the incredible memories that we all grew up with thanks to these incredible musicians. My family is under strict orders to play Freebird at my funeral. That pretty much says it all... doesn’t it?!?! 🙏👊✌️
While the ghost of Skynyrd lives on to this day... the man and the band I loved and lived by died the day Ronnie departed... This man influenced my life like no other... Can't even imagine what my life would be like without his vocal and lyrical talents to guide me along... Nice video tribute to one of America's hero's... who flew ole glory proudly...
I wish I was around when Ronnie Van Zant was around. I was born a little over a year after the plane crashed. Damn man!!. We lost some legends. R. I. P. Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, and the rest of you guys. Their music never gets old. Their music never dies.
These videos just keep getting better. They're the perfect blend of personal biography and artistic appreciation for the featured artist. Some of these have inspired me to investigate the artist more deeply. Thanks!
Very beautifully done. The music of Lynyrd Skynyrd will always be played! May all the members of the band enjoy retirement. Love to y'all from East Tennessee❤🙏👆⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘
This clip was under a video of a band that I subscribe to... My first thought was: "Well, who doesn't know *THIS* story!" But then I clicked it and remembered, this is for our younger generations that may only NOW be hearing and learning about Ronnie and the rest of ' Skynyrd. We, as the generations that were around to see them in concert, follow their tours and hear their records need to remember to let those youngsters know how great they were and to give 'em a serious listen. After all, that's how we remember *ALL* the great ones... best way to educate is *word* *of* *mouth* !
Wow, that's hard to believe it's been 43 years since the plane went down I remember that day just like it was today now all your brothers are up there with you and you're all jamming again in Rock and Roll Heaven rest in peace Lynyrd Skynyrd.....
❤❤I loved him the minuet I saw him on TV. I swear apart of me went down with him in that plane. Nobody ever before or since has commanded a stage like Ronnie❤❤❤❤
Music has and will always be my source of Happiness and serenity......it’s a gift to all of us from the talented souls who like soldiers give their lives the many. Thank you for these stories even though it breaks my damned heart as much today as it did all those years ago,
Ronnie is the best frontman who ever lived. The heart and soul of the band. He will live forever through the songs he sang. God Bless you! Fly on Freebird!
That was truly a great video on someone who was almost an idol to me. I always love listening to "One More From The Road" and think "Street Survivors" as one of the best albums ever made. He will live on - (in our memories).
Greatest rock and roll band to ever step on a stage. Ronnie was the common man's poet and rock and roll's greatest front man. Long live the Lynyrd Skynyrd band.
My dad put me on to this legendary band when i was a kid was my dad's favorite band and as im 34 years old i deff see why played freebird at his funeral R.I.P Daddy
What really sucks it that some of the band members knew of the previous mechanical problems with that plane and we're reluctant to go , it was the same plane in 1973 that Aerosmith wanted nothing to do with because of it's mechanical problems and witnesses seeing the pilots drunk at times.
Despite all of the trials that the band had to endure, they continued to plug along, gaining additional fame and adoration as they went. I remember playing the cassette-tape (remember those?) of the bands Second Coming L.P. multiple times, singing to it as we, my friends and I, listened to it - eventually memorizing all of the lyrics to each song. They were, and still are, a fondly remembered band; one that I feel honored to have shared some of my teenage years with. R. I. P. guys, your legacy marches on! :€)
Simply the best band any ear 👂 can hear ! Rock, Country , Rhythm and Blues mixed into 1 ! so sad what happened that day 10/20/77😞 Lynyrd Skynyrd My Favorite Forever !!! 🎼🎶🎵🎙🎤🎹🥁🎸🎸🎸🎸
Absolutely loved Ronnie Van Zant. So talented and handsome too. Tragedy that his plane ✈️ crashed. Ronnie is a Free Bird 🦅 now. Lynyrd Skynyrd will be forever played 🎶🎶💙💙🖤🖤
I MOVED TO WEST JACKSONVILLE EARLY MONTHS OF 1976, AND I MET RONNIE WHEN HE WAS LIVING IN RIVERSIDE AT THE TIME FRAME. LATER ON I USE TO GO TO HIS HOUSE OUT IN DOCTORS INLET RIGHT OUT OF ORANGE PARK, FLORIDA WHICH IS IN CLAY COUNTY, WITH STEVE, AND CASSIE GAINES BROTHER BOBBY GAINES. SOME YEARS LATER I WAS AT A BAR CALLED THE STILL WHICH WAS OWNED BY THEIR OLD GYM COACH LEONARD SKINNER, IN WHICH THEY GOT THE NAME OF THE BAND FROM HIM. I WAS SITTING WITH LEON WILKERSON, WHILE BILLY POWELL, AND ATIMUS PYLE WAS PLAYING WITH A GROUP THAT USE TO BE CALLED ICE HOUSE LATER CHANGED TO BOXCAR. THERE WAS A GLASS SQURE ASHTRAY SITTING ON THE TABLE THAT CRACKED DIAGONALLY IN HALF DUE TO THEM PLAYING. I SHOWED IT TO LEON WILKERSON AND HE WAS REALLY SURPRISED BY IT. ONE OF THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS WAS ALSO RICKY MEDLOCKE OF BLACKFOOT. THEN A FEW YEARS BACK THAT DONNIE VAN ZANTS BAND 38 SPECIAL WON'T PLAY ANYMORE DUE TO DONNIE LOST HIS HEARING IN HIS RIGHT EAR. THEN JOHNNY VAN ZANT AS I KNOW FROM A FEW YEARS BACK HAS THE NEW LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND, RONNIES HOUSE IN DOCTOR'S INLET WAS SOLD TO ROBERT NIX FROM ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION, AND TO MY UNDERSTANDING THE HOUSE IS GONE, AND THAT ROBERT NIX ALSO PASTED AWAY, AND HIS BROTHERS WERE ROBIN AND RUNT NIX. BOBBY GAINES AS I KNOW GOT MARRIED, AND MOVED AWAY. I WISH I COULD DIFINITELY FIND HIM TO SEE IF HE'S STILL LIVING. JOJO BILLINGSLEY PASSED AWAY IN MISSISSIPPI. THAT IS TO MY UNDERSTANDING. SHE WAS ONE OF THE BACKUP VOCALIST. TALKING ABOUT THIS I SURE MISS THE OLD DAYS WITH THEM AND HAVING FUN WITH THEM. BACK IN 73 OR 74 I INITIALLY MET THEM IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS AT A PLACE THERE, AND WE DID A CAKE FOR THEM WHEN THEY DID A CONCERT THERE. BUT I NEVER REALIZED THAT IN 1976 THAT I WOULD BE MOVING THERE. NOW I'M 356 MILES AWAY FROM THERE CLOSE TO ALABAMA, I TALK TO JANE VAN ZANT, AND ALSO TO MY KNOWLEDGE THAT JIMMY VAN ZANT HAS PASSED AWAY WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
Mary Smith Ronnie's house was on Brickyard road about a mile from my house and yes mamm it's gone unfortunately I wished someone wouldve preserved it for the fans Skynyrd was a true Southern Treasure RIP Skynyrd
Ray Walters YES RONNIE DID LIVE ON BRICK YARD ROAD. I'VE BEEN TO HIS HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES. I STILL KNOW HOW TO GET BACK TO THE HOUSE IN DOCTORS INLET. I WAS AT RONNIES HOUSE THE NIGHT I ALLEN COLLINS WHEN WE GOT THE MESSAGE THAT ALLIN COLLINS WAS IN A WRECK. WE WENT TO ALLEN'S HOUSE. I ALSO WAS SITTING ON THE DOCK ONE NIGHT, AND I STARTED TO GET SOME CATTAILS WHEN I CUT MY THUMB. I STILL HAVE THE SCAR. IF YOU ALSO KNOW ROBIN NIXS HIS BROTHER RUNT WAS WITH ME WHEN I CUT MY THUMB.
Ray Walters THE REASON WHY WAS ROBERT NIX FROM ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION BOUGHT RONNIES HOUSE, AND FROM MY KNOWLEDGE ROBERT LET IT GET RUN DOWN. ROBERT AND I DIDN'T SEE EYE TO EYE, AND I DON'T THINK RUNT DID EITHER, AND NEITHER DID ROBIN. MY EX HUSBANDS FATHER WAS REVEREND GAIL B SMITH A BAPTIST MINISTER AND HIS WIFE IS BURIED AT JACKSONVILLE MEMORIAL GARDENS. HE USE TO HANG AROUND WITH BOB MOODY, AND LYLE CLEMENTS WHO DID STAGE WORK AT THE COLOSSEUM IN JACKSONVILLE. THERE WAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT BAND MEMBERS THAT USE TO GO TO RONNIES HOUSE. IF YOU GONE THERE HE HAD A PINBALL MACHINE AT THE HOUSE.
Hello It's me THAT'S YOUR PEROGATIVE. I WAS THERE BEEN THERE, AND DONE IT. THEN GO LOOK AT MY PAGE ON FACEBOOK. MY FATHER IN LAW WAS A BAPTIST MINISTER, AND HE BECAME MY FATHER IN LAW IN 83 WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I GOT MARRIED IN WILLOW BRANCH PARK IN RIVERSIDE BY THE RIVERSIDE LIBRARY. I USE TO LIVE ON WILLOW BRANCH NOT TOO FAR FROM ROBERT E LEE HIGH SCHOOL. BY THE WAY I IF I WAS IT I WOULD OF WRITTEN WHAT I WROTE. I TELL YOU WHAT YOU GO TO JACKSONVILLE MEMORIAL GARDENS AND LOOK FOR REVEREND GAIL B. SMITH AND ALICE SMITH, THAT WAS MY IN LAWS. I GOT MARRIED WHEN I WAS 28. I DON'T HAVE NO REASON TO LIE. I KNOW WHERE I'VE BEEN, I KNOW WHAT I'VE DONE. I DON'T HAVE TO JUSTIFY TO ANYONE. I WILL TELL YOU THIS HAVE YOU NOTICE THAT DONNIE ISN'T PLAYING ANYMORE. I KNOW THE REASON WHY. WHOEVER YOU ARE. YOU CAN'T USE YOUR REAL NAME BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT YOU CAN'T BE REAL. AT LEAST I'M REAL AND MY NAME IS REAL ALONG WITH MY PHOTO . ☺
Those of us who this band made stronger,know how lucky we are. When you ran into Billy at NFL preseason game or Leon over in Hyde Park with his kids, they were by God great people. Johnny was playing a little gig at the Barrels in Pensacola. my wife at time and myself were Blessed to be there. He passed around a half gallon of Jack and blew us away. Baby brother done Damn good in my opinion. thanks for carrying on the ultimate rock and roll band. God bless all the Vanzants. Thanks for the ride. Rick Davis. jax Fla.
This is the best memorial video's I've seen for Ronnie . My son's favorite band was lynard skynrd . My son Patrick died at the age or 20 yrs old . We had his memorial at the Ronnie van zant park in green cove springs fla . Patrick would have liked this video . Hope you get to meet my son Ronnie . He loved our southern heritage , And your music. God bless . Harry .
Check the band history of Leon and Ed. Leon Wilkeson was the sometimes member around the time of the first album being recorded. Ed King was not terminated, he quit.
Leon quit Skynyrd before the first album.. Ed king played bass on all tracks on Pronounced except Mississippi kid ,and Tuesdays Gone.. Al kooper played bass on Tuesdays Gone... Leon rejoined Skynyrd shortly after...
The absolute best I've ever heard....loved their music from the first time I heard it.....bought every album.....still have 2 of the original street survivors albums with the flames.....my hats off to all of them....everyone of them.....took my son to see them in Marion SC in 2003...2004...Rickey Medlock keep throwing my 9 yr old son a pic until I finally caught one in a guys hat he let me use......Gary Rossington......your my hero of guitar players....not taken anything away from anyone.... but at 54 I'd still love to shake your hand and talk about your life long journey as one of the best guitarist in the world.....always have and always will rock out to Skynard.'.....this year's your farewell tour they say.....and if I can physically do it (busted back) issue's....disabled for 6 yrs now.......I will be there to see you all...1more time....1more time....as the song says.....love you guys and all the music y'all have given to all of us......God Bless
Are the flames in the background on your Street Survivors album cover? My son has the original cover with the flames. He wouldn’t part with it for the world. So sad, that all that talent is gone. Only the recordings remain plus some videos on RU-vid. 🥇🌞🐊🇺🇸
what a great site! I listened to Skynard growing up. Can't think of any one who didn't. Interesting info and a great presentation. I look forward to using this site to find out about other great performers I've enjoyed.
Saw 'em in Landover, MD exactly one year to the day before their tragic crash, and saw the Johnny Van Zant version in '91. The day this happened, Oct 20, 1977, I went to work, sat on the back stoop, smoked a pack of Marlboro and cried until lunch, then quit my job and walked 15 miles home. My wife and I split up 4 or 5 days later and the late 1970's became a swirl of emotion. Bought my first HD in 78 and never looked back. I wonder, how different my life might have been had the crash never happened?
Yeah, would have been a mundane life without southern rockers, Harley, six pack and a joint too boot! Oh yeah don't forget to fire up that lighter when playing 'FREE BIRD" LONG LIVE ' Lynyrd Skynyrd '!!!
I went to Robert E. Lee high school in 1973 - it was about 9 years after they went there - I don't remember coach Skinner - but I understand he started a realty business called Skinner Realty and I remember seeing those signs in many places [ Back then the school did not have air conditioning and heating was by steam radiators Towards the end of the year - in June when it was getting hot - we would open all the windows and drop little paper helicopters out ... [ In the back of the school to the left of the sports field - there was a line of bamboo - behind which some of the kids would go there and smoke [ also just to the other side of the school - there was a little Skinner's Dairy store ( not affiliated with coach Skinner ) . I used to get a dollar for lunch money from my parents - and with it i could go there and get a little pack of doughnuts or cinnamon rolls, a pint of milk, and a pack of cigarettes - and have some change left over ... [ One of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Manning - she said that her nephew was Archie Manning - a famous NFL football player at the time .
Ha that's interesting, my first elementary school was Robert E. Lee elementary in Virginia, of course in today's world of "Don't offend anyone" you can guess the name was recently changed along with Jeff Davis jr high.
"In ten years, we'll all be standing in his shadow" ~ Ronnie Van Zant on Steve Gaines Ronnie described Gaines as a "Triple Threat" - A great songwriter, a great singer, and a great performer. Steve Gaines sang the song "Ain't No Good Life" and also got Lynyrd Skynyrd to perform his rendition of "I Know a Little". These songs showcased the talent of Steve Gaines and there is no doubt that had that accident never happened, Lynyrd Skynyrd would have had two lead singers, two songwriters, and a powerhouse of performance artists that were the quintessential Southern Rock band. God love you all.
My kids, Ronin and Bella, love this band. Who wouldn't? Beautiful and soulful music. Cheers from 4 goalies..two fella's and two gals. Cheers from BC, Canada. Simple Man..our favourite. Peace.
