- Album list
- Singer Intro
Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ LEN-ərd-SKIN-ərd) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as My Backyard in Jacksonville, Florida, the band was also known by names such as The Noble Five and One Percent, before finally deciding on 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' in 1969. The band gained worldwide recognition for its live performances and signature songs 'Sweet Home Alabama' and 'Free Bird'. At the peak of their success, two band members and a backup singer died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation. The band has sold 28 million records in the United States.
The surviving band members reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record with co-founder Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke — who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 (before his return to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996). Fellow founding member Larry Junstrom, along with '70s members Ed King and Artimus Pyle, remain active in music but no longer tour or record with the band. Longtime drummer Michael Cartellone has recorded and toured with the band since 1999. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
Band members
Current members
Gary Rossington – guitars (1964–1977, 1979, 1987–present)
Rickey Medlocke – vocals, drums, mandolin (1971–1972), guitars, backing vocals (1996–present)
Johnny Van Zant – lead vocals (1987–present)
Michael Cartellone – drums (1999–present)
Mark Matejka – guitars, backing vocals (2006–present)
Peter Keys – keyboards (2009–present)
Johnny Colt – bass (2012–present)
Touring members
Dale Krantz-Rossington – backing vocals (1987–present)
Carol Chase – backing vocals (1996–present)
Former (original) members
Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals (1964–1977; died 1977)
Allen Collins – guitar (1964–1977, 1979; died 1990)
Bob Burns – drums (1964–1974; died 2015)
Larry Junstrom – bass (1964–1970)
Greg T. Walker – bass (1971–1972)
Leon Wilkeson – bass (1971–1977, 1987–2001; died 2001)
Billy Powell – keyboards (1972–1977, 1979, 1987–2009; died 2009)
Ed King – guitar, bass (1972–1975, 1987–1996)
Artimus Pyle – drums (1974–1977, 1979, 1987–1991)
Steve Gaines – guitar, vocals (1976–1977; died 1977)
Former (original) touring members
Cassie Gaines – backing vocals (1975–1977; died 1977)
JoJo Billingsley – backing vocals (1975–1977; died 2010)
Leslie Hawkins – backing vocals (1975–1977)
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