There have been numerous personnel changes during this second chapter, some of which were necessitated by the deaths of Collins in 1990, Wilkeson in 2001, Powell in 2009 and bassist Eon Evans that same year, losses that have only deepened the tragic elements of the Skynyrd story. Lynyrd Skynyrd has been together ever since, putting out eight studio albums and several live releases, while becoming a steady and successful presence on the touring circuit, even though the group endured its share of detractors who never felt the latter-day version of the band measured up to the original model. But in 1987, surviving members Rossington, guitarist Allen Collins, bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell and drummer Artimus Pyle decided to revive Skynyrd, bringing in guitarist Ed King (who was in Skynyrd from 1972 to 1975) and singer Johnny Van Zant to replace his late brother, Ronnie, in the new edition of the group. It looked like Lynyrd Skynyrd had come to a sudden, premature and tragic end. With early hits like the epic “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” helping the group gain a foothold, Lynyrd Skynyrd appeared to be hitting a musical peak with their fifth album, the 1977 release “Street Survivors.” But the album had been out only three days when an October plane crash claimed the lives of singer-songwriter and band leader Ronnie Van Zant, as well as guitarist Steve Gaines and backing singer Cassie Gaines (Steve’s sister), among others.
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Some of the triumphs came early as the group, based out of Jacksonville, Florida - not exactly known as a hotbed of promising acts at the time - overcame hardscrabble beginnings and several personnel changes to scrap their way to a record deal in the early 1970s with a hard-hitting but soulful brand of Southern rock. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionĪn expansive set list makes sense for Lynyrd Skynyrd, whose career represents one of rock’s most triumphant and tragic tales. The famous 1976 quote by Lynyrd Skynyrd vocalist Ronnie Van Zant lights up above a stage doorway inside the Fox Theatre. I think that’s one good way of kind of covering all the ground.” “It (the set list) changes, like one night on a Friday night we’ll do one set and on the next night we’ll do a different one. “It’s a mixed bag of tricks,” Medlocke said of the set list, which will include some songs Lynyrd Skynyrd has not played live for some time. So it’s on with the show, and Medlocke said the band’s shows will go beyond the expected selection of hits and fan favorites. The pandemic also caused the band members to appreciate anew being able to play live and connect with fans - and be around each other as bandmates. Rossington is reporting that he’s in better health than he was when plans for the farewell tour were assembled. And the band is hinting that these sort of shorter runs will continue into the future.
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So now the band is doing a handful of dates each month into November. The group had planned to do a three-year final tour, but the pandemic interrupted things as the third year of concerts was just beginning. Right now, though, it looks like this could be a longer farewell than expected. “I’ve often said to a lot of people, and I’ve said in interviews, that while it lasted, people should take the time and the opportunity to get out and see the band and have a good time with us because you never knew when you were going to wake up one day and we had called it a day.” “I know that the fans, a lot of fans are really sad about it because it (Skynyrd’s tours) gave them something to look forward to every summer and come out and have a good time and listen to the music and all of that kind of stuff,” Medlocke said.
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Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington kept things rockin' for the Atlanta stop of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour.