Lynyrd Skynyrd (
/ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ LEN-ərd SKIN-ərd)
[2] is an American
rock band formed in
Jacksonville, Florida. The group originally formed as My Backyard in 1964 and comprised
Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocalist),
Gary Rossington (guitar),
Allen Collins (guitar),
Larry Junstrom (bass guitar) and
Bob Burns (drums). The band spent five years touring small venues under various names and with several lineup changes before deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band released
their first album in 1973, having settled on a lineup that included bassist
Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist
Billy Powell and guitarist
Ed King. Burns left and was replaced by
Artimus Pyle in 1974. King left in 1975 and was replaced by
Steve Gaines in 1976. At the height of their fame in the 1970s, the band popularized the
Southern rock genre with songs such as "
Sweet Home Alabama" and "
Free Bird". After releasing five studio albums and one live album, the band's career was abruptly halted by tragedy on October 20, 1977, when
their chartered airplane crashed, killing Van Zant, Gaines, and backup singer
Cassie Gaines, and seriously injuring the rest of the band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with Ronnie's brother
Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalist. They continue to tour and record with co-founder Rossington (the band's sole continuous member), Johnny Van Zant, and
Rickey Medlocke, who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 before his return in 1996. In January 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced
its farewell tour,
[3] and continue touring as of October 2019. Members are also working on their fifteenth album.
[4]
In 2004,
Rolling Stone magazine ranked Lynyrd Skynyrd No. 95 on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
[5][6] Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
[7] To date, the band has sold more than 28 million records in the United States.