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Classic Rock Rewind with–> Lynyrd Skynyrd

I can’t think of another band that has had more heartache shoved in the laps of the band members, their fans, friends, and family than the band “Lynyrd Skynyrd” has had.  But on the same note, the band has enjoyed a cruise of success along that bumpy ride.

High school friends Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Allen Collins, formed a band in 1964 that would eventually become Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band broke into the limelight in 1973 with the release of their first album pronounced ‘lĕh-’nérd ’skin-’nérd which featured their first big hit “Free Bird”, a song still loved by many, including myself. Skynyrd opened for “The Who” on their “Quadrophenia” tour in the U.S. helping to explode their fan base. It has been said that most every band that ever opened for “The Who” were eventually booed to make way for the headline act, accept Lynyrd Skynyrd who was actually cheered for an encore.

In 1974 Lynyrd Skynyrd released their second album titled Second Helping which featured another big hit called “ Sweet Home Alabama”, a response to “Neil Young” songs “Alabama” and “Southern Man”. Many fans considered them as enemies but in reality were good friends.

In 1975 their third album titled “Nuthin’ Fancy“ was released which featured the debut of drummer “Artimus Pyle”. This album wasn’t quite as popular as the first two but did include the songs “Saturday Night Special” and one of my favorites “On The Hunt”.

In 1976 their fourth album was released titled “Gimme Back My Bullets“. This was when the female backup singers called “The Honkettes” were introduced. Leslie Hawkins, Cassie Gaines, and JoJo Billingsey were added to the band that year. This same year both Allen Collins and Gary Rossington each had serious car accidents which slowed the progress of the band. The bands only live album featuring the original band members in concert was also released that year called “One More From the Road” .

1977 was a tragic year for the band. The album “Street Survivors“ was released that year which featured the addition of guitarist “Steve Gaines” who was the younger brother of Cassie Gaines. Then tragedy struck the band and shocked the world. Three days after the release of the album, the band was headed to LSU for a concert date when their jet ran out of fuel in Mississippi and crashed. Killed were singer Ronnie Van Zant, new guitarist Steve Gaines, and his sister Cassie Gaines. The remaining band members survived but suffered serious injuries.

The band reunited in 1987 with a reunion tour featuring Ronnies brother Johnny Van Zant as the new front man. Returning members Ed King, Artimus Pyle, Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, and Leon Wilkeson, joined together for the tour. This long awaited return of the band was highly welcomed by the distraught fans of Lynyrd Skynyrd. The tour was a big hit and fueled the return of the band.

Sadness and heartache would still be present though as different band members continued to suffer and were eventually lost. Among those were Allen Collins who died in 1990, Leon Wilkeson who died in 2001, Hughie Thomasson died in 2007, Billy Powell died in January of 2009, and former bassist Ean Evans died in May of 2009. Ed King is still alive but cannot tour with the band due to chronic heart problems. Artimus Pyle is still playing with his own band The APB. Gary Rossington is the lone survivor and only original member of the band and is still playing today with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

 Below are several videos of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing through the years.

The first video here is a classic as Lynyrd Skynyrd performs Cry For The Bad Man in 1975.

  video management, video solution, video streaming

The second video features Lynyrd Skynyrd still in the early years doing one of my favorites live called I Aint The One in 1977.

This next video is also in 1977 with the performance of That Smell.

This next video is a vintage classic of the true original members of the band including Ed King as they perform Don’t Ask Me no Questions.

This next one is more for your listening pleasure as Lynyrd Skynyrd plays a very well done version of Crossroads in 1976.

The next video is a slightly more recent version of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1997 performing Saturday Night Special.

This next one is from a concert in Nashville in 2007 featuring their big hit Sweet Home Alabama.

And we will finish up here with a partial video of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing the rock anthem Free Bird in 2009.

Thanks for taking the time take a ride back in time with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Music OverDrive. Hope you enjoyed the trip and I hope to see you next time.

Classic Rock Then And Now with–> Van Halen

The group Van Halen are some heavy hitter hard rockers. The band formed in 1972 and released their self titled debut album in 1978. This album was one of their best as it was loaded with good songs.

The band members have come and gone, some returned and some didn’t. The four members in 1978 were brothers Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and lead singer David Lee Roth.

Here is a clip of this early version of Van Halen live in 1981.  This particular clip here, in my opinion, is true blue Van Halen like I remember Van Halen sounding, looking, and acting. Notice at the very start how Diamond Dave launches himself off of the pedestal in high leg fashion to start the show with a bang.

This next clip is a 1993 version featuring Sammy Hagar at lead vocals.

Unchained 1993

This is a recent 2008 version with Diamond Dave back at the controls.

Unchained 2008

There you have it. Van Halen then in 1981.

Van Halen a little later in 1993 with a different singer and then the most recent now version of 2008. It seems to me that this version truly is Van Halen with the addition of Wolfgang Van Halen on Bass, with Uncle Alex on drums and Daddy Eddie on lead guitar. Then of course you have the ever popular Diamond Dave back at lead vocals. There is another video over on the Live Videos Page of a 1982 concert in Largo and DLR appears to be flying just below the radar in this one.

I hope you enjoyed your ride back in time with Van Halen and MusicOverDrive. Thanks for stopping by and visit us again.

Classic Rock Then And Now with–>Golden Earring

This edition of Music OverDrive’s Classic Rock Then And Now features the band “Golden Earring”.
Here is another one of those ageless groups that just keeps on ticking. Golden Earring has been hanging around the Classic Rock Music scene for quite a few years now. I remember seeing them in concert back in the early 80’s when they opened for Ted Nugent. I have always been a big fan of the drummers and always centered my focus on the drummer.

This night proved to be a real treat because Cesar Zuiderwijk, Golden Earring’s drummer, impressed me with his style and movement to the point that I still consider him as one of the best drummers I have ever seen. Anyway, he was good. They were good. Still are good.
They are still touring today with the same four friends/band members playing together since the early 70’s. They are the above mentioned Cesar Zuiderwijk on drums, Barry Hay on guitar and lead vocals, George Kooymans on guitar and vocals, and Rinus Gerritsen on Bass Guitar.

Here is the first video from waaay back then in 1973,  the song,  Radar Love.

Here is the second video from way back then in 1982, the song, Twilight Zone.

The last video here is from 2006, the song, Radar Love. Take note here of the drummer in this last video. It appears to me that he is enjoying himself as he just glides through the motions of playing the skins just like a well oiled machine.

Well, that’s going to do it for this round of Classic Rock Then And Now. I hope you enjoyed your stroll back in time with Golden Earring and Music OverDrive.

Don’t forget to place your votes in the Classic Rock Battle Of The Bands Here.

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