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SNAFU......FUBAR




We know what was and since 20 October, 1977, we have only been able to wonder what might have been.  No matter the loss that we as fans suffered, the families of the band members suffered a much greater loss. That is something that we as fans must never forget. We should also take time to remember the families of Walter McCreary and William John Gray, the pilot and co-pilot of the ill fated flight, as they too suffered terrible losses.


That Freebird keeps on flying, it never will come down.
JVZ 1991

I swore I saw that FREEBIRD fly, ridin'the winds of the southern sky...
JVZ1991



...well I dreamed I saw Ronnie,
with his mic stand in his hand.
He was singin' about the FREEBIRD
with the boys in the band...
Laney Strickland
from his song
"Would It Be The Same"

 

 
An open mike stand in the spotlight is how the band paid tribute to Ronnie when they reformed as The Rossington Collins Band.  Legend has it that the idea originated when the surviving members of LYNYRD SKYNYRD were persuaded to play at The Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam in 1979.  According to the legend the person running the light show did this when the band started to play an instrumental version of Freebird and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.  This tribute continued with The Rossington Collins Band with the addition of "This one's for you, Ronnie!" just before they played Freebird and "dipped" toward the  mike when Ronnie would have begun to sing the lyics.  As a further tribute to Ronnie, no one sang the lyrics.

 

Remembering Ronnie
-Charlie Daniels 1978-

A brief candle, both ends burning
An endless mile, a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
That we're all part of everything
The present, future, and the past
Fly on proud bird, you're free at last

Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington
The HEART and SOUL of the REAL LYNYRD SKYNYRD


L-R Artimus Pyle, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant, Ed King

Permission for use granted by Ed King



THE FREEBIRDS OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD

Ronnie Van Zant

Steve Gaines

Cassie Gaines

15 Jan 1948

14 Sept 1949

09 Jan 1948

thru

thru

thru

20 Oct 1977

20 Oct 1977

20 Oct 1977

Dean Kilpatrick

Allen Collins

Leon Wilkeson

30 May 1949

19 Jul 1952

04 Apr 1952

thru

thru

thru

20 Oct 1977

23 Jan 1990

27 Jul 2001

Tom Dowd

01 Jan 1925

thru

27 Oct 2002

"...but the Freebird lives, still in our hearts, in our souls and in our minds..."
Laney Strickland from "Would It Be The Same"




This is my favorite LYNYRD SKYNYRD album, simply because it contains my all time favorite LYNYRD SKYNYRD song.  Although it was recorded in 1971, it was not released until 1998.  This album shows off the raw, unpolished power that would become LYNYRD SKYNYRD as we all knew and loved them.  The version of Freebird that appears on this album is, in my humble opinion, the best studio version the band ever recorded.  Ironically this album features the talents of Rickey Medlocke  on drums as well as lead vocals on two tracks.  Rickey now plays with the current version of the band, but now his talents shine with his guitar work and back-up vocals.

Below are the lyrics of my all time favorite LYNYRD SKYNYRD song.  Although it was not released either as a single or on any of the band's other albums (until First and Last), is contains a lesson that should be taken to heart by each and every person who hears it.

Lend A Helpin' Hand
    (Allen Collins - Ronnie Van Zant - Gary Rossington)

Oh. Now when you think the time's are tough
Take a look around
'Cause babies are dying from disease
Sleeping out on the ground
People never seen the tortured eyes
From a foreign land. No
When you see somebody who's down and out
Lend a helpin' hand
lend a helpin' hand. If you can
Lend a helpin' hand
Do it if you can

Oh. Every time you feed your face
Do you bow your head
Hunger kills each and every day
Won't you share your bread
If you've ever felt the pain inside
I know you'd understand
When you see somebody who's down and out
Lend a helpin' hand
You better, lend a helpin' hand. If you can
Lend a helpin' hand
Do it if you can

Oh. Every time you feed that face
Do you look around
For somebody right in your own neighborhood
Sleepin out on the ground
If you've ever felt the pain inside
I know you'd understand
When you see somebody who's down and out
Lend a helpin' hand
Why don't you, lend a helpin' hand. If you can
Lend a helpin' hand
Won't you please lend a helpin' hand




This photo is of Ronnie's daughter, Melody, and Steve's daughter Corrine on Corrine's Wedding Day.  Imagine how proud and happy their pappa's would be!


 


I'm keepin' an eye bulb out fer ya!

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