Free Bird

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd from their debut album (pronounced ’lĕh‐’nérd ’skin‐’nérd), and Zoo Freaks, you’re in for some wild trivia about this Southern rock anthem! Co-written by guitarist Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, the song’s opening line, “If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?” was inspired by a real moment when Collins’ girlfriend Kathy Johns asked him that very question. Collins jotted it down, and it became the emotional core of the track. The song’s epic guitar solo, stretching nearly four minutes, wasn’t part of the original 1972 recording, which was a shorter ballad. Collins refined it over a year, and by 1973, it was the blazing duel we know today, ranking #3 on Guitar World’s list of greatest guitar solos in 2010 and 2016. Fun fact: the studio version hit #19 on the Billboard Hot 100, but the 14-minute live version from One More from the Road became a fan favorite, with Van Zant famously asking crowds, “What song is it you want to hear?” sparking deafening calls for “Free Bird.”

Here’s a quirky tidbit: shouting “Free Bird!” at concerts, even non-Skynyrd shows, became a humorous tradition. At a 1993 Nirvana MTV Unplugged performance, a fan’s yell for “Free Bird” led Kurt Cobain to jokingly play a slurred bit of “Sweet Home Alabama.” Even Bob Dylan got in on it, playing an instrumental snippet of “Free Bird” at a 2016 Berkeley show after a fan’s request. The song’s cultural reach is massive—it’s in films like Forrest Gump, where it underscores Jenny’s balcony scene, and Kingsman: The Secret Service, where director Matthew Vaughn chose it for a chaotic church brawl because the solo’s length perfectly matched the scene. In 2008, the 1973 recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and as of 2013, it had sold over 2.1 million digital downloads. Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie’s brother, noted in 2010 that the song connects differently with everyone, from graduation ceremonies to funerals, calling it a rare Skynyrd love song with universal resonance.

Now, let’s rewind to how Lynyrd Skynyrd got rolling. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band started as a group of high school pals—Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums)—jamming under names like The Noble Five and My Backyard. They settled on “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1968, a playful jab at their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who hassled them for their long hair. The band honed their sound in small venues across Florida and Georgia, blending blues, country, and rock. By 1972, they’d added keyboardist Billy Powell and bassist Leon Wilkeson, though Wilkeson briefly left before their debut album, with ex-Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King stepping in on bass. Discovered by producer Al Kooper at an Atlanta gig, they signed with MCA Records, and Kooper produced (pronounced ’lĕh‐’nérd ’skin‐’nérd), released August 13, 1973. The album, featuring “Free Bird,” went gold, and their opening slot on The Who’s 1973 Quadrophenia tour skyrocketed their fame, cementing their triple-guitar Southern rock legacy.

Tragically, a 1977 plane crash killed Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and others, halting the band’s rise. They disbanded but reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant as frontman, earning a 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. The last original member, Gary Rossington, passed in March 2023, but the band continues to tour. You can keep up with them on their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or Zoo Freaks looking to connect, can dive into communities like the Lynyrd Skynyrd Fan Group on Facebook or check out fan sites like Lynyrd Skynyrd History for deep dives into the band’s legacy. So, crank up “Free Bird,” and let those guitars soar!