Tuesday’s Gone

Zoo Freaks, get ready to ride the train with the Zoo Crew as we spin the soulful sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday’s Gone" from their debut album, (pronounced ’lĕh‐’nérd ’skin‐’nérd). This track, written by frontman Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Allen Collins, captures the bittersweet feeling of leaving home after the band signed with MCA Records, reflecting the changes that came with their rising fame. According to Genius, the song’s lyrics were inspired by the grueling touring schedule that pulled Van Zant away from his loved ones, with the “train” symbolizing the relentless road life. The haunting Mellotron intro, played by producer Al Kooper, sets the mood, blending Southern rock with a bluesy, almost otherworldly vibe that fans on Songfacts describe as “indescribable” and “like it’s from some place we’ve never been.”

Here’s a wild piece of trivia for you Zoo Freaks: after the September 11th attacks, media giant Clear Channel controversially included "Tuesday’s Gone" on a list of songs to avoid on their radio stations, as noted on Phish.net. Why? The song’s themes of loss and departure were deemed too heavy for the moment. Yet, that didn’t stop Phish from covering it in 1999 with guitarist Scott Murawski for a Tuesday night encore in Massachusetts, flipping a metaphorical middle finger to the ban. Metallica also paid homage with a killer cover on their Garage Inc. album, praised by fans on Reddit for staying true to the original’s spirit. And let’s not forget its iconic use in the film Dazed and Confused, where it underscores the bittersweet end of a wild night at the moontower, as one fan shared on Songfacts.

Another gem comes from a Powerpop blog post by Badfinger (Max), who ranks "Tuesday’s Gone" above even "Free Bird," noting its British crunch rock vibe akin to The Rolling Stones or Free. He highlights how Van Zant’s deceptively simple lyrics hit hard, a sentiment echoed by Al Kooper himself, who called Skynyrd one of the best-arranged bands he ever produced. Kooper, credited as “Roosevelt Gook,” not only played bass and Mellotron but also signed the band, as Max points out. The song’s live power was captured at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium in 2022, when Lynyrd Skynyrd performed it with Jelly Roll for Gary Rossington’s final show, now part of their Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman release, as shared on BraveWords.

Now, let’s rewind to how Lynyrd Skynyrd got their start. Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 as My Backyard, the band was a group of high school pals: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). They honed their craft playing local gigs, changing their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969, a nod to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who wasn’t a fan of their long hair. By 1973, when they dropped (pronounced ’lĕh‐’nérd ’skin‐’nérd), the lineup included Leon Wilkeson (bass), Billy Powell (keys), and Ed King (guitar), with Al Kooper producing. Their mix of blues, country, and hard rock exploded with hits like "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama," earning them a spot on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists list. Despite tragedies, including the 1977 plane crash that killed Van Zant and others, the band reformed in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant and continues to tour, as detailed on Lynyrd Skynyrd History.

Connect with Lynyrd Skynyrd and their legacy online. Their official website, lynyrdskynyrd.com, has tour dates, merch, and news about their 50th-anniversary projects. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and behind-the-scenes vibes. Fans can dive deeper at Lynyrd Skynyrd History, a treasure trove of photos, stories, and memorabilia. Join the Lynyrd Skynyrd Nation Facebook group to swap stories with fellow Skynyrd diehards, or check out Tuesday’s Gone, a tribute band endorsed by the Van Zant family, for a taste of the classic Skynyrd sound. Keep rockin’, Zoo Freaks!