What’s Your Name

The song What's Your Name by Lynyrd Skynyrd, featured on their 1977 album Street Survivors, captures the wild, chaotic life of a touring band. Written by lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Gary Rossington while in Miami with producer Tom Dowd and guitarist Steve Cropper, the song's lyrics draw from a real incident. One verse references a brawl involving the band's roadie, Craig Reed, at a hotel bar, though the song playfully sets the scene in Boise, Idaho. This was a nod to Ronnie's brother Donnie, whose band 38 Special was kicking off a tour in Boise, making it a private joke between the brothers. The song, a top-20 hit peaking at No. 13 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, paints a vivid picture of life on the road, complete with groupies and champagne-fueled parties.

Another layer of trivia comes from the song's music video, released after the tragic 1977 plane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and others. The video features Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's younger brother, leading a reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert, likely at the Pensacola Civic Center. It includes behind-the-scenes glimpses of the road crew, band members tuning instruments, and signing autographs, ending with a poignant tribute: Ronnie's signature "High Roller" hat placed atop a microphone stand. The song's enduring appeal is evident in its inclusion in the 2018 live album Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour Lyve!, recorded in Jacksonville, Florida, showcasing the band's electrifying guitar interplay between Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke.

Lynyrd Skynyrd began in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, when high school friends Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed a band initially called My Backyard. They later added bassist Leon Wilkeson, keyboardist Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns, adopting the name Lynyrd Skynyrd as a tongue-in-cheek jab at their gym teacher, Leonard Skinner, who disapproved of long hair. Playing gigs across the South, they honed their triple-guitar sound, blending Southern rock with a gritty, working-class ethos. Their big break came in 1972 when producer Al Kooper signed them to MCA Records after spotting them at Funocchio's club in Atlanta. Their 1973 debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, featured Free Bird, a tribute to Duane Allman, which skyrocketed their fame after opening for The Who on their 1973 Quadrophenia tour.

The band's official website is lynyrdskynyrd.com, where fans can find tour dates, merchandise, and news about their ongoing legacy, including the 2023 Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour with ZZ Top. Their Facebook page, with over 2 million followers, shares updates and tributes to late members like Gary Rossington, who passed in 2023. On Instagram, they post nostalgic photos and tour highlights, while their X account engages fans with real-time updates and song polls. Fan communities thrive online, notably the StreetSurvivors Facebook page, dedicated to a tribute band offering a "Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience," and the official Street Survivors tribute band website, celebrating the band's enduring influence.