Workin’ For MCA (Live in Dallas 1987)

The song "Workin’ For MCA," particularly the live version from Dallas in 1987 by Lynyrd Skynyrd, carries a raw energy that captures the band’s triumphant return. This track, originally from their 1974 album Second Helping, is an autobiographical jab at their record label, MCA, and the music industry’s hustle. The "Yankee Slicker" in the lyrics refers to producer Al Kooper, who signed the band for $9,000, a detail Ronnie Van Zant cheekily immortalized. In a 1974 interview with Rolling Stone, Van Zant said the song was less about bitterness and more about owning their journey, with a Southern grin to boot. The Dallas performance, part of the 1987 Tribute Tour, was a statement—Johnny Van Zant, stepping in for his late brother Ronnie, belted it with defiance, as noted by bassist Leon Wilkeson in a 1988 radio interview, where he called it “our middle finger to doubt.” Fans on Reddit’s Lynyrd Skynyrd community often cite this live cut as a favorite for its blistering guitar work and crowd-roaring vibe, with one user in 2023 calling it “the sound of Skynyrd reborn.”

Another tidbit comes from guitarist Gary Rossington, who shared in a 1990s documentary that the song’s opening riff was born from jamming in a Jacksonville garage, meant to mimic the grind of their early bar gigs. The 1987 Dallas show, available on platforms like YouTube, showcases Ed King, Rossington, and Randall Hall trading licks in a way that felt like a nod to the original lineup’s grit. A lesser-known story from Al Kooper’s memoir Backstage Passes describes the Second Helping sessions at the Record Plant in LA, where the band, starstruck by John Lennon’s surprise visit, flubbed takes of “Workin’ For MCA” until they settled their nerves. On X, fans still post clips of the Dallas performance, with one 2024 post praising Johnny’s vocal swagger as “carrying Ronnie’s torch without copying him.”

Lynyrd Skynyrd started in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 as a scrappy outfit called My Backyard. Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Larry Junstrom, and Bob Burns were just teens, playing covers in garages and local dives. They cycled through names like The Noble Five before settling on Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968, a sarcastic nod to their high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner, who hated long hair. By the early 1970s, they were grinding out gigs across the South, honing a bluesy, triple-guitar sound that fused rock, country, and rebellion. Their big break came in 1972 when Al Kooper caught them at an Atlanta bar and signed them to MCA. Their 1973 debut, Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd, with hits like “Free Bird,” put Southern rock on the map. Despite tragedy—a 1977 plane crash that killed Ronnie, Steve Gaines, and others—the band reformed in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant, carrying the legacy forward.

You can keep up with Lynyrd Skynyrd on their official website, where they post tour dates and merch. They’re active on Facebook, sharing throwback photos and fan tributes, and Instagram, with behind-the-scenes tour shots. On X, they engage with fans, often retweeting posts about classic tracks like “Workin’ For MCA.” For fan communities, check out Lynyrd Skynyrd Merch for bio details and gear, or join the Lynyrd Skynyrd Nation Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and debate the best live cuts. The r/LynyrdSkynyrd subreddit is another spot for diehards, with threads on everything from Dallas ’87 to rare vinyl finds.