One of the great Southern Rock bands performing their classic, Freebird, in 1977 in Oakland.
Early on, their manager put them in a small Georgia town, Macon, a place with few distractions to work on their act. He arranged for a meat and three restaurant within walking distance from their house to feed them three squares a day.
The keyboardist, Billy Powell, had been a roadie with the band for two years. During a break at one event, Powell sat down at a piano and played a song. When the band realized their roadie’s ability, he was offered the position of keyboardist.
Notice the fresh faced Little Darlings at the fence line. How long do you imagine the band would stay alive if they were dropped into their midst?
What song is it you wanna hear?
FREEBIRD!
I heard it that time!
Not just a, but THE, definitive Southern Rock band. Opening riff to Sweet Home Alabama was something every rookie guitar player aspired to learn.
I debated on which article to use. This morning I goggled and one fan survey has them #1 with the Allman Bros second. The same study has ZZ Top in third place. [They are a little ‘ol band from Texas. I think Dusty said that] I put the Allman Bros. and Lynard Skynard as equals. I don’t want to leave .38 Special out as they sounded more like ARS than the ARS.
Turn It Up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrmWFjnAP2E
Skynard in my view was purest southern kick-ass rock. Allman Bros definitely close but I’d probably slide The Outlaws or Marshall Tucker Band into number three. ZZ Top was unique but I always considered more hard rock/blues than pure southern rock. Would put the Eagles up there until Bernie Leadon left.
Can’t think of ZZ Top without recalling the line “they have a lot of nice girls out there.
Have mercy!