Today's classic is a true classic in big letters. The band in question is no less than Lynyrd Skynyrd, the rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tunes "Sweet Home Alabama," and "Free Bird." At the peak of their success, three members died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation.
Surviving members re-formed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant's younger brother Johnny as frontman. A version of the band continues to tour and record, with only Gary Rossington of its original members remaining as of 2012. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.
Todays tune "Simple Man" is taken from the debut album "(Pronounced 'lĕh-'nérd 'skin-'nérd)" released in 1973. Featured songs include "I Ain't the One", "Gimme Three Steps", "Simple Man", "Tuesday's Gone" and "Free Bird", the rock anthem that first brought the band national attention.
Shortly after Ronnie Van Zant's grandmother died, the band got together in Van Zant's apartment and shared stories about their mothers. Rossington came up with a chord progression, and Van Zant wrote the lyrics based on advice the women had given them over the years. They wrote it in approximately an hour. Though the lyrics state, "Sit beside me, my only son," Ronnie was not the only son. He had two younger brothers along with one older sister and one younger sister. However, the song says "when I was young" so his younger brothers may not have been born yet, making him the only son at the time.
The clip is from 1987 Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute tour.
If you got some time over, check this one out...complete concert from Winterland 1975 (High quality).
More info @
Official Lynyrd Skynyrd Web
Listen to ”Lynyrd Skynyrd - Simple Man" on Spotify here!Follow tuneoftheday.blogspot.com on Spotify here!
1 comment:
Skynyrd was one of the first concerts I ever went to and it was great. I will never forget the first time I saw simple man performed live. Made me see them 7 more times including unplugged at the Rhyman. Great post keep up the hard work. Check these out IStillGotMyGuitar.
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