I last saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert in May 2022 (read my review of that memorable concert HERE). One of my most notable concert experiences was seeing Gary Rossington perform with members of Blue Öyster Cult, Van Halen and others at the NAMM Show in 2015 (read my review of that event HERE). Check out today's official announcement that Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd plan to continue touring...Robert Kinsler
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| From left, guitarists Mark Matejka, Rickey Medlocke, Damon Johnson and bassist Keith Christopher. Also seen are backing vocalists Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle performing in May 2022. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Lynyrd Skynyrd announces plans to continue on following passing of Gary Rossington
After the recent death of original founding member Gary Rossington, the Lynyrd Skynyrd band members and estates have been in discussion on what was next for the group and the music that is celebrating 50 years of generational history in American Rock and Roll. The current members, led by Johnny Van Zant, the singer for the past 36 years, was unsure if they would continue following Gary’s untimely passing. After much discussion with the band, the families of Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins, and Dale Rossington, the collective has reached unified support, and feel that continuing to perform LIVE, and keeping the music alive, is in the best interest of the fans and everyone involved.
Rickey Medlocke, Robert Randolph, Gary Rossington and Michael Anthony
perform at the 2015 National Association of Music Merchants show at
the Anaheim Convention Center on January 22, 2015 in Anaheim, CA.
(Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAMM)
Dale Rossington shares, “I recently lost my husband and partner of over 41 years. He was an amazing father, grandfather, brother and friend, but most importantly was a world class musician and songwriter. It’s been my honor and privilege to share the stage with him for all these years. His music touched so many millions of people around The World, and Gary was always the first to say how, ‘Skynyrd’s music is bigger than me or any one person.’ Gary made it known at every chance to express how timeless the music was, and it was always his goal to keep the music alive for his brothers because that was always their dream. He spent his entire life trying to carry on that dream for Ronnie, Allen, Steve and all the others over the years. While he was not able to physically be on stage with the current lineup over the last couple years, he supported them in every way. His dream will continue thanks to Johnny, Rickey and the rest of our band mates to continue to carry his legacy and music on for future generations.”
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| Johnny Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing in May 2022. Photo credit: Bob Steshetz |
Johnny Van Zant adds, “Gary was not only my brother, bandmate and friend. I think he loved me as much as I loved him. We would do anything for each other. We laughed, we fell, we cried and made up, and shared the stage for the last 36 years. Gary, along with my brother Ronnie and Allen started this band and left us all a legacy of music that has stood the test of time, and crossed three generations of fans. The music they created, and the music we created, together since 1987, was always meant to be experienced LIVE. We have come together with the founding band member estates, and everyone involved, and feel the music should continue for everyone to love and enjoy. So we will continue to perform for the Skynyrd Nation.”
Judy Van Zant Jenness adds, “Lynyrd Skynyrd has been a part of my life for 50+ years. The journey has been filled with love, joy, friendship and tragedy. Ronnie, Gary and Allen’s dream was to write music that would connect with people and to play that music live. I cannot say with certainty what those who have passed on would want us to do, but I do know what Gary wanted. And I know what the fans want. To show our undying love for those who are no longer with us and to pay tribute to them, the music will continue. The Lynyrd Skynyrd family is unified in this decision.”
In June, Encore will present Lynyrd Skynyrd’s performance filmed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN on November 13, 2022. The concert film captures the final public performance of Gary Rossington, and will be exhibited on big screens in movie theaters across the U.S. It will then be broadcast in August on PBS. The CMT Music Awards presented an all-star tribute live on CBS from Austin’s Moody Center on April 2, honoring original founding member Gary Rossington featuring Billy Gibbons, Chuck Leavell, Cody Johnson, Paul Rodgers, Slash, and Warren Haynes with LeAnn Rimes and Wynonna Judd joining as “The Honkettes.” Recently, Lynyrd Skynyrd was honored by Spotify for reaching the milestone achievement of ONE BILLION Streams for “Sweet Home Alabama.”
The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, the first co-headlining tour featuring ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd will stage performances in twenty-five cities in North America this summer, with special guest Uncle Kracker. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on Friday, July 21 at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, FL, and wraps in Camden, NJ at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on Sunday, September 17. Tickets and VIP packages are available via the band’s site www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/tour. A limited number of VIP Experiences are available.
Confirmed appearances are:
LYNYRD SKYNYRD & ZZ TOP: THE SHARP DRESSED SIMPLE MAN TOUR:
7/21 West Palm Beach, FL iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
7/22 Tampa, FL Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
7/23 Alpharetta, GA Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
7/28 Rogers, AR Walmart AMP
7/29 Fort Worth, TX Dickies Arena
7/30 Woodlands, TX The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ^
8/07 Denver, CO Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre*
8/10 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
8/11 Wheatland, CA Toyota Amphitheatre
8/13 Phoenix, AZ Ak-Chin Pavilion
8/17 Maryland Heights, MO Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MO
8/19 Tinley Park, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre - Chicago, IL
8/20 Noblesville, IN Ruoff Music Center
8/25 Cincinnati, OH Riverbend Music Center
8/26 Clarkston, MI Pine Knob Music Theatre
8/27 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
9/01 Charlotte, NC PNC Music Pavilion
9/02 Columbia, MD Merriweather Post Pavilion
9/03 Burgettstown, PA The Pavilion at Star Lake
9/08 Saratoga Springs, NY Saratoga Performing Arts Center
9/09 Hershey, PA Hersheypark Stadium
9/10 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
9/15 Raleigh, NC Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
9/16 Ocean City, MD Ocean City Bike Fest
9/17 Camden, NJ Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
*Not A Live Nation Date
^ Presented by Huntsman
ADDITIONAL CONFIRMED LYNYRD SKYNYRD APPEARANCES
4/29 Brandon, MS Jubilee Days – Brandon Amphitheater
5/05 West Panama City Beach, FL Thunder Beach at Frank Brown Park
5/19 Bushkill, PA Lost Highway Motorcycle Show & Concert 2023
5/20 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
5/27 Laughlin, NV Laughlin Event Center
6/16 Santa Rosa, CA Country Summer Music Festival
6/17 Del Mar, CA Toyota Summer Concert Series
7/14 Prior Lake, MN Lakefront Music Fest 2023
7/15 West Fargo, ND Red River Valley Fair
8/04 Sweet Home, OR Oregon Jamboree Music Festival 2023
8/06 Sturgis, SD Sturgis Buffalo Chip
Lynyrd Skynyrd will return to Brazil in September.
ABOUT LYNYRD SKYNYRD
As Lynyrd Skynyrd approaches the 50th anniversary of the band’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd’ in 2023, they resonate as deeply with their multi-generational fan base today as when they first emerged out of Jacksonville, Florida in 1973. Few ensembles have had the deep impact in creating a lifestyle as Skynyrd has. The band travels forward with a primary mission of celebrating a legacy that honors all whom have had a resonating contribution to the lives of hundreds of millions of fans globally. Former members Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Ed King, Billy Powell, Bob Burns, Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson alongside others will forever remain significant contributors to this indelible repertoire and the band’s colorful history. Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks on with a current line-up featuring Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle.
The rock and roll powerhouse continually tours, and as Van Zant shares, “It’s about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and what it stands for, what the fans are all about. There’s nothing like getting out there playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music.”
With a catalog of over 60 albums, billions of streams, and tens of millions of records sold, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remain a cultural icon that appeal to all generations.
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