Lynyrd Skynyrd and the music live on

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

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.”

 

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 50^th 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.

New Music: The Zombies, Peter Case, The New Pornographers

The long-awaited return from The Zombies as well as new releases from acclaimed singer-songwriter Peter Case and indie rock heroes The New Pornographers make for an especially strong field of essential new albums released on March 31, 2023.  

Artist: The Zombies

Title: Different Game (Cooking Vinyl)

You might like if you enjoy: The Zombies, Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent

Tell me more: The Zombies have returned with the magnificent Different Game, the groundbreaking British band's first new studio album since 2015's Still Got That Hunger. Delayed by the arrival of the global pandemic — the band members had decided from the beginning of the process in 2019 after their well-deserved induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that they would record the songs together to capture the energy of their legendary live performances — Different Game continues to find the quintet conjuring up the magic of their past performances while embracing the future. The 10-track album's stellar track listing spans from the opening title track (a gorgeous Baroque pop gem that includes a lush instrumental finale), jazzy "Dropped Reeling & Stupid" (the latter bolstered by a particularly sophisticated organ solo from Rod Argent that segues into a marvelous turn showcasing guitarist Tom Toomey), the lovely ballad "You Could Be My Love" featuring Colin Blunstone's amazing tenor vocals and sumptuous rocker "Merry-Go-Round." Other standouts include the shimmering "Love You," the rousing blues-rocker "Got To Move On" and tender closer "The Sun Will Rise Again." The work of the Q Strings quartet (Laura Stanford, Ellie Stanford, Amy Stanford and Jess Cox) adds magic across the marvelous disc, notably on the aforementioned title track and "I Want To Fly," the latter where they provide the full accompaniment for Blunstone. Information: thezombiesmusic.com.

Artist: Peter Case

Title: Doctor Moan (Sunset Blvd. Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Warren Zevon, The Waterboys, Dr. John

Tell me more: Peter Case is back. The legendary singer-songwriter's 16th solo album Doctor Moan finds the top-tier artist tackling original material anchored by his piano playing — this is a departure from Case fronting modern rock favorites The Plimsouls in the late 1970s and '80s and subsequent solo career marked by more guitar-focused material. To be sure the 11-track Doctor Moan is a rich tapestry that serves the New York native's literate and compelling songcraft fully at every turn. Standouts abound on the 11-track disc; the uptempo jazz-tinged "Downtown Nowhere's Blues," absolutely beautiful "Eyes of Love," Dr. John-flavored "The Flying Crow" and reflective "Girl In Love With A Shadow"; "Wandering Days" is the lone guitar-anchored track and the breezy cut is another highlight on the album. In addition to his outstanding piano and acoustic guitar work, Case utilizes harmonica (in spades on the bluesy "Give Me Five Minutes More") and mellotron; the album also features the talents of Jonny Flaugher on electric and acoustic base, and Chris Joyner on B-3 organ. Information: PeterCase.com.

Artist: The New Pornographers

Title: Continue as a Guest (Merge Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, Beck, Gorillaz

Tell me more: The New Pornographers have returned with another batch of far-flung and stellar songs, proving ambition and evolution works wonders for the Canadian collective. Bandleader A.C. Newman along with Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancy, John Collins and Joe Seiders are exploring new sonic territory across their ninth studio album, having added a bit of rawness to their well-known melodic pop sheen (just listen to the urgent "Pontius Pilate's Home Movies"). The challenges of recording during the pandemic may have elevated the magic here; just listen to the soaring "Bottle Episodes," probing experimental-tinged title track, sweeping "Really Really Light," opulent "Marie And The Undersea" and genre-defying "Cat And Mouse With The Light." Information: TheNewPornographers.com.

Robert Kinsler

Arizona festival Pure Imagination announces 2023 lineup additions, Los Lobos and Dirtwire

Check out the latest news on the forthcoming Pure Imagination festival coming to Prescott, Arizona on May 20. Great to see the legendary rock troupe Los Lobos and experimental electronica outfit Dirtwire added to the bill...Robert Kinsler 

David Hidalgo of Los Lobos.
Photo credit: Daryl Weisser

Cesar Rosas of Los Lobos.
Photo credit: Daryl Weisser

PURE IMAGINATION FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES 2023 LINE-UP ADDITIONS

LOS LOBOS + DIRTWIRE

Legendary rock band Los Lobos will be appearing at Pure Imagination in Prescott, Arizona on May 20, 2023. Photo credit: Daryl Weisser   Lucinda Williams will bring her top-tier songcraft to the Pure Imagination festival. Photo credit: Daryl Weisser

ZIGGY MARLEY, LUCINDA WILLIAMS AND HER BAND, CAPITAL CITIES, ALLISON RUSSELL, NAPPY ROOTS, BRANDY CLARK AND OTHERS ALSO SET TO PERFORM

ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH KEEP NATURE WILD Los Angeles, CA (March 29, 2023) – The organizers of Pure Imagination – the female led and curated, environmentally forward, all-ages destination festival taking place on May 20th in Prescott, AZ – are thrilled to announce the addition of two acts to the already fantastic line-up for its sophomore edition: Los Lobos and Dirtwire.   Los Lobos: For all the trailblazing musical acts who've emerged from Los Angeles, very few embody the city's wildly eclectic spirit more wholeheartedly than Los Lobos. Over the last five decades, the East L.A.-bred band has made an indelible mark on music history by exploring an enormous diversity of genres -- rock-and-roll and R&B, surf music and soul, mariachi and música norteña, punk rock and country -- and building a boldly unpredictable sound all their own.   Dirtwire: Hailing from the underground, west coast, electronic, bass music scene, Dirtwire finds itself at the forefront of experimental electronic music production mixing in their wide array of world instruments with sampled beats and 808’s. Dirtwire’s live shows are a communal psychedelic journey, ranging from down home boot stomping get downs, to bass and blues electronic mashups, to ethereal cinematic beat driven soundscapes. Woven into each is the exploration of where live instruments meet computer production, and where tradition meets experimentation. Los Lobos Dirtwire Additionally, the festival has announced a partnership with the Arizona-based, eco-conscious apparel company Keep Nature Wild, which also hosts nationwide community cleanups. The company will be doing the site clean-up on the day after the festival. Their dedicated “Wild Keeper Ambassadors” spend time every month tidying up their communities. Together, they pick up one pound of trash for every product sold.   This month, in anticipation of the company achieving their goal of picking up 1,000,000 pounds of trash and in celebration of Earth Day, Pure Imagination will be participating in a community trash pick-up campaign to help Keep Nature Wild with their initiative.   Jared James Nichols will perform at Pure Imagination. Photo credit: Robert Kinsler Situated in the 19th century, historic, old-west town of Prescott, AZ, just an hour and a half away from both Phoenix and Flagstaff, this year’s intimate event also boasts performances from 8x Grammy winner and reggae icon Ziggy Marley, the legendary Grammy winning singer-songwriter and soon-to-be published memoirist Lucinda Williams and her band, recent 4x Grammy nominated Allison Russell, beloved Southern hip-hop group Nappy Roots, Grammy nominee Brandy Clark, alternative radio favorites Capital Cities, as well as Jared James Nichols, The Brummies, Johan Glidden, and Ponderosa Grove, the Grammy nominated frontwoman of which, Candace Devine, founded Pure Imagination. Passes to the family-friendly event can be purchased HERE.   PURCHASE PASSES TO PURE IMAGINATION HERE   Pure Imagination 2023 Line-Up Ziggy Marley Lucinda Williams and her band Los Lobos Capital Cities Allison Russell Nappy Roots Brandy Clark Dirtwire Ponderosa Grove Jared James Nichols The Brummies Johan Glidden The all encompassing experience features an eclectic lineup as diverse and exciting as the landscape where it’s taking place. Located on Watson Lake Park, featuring the breathtaking setting and granite dells of Prescott National Forest – the traditional Yavapai land belonging to The Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, The Yavapai-Apache Nation and The Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe – the festival is just minutes away from historic Prescott, Arizona. The grounds offer festival-goers miles of hiking trails, on-site lawn games and frisbee golf, twenty food trucks, as well as kayaking. Prescott's picturesque downtown is replete with serious old west vibes — in fact, The Palace, where the Earp Brothers and Doc Holliday used to get a drink, is still a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike.   Pure Imagination saw its inaugural festival in 2022, where the stage was graced by folk rock band Dawes, hip hop icon, Talib Kweli, three time Grammy winner Fantastic Negrito, Nikki Lane, Rising Appalachia, Phantom Planet, Katie Pruitt and more. This eclectic line-up brought over 5,000 music fans to the field to enjoy Prescott's always perfect weather with a day packed with performances by aerial artists, performance groups, jugglers, art cars and plenty of revelry for everyone. Many of the same experiences are returning to the festival grounds this year. Details below. “Art Ally” featuring live painters and projection art, art cars, interactive exhibits and installations The Hopi Water Clan Dance Troupe Play area, bubble joy, face painting, kids talent show, kiddie jam zone, compost trash lessons and more. Kids 7 and under are free! Aerialists, stilt walkers, dance exhibitions and more! Lounge spaces throughout the grounds VIP camp experience packages by Noam VIP lounge with installations by Buckey's Casino Catered snacks and food by El Gato Azul Beauty bar by Desert Rose Retreat Giant field games The festival has been the work of Candace Devine, frontwoman of Ponderosa Grove and CEO of Further West, the company that produces Pure Imagination Festival. Devine started the festival out as part of a desire to see Prescott rise as an epicenter for arts, culture and music in the Southwest. The town itself is surrounded by the Prescott National Forest which offers 1.25 million acres of natural, rugged beauty and is a top destination for mountain biking, hiking and bouldering. "Pure Imagination has been a dream of mine for a long time and it was amazing to see everyone that came forward last year in support of music and the arts for this very treasured and unique experience. We have a spectacular line-up this year and we can't wait to astonish everyone with a day of magic and music that holds a vibrant loving community of people at the center of all of it," said Devine.   The festival will donate a portion of its proceeds to: Flying Horse Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to supporting arts and music in multicultural spaces. Flying Horse Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3). Connect with Pure Imagination: Facebook | Instagram | Website