Southern Spirit

LYNYRD SKYNYRD BRINGS THEIR SINGULAR SOUND AND SOUTHERN SOUL TO THE TANGLEWOOD STAGE

By Benjamin Lerner

Photos Courtesy of Lynyrd Skynyrd

Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd will bring their iconic sound to the Berkshires on Saturday, August 30, making this their debut at Tanglewood in their six-decade musical journey. The performance comes on the heels of another major milestone: the June 27 release of their new live album and video, Celebrating 50 Years: Live at the Ryman, which captures their electrifying 2022 show at Nashville's legendary Ryman Auditorium. The performance showcased Lynyrd Skynyrd’s indefatigable musicianship with a phenomenal lineup of chart-topping hits that spanned the entirety of their catalog. The show was bolstered by several star-studded live collaborations, which included special guests such as Grammy®-nominated country star Jelly Roll, celebrated rock singer Brent Smith of Shinedown, and viral singer-songwriter Marcus King. More importantly, it marked the final live appearance of one of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s founding guitarists, Gary Rossington, who passed away shortly thereafter in 2023. 

Rossington's presence looms large throughout the album, and his legacy, along with that of other departed founding Lynyrd Skynyrd members, such as Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, and Steve Gaines, continues to fuel and influence the band's energy and spirit. To Skynyrd fans around the world, the Ryman concert has become more than a show—it serves as a multigenerational celebration of Southern rock and the cultural impact of Lynyrd Skynyrd. From the anthemic strains of "Free Bird" and “Sweet Home Alabama” to heartfelt renditions of "Simple Man" with Brent Smith and "Tuesday's Gone" with Jelly Roll, the album beautifully exemplifies the band’s enduring legacy. 

In the weeks leading up to the Tanglewood show, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lead singer, Johnny Van Zant, spoke with me about the new live album, the band’s legacy, his faith, and the future of Lynyrd Skynyrd. After taking the reins as lead singer ten years after the tragic 1977 plane crash that claimed the lives of several founding members, including Johnny’s brother, Ronnie Van Zant, he has made it his life’s mission to carry the torch of the beloved band forward. In doing so, Johnny Van Zant honors the life and artistry of his late brother and his bandmates and continues to touch the hearts of fans around the world with every note he sings onstage.

On the new live album and continuing Lynyrd Skynyrd's legacy:

“Looking back on that night at the Ryman, man, it was just a great, great night. If I live to be 100 years old, I'm going to remember it forever. And the most amazing thing is, we didn’t know it would be Gary's last performance with us. We wanted to bring it to the fans because they deserve to see it. There was no pressure there, just us doing what we love. Our guests—Marcus King, Brent Smith, Jelly Roll, my brother Donnie—it was just a smooth night. Gary said before he passed, 'Man, I don’t want this music to go away.' And that’s why we keep doing what we do. I never got into Skynyrd to play new stuff—I got into Skynyrd to carry on the legacy of what Ronnie and Gary and Allen [Collins] built. I think it’s been my calling to do that.”

On the intersection of faith and music:

“I’m a spiritual guy. I’ve been through it all—the dark places, and I’ve seen the light. My dad was deep into the Bible; he could’ve been a preacher. That faith in Jesus has carried me, and I pray before every show. When you’re hurting and when you’re struggling, faith is what gets you through. God tests you, but if you keep your faith, you’ll hear the right voice in your ear. I lost my oldest daughter seven years ago, and getting through that took every ounce of faith I had. But I believe I’ll see her again. Faith isn’t just a thing you talk about; it’s something you hold onto in the darkest times. That’s why music like 'Simple Man' and 'Tuesday’s Gone' feels spiritual to me. It’s all connected.”

On collaboration, Jelly Roll, Shinedown, and the future of Lynyrd Skynyrd:

“With Jelly Roll, our manager said, 'Check this guy out.' I watched a video and said, 'Holy crap—I love this guy!' When we first met him, he walked in nervous as hell, but he was glowing. You could tell how much it meant to him. And he nailed it. It was right as his first big single was hitting the charts. I’m so proud of what he’s done and all of his success. With Brent Smith from Shinedown, I always loved their version of 'Simple Man.' I remember getting a call asking if they could play it at a show with us, and I said, 'Of course.' So, when it came time for the Ryman, we reached out, and he was all in. These guys are proof of the impact that Skynyrd’s music continues to have—and we might still have some music left to record and share. There are songs that Gary [Rossington], Rickey [Medlocke], and I have recorded that haven’t seen the light of day yet, and I’d love to record them. But right now, it’s all about getting out there and keeping this music alive for the fans. We just played a show where I looked out and saw people from ages four to eighty singing every word. That’s powerful."

On Tanglewood and the magic of live performance:

"Tanglewood is such a historic venue, man. It feels kind of like when we played Radio City Music Hall years ago—you walk in and go, 'Really? Us?' But we rocked it. I love turning places like that into Skynyrd shows. It doesn’t matter where we are—we’re going to bring the party. The stage is a sacred place for me. I talk to my brother Ronnie and the rest of the guys [from the original Skynyrd lineup] before every show. I say, 'Hey boys, we need your help tonight.' We feel their spirit with us. Every time we go out there, we’re honoring them, and we’re sharing that energy with the people who need it."