CMT Music Awards Honours Lynyrd Skynyrd

50 Years of Lynyrd Skynyrd

In 1973 Lynyrd Skynyrd released their debut album. ‘(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)’, featuring songs such as ‘Gimme Three Steps’, ‘Simple Man’ and ‘Free Bird’ was nothing short of a music scene revelation. Certified gold just one year after release before going double platinum some years later the songs they wrote are still inspiring today. 50 years on and the Country Music Television awards honoured Skynyrd with a supercharged, supergroup of musicians performing their infamous songs. Led by Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, the guitarist was joined onstage by Billy Gibbons, Cody Johnson, LeAnn Rimes, Warren Haynes, Chuck Leavell, Paul Rodgers and Wynonna Judd.

None other than Peter Frampton introduced the performance, holding his heart out to Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder, Gary Rossington who recently passed away in March. Frampton stated that his ‘dear friend’, “not only helped define the band’s sound but inspired musicians everywhere”. He followed on, respectfully remarking that Rossington had now joined his bandmates in “rock and roll heaven”.

The supergroup then took to the stage to perform two of Skynyrd’s biggest hits, ‘Simple Man’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. Rodgers and Johnson sang lead whilst Rimes and Judd brought their southern soul to the backing vocals. The singing quartet had all the heart of Skynyrd and harmonising perfection of The Honkettes, who famously sung backing vocals for the band. With Gibbons and Slash holding strong as the six string bow of this ship, the rest of the musicians all fell into formation. A sight to behold and a memory well worth giving recognition to.

 

Current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd were in attendance. Johnny Van Zant and Ricky Medlock were there as well as Rossington’s wife Dale Krantz Rossington who was seen cheering on the performance.