Lynyrd Skynyrd - The South Will Rise Again

Smart Financial Centre

October 5, 2017

Following Molly Hatchet's show October 5th at Smart Financial Centre came the much expected headliners, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Without a doubt, Lynyrd Skynyrd are the epitome of Southern Rock. Lynyrd Skynyrd has had it's share of tragedy and member changes, but here's another band that has remained loyal to their traditional sound. Spearheaded by founding member Gary Rossington, Skynyrd has remained the real constant to a Southern Rock generation of fans. The band was actually formed in 1964 and after a few name changes, they finally decided on Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969. Since then the band has released over 14 albums and sold over 28 million albums.

The band hit the stage with a vengeance kicking off their set with the tongue in cheek hit song, "Workin" For MCA" off their "Second Offering" album. The applause was thunderous. After that, it was just one hit after another.

Lead singer, Johnny Van Zant was fantastic. He still sounds as fresh as he did when he took over the lead vocal duties after the untimely death of his brother Ronnie. Gary Rossington hasn't lost it either. His guitar licks are still as vital today as they were when he recorded these songs. They may have changed a bit over the years, but if anything, they've just gotten better. Augmented by the slick guitar work of Rickey Medlocke, these two proved to be a force to be reckoned with.

Quickly the band launched into the second song of the set, the ever popular "What's Your Name," off the original lineup's last album, "Street Survivors." The fans went crazy. This was definitely a crowd pleaser, but really... every song performed this night was a hit with the audience.

"You Got That Right" followed, and then they performed "Saturday Night Special." Since this song was released on their 1975 album, "Nuthin' Fancy," it has always been one of their most requested songs. Drummer Michael Cartellone really did justice to this song.

Throughout the evening, the band put on a wonderful show. They sounded tighter than ever, and definitely did a great job pleasing the packed house at Smart Financial Centre.

Hit song after hit song followed, "That Smell," "Simple Man," "Gimme Back My Bullets"... The audience went wild with excitement.

They then went back to the "Second Helpin" album and perfomed their bittersweet ballad, "The Needle and The Spoon," their warning about heroin abuse and the problems that insue.

From their they went back to their debut album and pulled out the classic favorite, "Tueday's Gone." Johnny really did a great job of the vocals on this song, singing it with great conviction and feeling.

Nearing the close of their set, they set their sights on their most popular songs and followed up with "Gimme Three Steps," "Call Me The Breeze" and the much anticipated "Sweet Home Alabama" as their closing song. After the finish of "Sweet Home Alabama," the sound was deafening. The audience was worked up into a frenzy and there was only one song left that would satisfy them. As expected, the band returned with their most popular song, the Southern Rock anthem, "Free Bird." This was what the audience was waiting for.

What a night it was. Southern Rock is still alive and well and the names of the bands are Molly Hatchet and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Consensus was that this was without a doubt, one of the best Lynyrd Skynyrd shows we've ever seen. I, just like the other Lynyrd Skynyrd fans that were there just can't wait to see them again. Long live Southern Rock!

Setlist:

1. Workin' For MCA

2. What's Your Name

3. You Got That Right

4. Saturday Night Special

5. That Smell

6. Simple Man

7.Gimme Back My Bullets

8. The Needle And The Spoon

9. Tuesday's Gone

10. Gimme Three Steps

11. Call Me The Breeze

12. Sweet Home Alabama

13. Free Bird (encore)