m,
this is a significant observation for what is is worth. In 1975 people at an event in San Francisco could actually identify with a band from Alabama.
In '76 there was a Day on the Green in Oakland with Skynard and Peter Frampton. Frampton and his bandmates all wore silk kimonos and scarves. Skynard wore jeans, t-shirts, boots and cowboy hats. There was a complete crowd split - Frampton played first, half the crowd slept, partied, mocked and even booed. When they were done though, the WHOLE crowd went crazy for Skynard, who truly kicked @ss. I also heard the two bands didn't like each other either.