For Lynyrd Skynyrd, time is now

jax.com ^ | September 19, 2004 | MARK WOODS

[stainlessbanner]

Nobody seems to know much about the "1,000 rock experts" who decide who gets into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

This much we do know: They haven't listened to Lynyrd Skynyrd. I mean, really listened. Not just heard a few familiar notes of Freebird or Sweet Home Alabama, pictured rebel flags and Trans Ams, and voted for other bands.

They haven't looked at old footage of packed stadiums. Not just in the South. All over the country.

They haven't paid attention to what a wide range of musicians -- from Hank Williams Jr. to Neil Young (yes, Neil Young) -- have said about Skynyrd's music.

......

Six nominations. No induction.

Eric Verona wants to make sure the seventh time is different. Verona, 38, isn't a voter. He's a fan. He has started an online drive at RockTheHall.com, hoping to push Skynyrd into the Hall. He did the same last year for Bob Seger. And it worked, helping to get Seger into the Class of 2004.

.........

But, let's face it, voters hear Skynyrd and think Southern rock, emphasis on Southern. And although you would think helping to create a genre would be a reason to put a band in the Hall of Fame, in this case it has the opposite effect. And it's a shame. The voters are doing exactly what they accuse Southerners of doing -- stereotyping.

Ronnie Van Zant sang about a lot of things, some that might surprise those who paint a simplistic image of the band. Saturday Night Special is a song about getting rid of handguns. The Ballad to Curtis Loew is a song about a friendship with an old black man.

......

[TheBigB]

Hey, I could listen to my NR Greatest Hits CD (yep, I have it) over and over. Diff'rent strokes...

[RetiredArmy]

Man, when that plane went down, my group went down. I miss ole Ronnie Van Zant. He could cut a rug!!! "Hot as a fox in a forest fire!" Being from Bama, Sweet Home Alabama is my song. Plus the group Alabama cut: My Home's In Alabama. Two nice songs!

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

How's about Blackfoot?

The only song I can think of by Blackfoot is "Train, Train".

[Egregious Philbin]

"I hope Neil Young will remember, a southern man don't need him around anyhow."

You know the story about that line? They put it in because of Young's "Southern Man." I saw a photo of Skynyrd with the lead singer wearing a Neil Young shirt. Didn't make any sense to me. Apparently Young told the band that he thought "Sweet Home Alabama" was much better than his song, and the band admitted they were fans of his stuff too.

How Seger got in before them, i'll never understand. They definitely deserve it. They're the quintessential Southern rock band.

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

I've never heard that one before. I'll have to see if I can find it.

[Finalapproach29er]

"...you can still rock in A-mer-i-ca..."

[stainlessbanner]

There are a lot of bands that pump out great music, but it seems dated. Skynyrd is timeless - Vicious Cycle is actually my favorite new CD.

TBB: I caught some flack for admitted I liked Lightfoot's Wreck of E. Fitzgerald....guess it's your turn for Night Ranger!

[Fierce Allegiance]

I may think it's cheesey, but that doesn't mean I don't crank it up when I am driving alone.

With Skynyrd, no matter who is around, I always "Turn it up!"

[Tallguy]

Looking over that list of inductees just shot down one of my theories (that Lynyrd Skynyrd didn't have enough 'longevity' with the original lineup). There appears to be a lot of short-lived acts that got into the Hall.

[TheBigB]

I like me some Skynyrd--try growing up in Alabama and NOT liking them--but I enjoy NR more. Just 'cause I came of age in the 80s, I guess.

I listened to "Rick Springfield's Greatest hits" on the way in to work this morning. :-)

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

"Flirtin' With Disaster" was my theme song when I was a teenager. :-)

[SilentServiceCPOWife]

I never got to see them. My mother refused to let me go to concerts when I was young. I loved DJB though.

[all4one]

Nice thread. My husband and I have very eclectic tastes in music. Classical, hard rock, classic rock, even (gasp) 80's new wave; and everything in between.

So imagine my delight when my 6 year-old son (who is learning to play piano) when asked what is his favorite song that he wants to learn how to play....his answer is "Sweet Home Alabama"!!

[leadpencil1]

My wife kills me about it, but I still like to listen to just about every Skynyrd song ever recorded. I'd have to say they are my all time favorite band. I still can't get enough southern rock.

By the way, did you know Ronnie was heavily influenced by Paul Rogers and Bad Company? Also, Ronnie was almost as much of a control freak as Fogerty from CCR. I guess he really tried to control almost every note on their recordings. Not complaining because it all turned out foot stompin' good.

[Charles Martel]

It's absurd that Lynyrd Skynrd wouldn't be in that. They were huge, rivaled only by Led Zepelin in their day.

At Knebworth in '76, when the Rolling Stones were at their zenith, Skynyrd blew them right off the stage. Of course they deserve to be in the HoF.

[A Navy Vet]

"My favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd song is Simple Man."

They do a nice video tribute during that song for the recently departed base player on the The Vicious Cycle Tour DVD.

Better yet, the moving background video of our troops around the world while Red, White, and Blue is playing on the Live From Steeltown DVD.

[TheBigB]

Feel the power! :-)

[lugsoul]

If titles are your thang, DBT has one called "Pizza Deliverance." But my favorite of their titles is "Alabama Ass-Whuppin'".

[5Madman2]

It would be even shorter if they included the tunes that required talent

[A Navy Vet]

"...Vicious Cycle is actually my favorite new CD."

That and Voodoo Lounge are kick-rear CD's. I don't understand why they don't get any air time. Skynard fans are really missing out if they haven't heard these two CD's.

Triva note: Only 3 originals left now - Rossington, Powell, and Dale Kravantz (sp) who sang lead for the Rossington Collins Band.