In the 90’s I was at a Neil Young show in Atlanta when the inevitable for the era cry for “FREEBIRD!” came from someone in the crowd between songs. Loudly enough and often enough that Neil finally addressed it by giving the guy some poo, in which he said “Those guys are dead!”
A shout came from down front “No I’m not!”
Rossington was in the audience! He and Neil (from the stage) chatted briefly, then the show resumed. But it was a really funny moment.
I used to shout “Freebird!” at metal and punk concerts to have a little fun. I’ll have to resurrect that again at upcoming gigs if the timing and mood are right for it.
A friend of mine was in a very modest band and when someone would inevitably shout “Freebird”, he’d extend his middle finger and should back “No charge!”.
Wow! What a story. I wish I could have been there.
I was at a concert in Miami the nite Freebird crashed, and Neil Young was on stage when they announced it. I believe it was Neil Young’s birthday that nite. The crowd kept crying for Neil to sing “Southern Man” and he refused to sing the song. At the end he played an amazing version of “Sweet Home Alabama” in tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd, and everyone sang along with him til the end.