Rock's Oldest Joke: Yelling 'Freebird!' In a Crowded Theater

Wall Street Journal ^ | today | Jason Fry

[Rodney King]

One recent Tuesday night at New York's Bowery Ballroom, the Crimea had just finished its second song. The Welsh quintet's first song had gone over fairly well, the second less so, and singer/guitarist Davey MacManus looked out at the still-gathering crowd.

Then, from somewhere in the darkness came the cry, "Freebird!"

It made this night like so many other rock 'n' roll nights in America.....

[TN4Liberty]

This song is good for memories for me.

The South's Gonna Do It Again - Charlie Daniels

Well the train to Grinder's Switch is runnin' right on time
And the Tucker boys are cookin' down in Caroline
People down in Florida can't be still
When old Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People down in Georgia come from near and far
To hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar

Chorus:
So gather round gather round children
Get down well just get down children
Get loud well you can be loud here and be proud
And you can be proud here now
Be proud you're a rebel
Cause the south's gonna do it again

Elvin Bishop's sittin' on a bale of hay
He ain't good lookin' but he sure can play
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and the CDB

Repeat Chorus

And again........yes it is

[LS]

In my view, almost NO band was better after an original member left---an exception was Deep Purple when Ian Gillian became their singer. But even their original singer (don't recall his name) had a great style. Likewise, "Yes" had a certain sound with Bill Bruford, and while they were different and had great songs with their newer (current) drummer, Bruford gave them something different. Journey was never as good when they lost Greg Rollie, even though I loved many of their songs after that.

Even Cactus, when it lost Rusty Day (good, because he was horrible) also lost Jim McCarty, and while the singer who replaced Day was better, and Duane Hitchings on keyboards was a welcome addition, the guitar player was no McCarty.

BTW, I played with McCarty (who played on "Devil With a Blue Dress On") in FL for three days. Amazing guitar player.

[Mustng959]

Yep, interesting views. Must have been something to play along with people like McCarty.
I'm a guitar player wannabee (at 46 years old). Good ear for music and tone, can read piano music and play along slowly, played trombone in high school, and took a year's worth of lessons on guitar when I was 8 years old.
Just bought a Fender Stratocaster "Satin Strat" and have been plinking the lead parts along with Styx and Charlie Daniels (songs I know pretty much by heart). Got to start learning chords though to enjoy it more.

[visualops]

You can add ACDC to your list, Bon Scott was awesome with a distinctive voice, but you gotta admit Brian Johnson very successfully replaced him.

[killjoy]

I hope Neil Young will remember where he put his lawnmower.

A lawnmower don't need him around anyhow...

[rogue yam]

Last night, in Seattle, I went to see a hard core punk cover band called Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. They played a thrashing version of "Come Sail Away." It rocked, and the kids dug it! It was an all-ages show. I took my thirteen year-old nephew to see it. I am old enough to have seen Styx's Grand Illusion tour. It was fun to see all of these underage kids jumping around and screaming Styx lyrics at the tops of their lungs.

[dalereed]

Was waiting for someone to explain what a freebird was, never heard of it before, of course I dont' listen to music and never have since my parents quit making me play the piano and clarinet 60 years ago.

To me music is irritating and disrupts consentration.

[TheStickman]

Just goes to show a good song is forever. I've been doing the weekend warrior thing from WV to SC and some songs (no matter how tired I am of playing some of them--3 steps, Sweet Home Alabama and Cocaine come to mind), are always going to flick that internal switch which makes people stomp their feet, clap their hands and hold those lighters up in the air.

My band doesn't play Freebird as the drummer would prolly have a heart attack if we did. We do a pretty rockin rendition of Tucker's "Can't You See" and Seger's "Turn the Page" always leaves the crowd screaming for me...which is why we end every night with it:)

[Mustng959]

Good ole Sea-Tac. Was stationed at McChord about 23 years ago. Beautiful country,'cept for the rain.
I missed Styx in their early days in concert...was stationed in Germany when Grand Illusion, Pieces of Eight, and Paradise Theatre hit the concert venues. Styx trivia:
1. They are a Chicago based band but one member is from elsewhere...who and from what state?
2. JY Young is actually a "rocket scientist"..true or false
3. Tommy Shaw made his Styx debut on which album?
4. Dennis deYoung played a part in a Broadway musical...which musical and what part?
5. The Arch Allies tour featured Styx and what other band?

[KevinB]

I assumed from your screen name that you were the drummer. It sounds like you guys play some good stuff. Are you ever around Warrenton, VA?

[TheStickman]

Actually I'm the lead guitar player and 2nd vocalist. We play in South Carolina only. One of these days we might even put up a website and advertise.

We play everything from CDB to Montgomery Gentry to Molly Hatchet to Bill Withers to 3 Doors Down to ZZ Top.

[TheStickman]

1. They are a Chicago based band but one member is from elsewhere...who and from what state?

Tommy Shaw is from Alabama--I think he is anyway lol

2. JY Young is actually a "rocket scientist"..true or false

Dunno

3. Tommy Shaw made his Styx debut on which album?

Crystal Ball

4. Dennis deYoung played a part in a Broadway musical...which musical and what part?

Hmmm *I'm a whiner?* LOL!!! I have no idea

5. The Arch Allies tour featured Styx and what other band?

REO Speedwagon

[KevinB]

Sounds like a good mix. Sorry you never make it to the VA area.

[Always Right]

Kevin Matthews is a Chicago radio personality who has exhorted his fans -- the KevHeads -- to yell "Freebird" for years, and claims to have originated the tradition in the late 1980s

Can't really agree with that. The live version of Freebird is probably one of the most popular live songs of all time. The tradition started because people heard it so many times, not because of some radio personality.

[Rodney King]

Yeah, I agree.

[Always Right]

I liked Styx until Kilroy. I despised "Mr. Roboto".

[soundandvision]

Yep, it sure is the oldest joke. And to paraphrase Neil Young: Skynard sucks.

[Always Right]

I have more use for Skynard than Young.

[soundandvision]

I knew I would take heat for that comment :)

[Mustng959]

3 for 5 Stickman.
Yep, ole Tommy is a southern boy from 'Bama.
JY does have a degree in some sort of aeronautics propulsion...making him a rocket scientist
Tommy did debut on Crystal Ball, an excellent album.
Dennis was "Pontious Pilate" in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Broadway musical, Jesus Christ Superstar (I believe during a run in the late 1980's) I have a copy of the recording of "Pilate's Dream" sung by Dennis and its very good.

and the 2 bands that battled for supremacy in 1980 for the top album joined together and toured, Styx and REO. (saw that tour and had a great time). ~Paradise Theater and HI-Infidelity~ battle back and forth for the top spot, the fans were the winners, both good albums.


I guess Mr. Roboto was the turning point (in the wrong direction) for Styx, Always Right. There was some good music on there but alot of people feel Dennis went a little too far with trying to incorporate theatrics into a concert production when people just came to "Rock-n-Roll"! The band disbanded shortly after but reunited later.