Believe it or not, Ronnie Van Zant and Neil Young were friends. Young has even performed this song live on many occasions! I haven't heard Young's take on it but I'd love to.
On the cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Street Survivors" Van Zant is clearly wearing a Neil Young tour shirt.
Rumor has it he was buried in it. And speaking of this...
I'm proud to say that band is from my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.
Jacksonville Memorial Gardens is less than 1/2 mile from where I live.