Scene and Heard

Gary Rossington

Lynyrd Skynyrd brought their “Gods and Guns Tour” to Horseshoe Casino Southern In Memorial Day weekend.

The “2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame “ powerhouse was formed 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida.

Skynyrd has had it’s share of tragedy. Losing founding members Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), and Steve Gaines (guitarist) in a 1977 plane crash. It took ten years for the band to reform and move on after the crash.

The band regained it’s momentum only to lose founding guitarist Allen Collins, Founding Bassist Leon Wilkenson and longtime guitarist Hughie Thomasson, also founder of the Outlaws.

The band endured and began recording their new album” Gods and Guns” when the lost Founding pianist, Billy Powell and longtime bassist, Ean Evans.

The two can be heard on a portion of the album and the soon to be released DVD “Live from Freedom Hall” from the last show they played on right here in Louisville.

The latest version of the band is driven by core members, Gary Rossington the last original founding band member, Johnny Van Zant, brother of original vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant and the energizer, long time guitarist Ricky Medlock, formerly from Blackfoot.

Lynyrd Skynyrd play a strong hour and a half show to a large crowd made up most of the “Skynyrd Nation”.

It was a show filled with classic hits from their five gold and platinum albums with a tribute honoring our soldiers and veterans “ Simple Man” and to past  band members “ Tuesdays Gone”

The show ended with a long version of Sweet Home Alabama that had most of the audience sing along.

A predictable encore of “Freebird” led by a scorching  guitars from  Medlock, Sparky Matejka and Rossington  that sounded  exactly like the original version ended the evening.

Lynyrd Skynyrd founding member, Gary Rossington added, We’re still standing, still keeping the music going. We wanted to do the guys who aren’t with us any more proud, and keep the name proud too.”

Current Band members are:

Gary Rossington- Guitar 1964-1977, 1987- present

Johnny Van Zant- Vocals 1987 – present
Rickey Medlocke- Guitar 1970-71, 1987- present
Mark “Sparky” Matejka- Guitar 2006- present
Michael Cartellone- Drums  1999- present
Robert Kearns – Bass  2009 – present
Peter Keys – Keyboards 2009- present
Honkettes:         Dale Krantz Rossington- Backing Vocals 1987- present
Carol Chase- Backing Vocals  1987- present

more photos on http://mikeseye.phanfare.com