Drummer Reacts To Lynyrd Skynyrd - “Freebird” Live In 1977 (Oakland Coliseum Stadium) || Blown Away!

[@setonhillstudios]

*To receive PRIORITY Requests for future videos, head on over to our Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee. Never expected, but always appreciated.❤Links in Description!* Is this the greatest performance ever?! What's next from Lynyrd Skynyrd?

[@gregcissell345]

Best era of live performances , no computers, no cell phones, no backing tracks, no lip syncing, just great musicians working their asses off to do what they love.

[@sollatzo]

You forgot no bras

[@dancooksey8999]

None even close!!

[@ogmike7302]

This performance was only three months before the plane ✈️ crash. This is epic

[@setonhillstudios]

Wow! Just crazy to think about! So sad 😞

[@douglasg.9271]

These guys were perfectionists. They practiced more than anyone, and it shows in their live performances.

[@Oldschoolnana]

Just graduated high school in 1976. We had & will always have the best music. RIP TO ALL WHO PERISHED.🙏🕊️✌️🌻🌻

[@hanoverjim2693]

Class of '77. I bought "Street Survivors" 1 or 2 weeks before crash. 1959--- Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Big Bobber, good music (for the time). I agree the 1970's had best music.

[@FerretJohn]

Sad that only one person on that stage is still alive, the drummer Artemis Pyle. The ORIGINAL members of the band, formed in 1964, was Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington and Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Jungstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). Ronnie of course died in the plane crash and was replaced by his little brother Johnny Van Zant when the band reunited in 87, Allen was badly injured in the crash then paralyzed in a car accident in 86 and died of pneumonia in 90, to twist the knife Allen's wife died in 82 from complications from a miscarriage with their third child, Burns left in 74, retiring from music after a particularly nightmarish tour and died in an auto accident in 2015, Jungstrom left in 71, forming 38 Special with Ronnie's other brother Donny, died in 2019, and Gary, the last of the originals, passed away last year.

[@steveshelton5036]

When they were actually recording the song in Muscle Shoals they took a lunch break. When they came back to the studio Billy Powell (who was a roadie at the time) was playing the piano part and they recorded it. They had no idea that he was a trained concert pianist. Three months later he was part of the band.

[@setonhillstudios]

So cool! Definitely a good thing he decided to mess around on the keys! Such an awesome story!

[@Sergiosmom1-g5g]

RIP Ronnie, Steve, and Cassie!!! They created an iconic piece of history

[@warrenburlingame1172]

Hands down the greatest rock song and greatest southern rock band ever

[@setonhillstudios]

Amazing for sure!

[@listenlinda4662]

EVERRRRR!!!!!

[@waynegaertner6092]

I was there in 77@ the coliseum. I was 1 of the most memorable concerts I was at.

[@setonhillstudios]

@@waynegaertner6092 What?! That’s amazing!! 🤘🏻

[@johnbird8821]

One of the greatest piano players ever in a better man

[@tntcyclespdx640]

Billy was the only member to survive the crash and be physically able to attend the funeral. RIP Billy Powell

[@janbarrington7945]

You asked where we were at ths time....I was 15 yrs old and in a body cast...lol No lie. I love this song and ever time I watch this concert it brings tears to my eyes. On October 20,1977 we tragically lost Ronnie VanZant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines and Dean Kilpatrick. Its just weird watching this knowing that they would leave us a few months later. Thank you for taking us down memory lane.

[@cathyboyles110]

I was there!! July 1977 Day On The Geen, Oakland Coliseum Oakland, Cali. This band Is FIRE!!

[@setonhillstudios]

Danggg!!! Lucky you! I bet it was amazing! 🤘🏻

[@Ozarkprepper643]

Smooth southern rock. The piano player was a roadie for a long time before they found out he played piano. Glad they included him. It helps round out the sound. Most all of us in that audience are great grannies and Grandpa's now. We traveled from Arizona too Oakland for this concert. Only other time we traveled far for a concert was too Tampa Florida to see Jethro Tull. Not far from Lynyrd Skynyrd's hometown. lol Ronnie Van Zant and other band members were killed in the plane crash. RIP 🚜🤠🐂

[@doobiedave9686]

I was a sophmore in college in '77 and this performace was done just a couple of months before the plane crash in October of 1977. The song is a tribute to Duane Allman of the Allman brothers who died in a motorcycle accident in 1971. The guitarist in all white is Allan Collins, the one on slide is Gary Rossington, the 3rd guitarist is Steve Gaines, the drummer is Artemus Pyle, and the bass player is Leon Wilkerson and he is smoking the bass in this song. If you get a chance you should check out Skynyrd performing Workin' For MCA or Gimme Three Steps from the Knebworth Music Festival in 1976. ✌️

[@ElizabethJohnson-ss4ce]

Freebird was often dedicated to Duane, but it was not written for or about him. Allen wrote the chords in 1969, but Ronnie didn't come up with the lyrics until 1970. The opening lines are something Allen's girlfriend asked him during a high school argument. They were married in 1970 and the guys played this at their wedding.

[@vangreen9098]

Yes sir Ronnie we still remember you…

[@JoeHicks-ow4rm]

Absolutely. And the rest of the band too.❤❤❤

[@bendavidson7122]

This Kids is SOUTHERN ROCK At its FINEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@setonhillstudios]

No doubt about it! Such a banger! 🔥

[@andymcshane6972]

Opening guitar “whine” by Garry Rossington, solo at the end by Alan Collins w/ help from Steve Gaines, base player Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell on the piano, drummer Artimus Pyle and the great Ronnie Van Zandt running the show. Sadly all are together in Rock and Roll heaven with the exception or Artimus

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the insight! Loved this performance and they were definitely gone too soon! 😞

[@hudsonhollow]

I wasn't at this one but saw them live at Atlanta Pop in July 1970. Small little crowd of around 400,000 of us! EPIC!!! I hitchhiked there with a cute little sweetheart. I was a FREEBIRD!!! Youth!

[@ninoperez7250]

Blessed to have grown up in Florida during this time. Their music resonates the true Florida lifestyle. Was a true follower of Skynyrd! Cried the day of their plane crash! My favorite group aside from the Beatles. Unimaginable times are missed🙏

[@setonhillstudios]

I can’t imagine! They are definitely an amazing group with so many hits! Their music will live on forever! ❤️

[@PopularMonsterUSA]

This song was played at tons of funerals in the 80’s. Epic.

[@bobbyverne9714]

Hands down, probably one of the BEST live performances ever...PERIOD!!

[@setonhillstudios]

So EPIC!!! They brought that 🔥🔥 like no other! Amazing! 🤘🏻

[@Roger-ux3eg]

Gary Rossington on slide was the last original member. He passed away in March 2023. Allen Collins does the main solo. He passed away in 1990. Steve Gaines joins in the solo. He passed away along with his sister who was a backup singer and of course lead singer Ronnie Van Zant in the plane crash on October 20, 1977.

[@setonhillstudios]

So tragic…

[@OneOddTodd63]

I was 13 the day the free bird crashed in Upstate SC, about an hour from where I lived at the time in NC. Ronnie, Steve and his sister Cassie were killed and a couple others in the crew, I believe. As for the inspiration for the song, Ronnie said in a documentary released sometime later that he'd wanted to write a song about being free and to him there was nothing more free than a bird. The song is actually about being freed from a relationship. But I think the lyrics are just vague enough that you could apply it to just about any situation you need release from.

[@setonhillstudios]

Great lyrical imagery and so sad about the crash! 😞 It’s crazy how short life truly is! Thanks for hanging!

[@juliemanarin4127]

I saw them front row center! I was 17 in 1977! The 70s were the best ti.e of my life!

[@setonhillstudios]

That’s awesome!

[@juliemanarin4127]

​@@setonhillstudiosit was!!!

[@josephgallagher945]

After the crash, they returned with a female singer & were called The Rossington Collins Band. They made several albums & had some radio hits. Then they became Skynyrd again for the rest of their career with Ronnie's younger brother singing.

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

Allen Collins is on lead guitar with Gary Rossington on slide, and Leon Wilkerson on bass, Artemis Pyle on drums, Billy Powell on the grand, and Ronnie van Zant on vocals.

[@gregorysimmers]

What about Steve Gains on guitar?

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

@@gregorysimmers My apologies to Steve. Bless his soul. Cassie's brother was definitely a talented guitarist when tragedy took him from this world far too soon.

[@nathanwahl9224]

Jojo, Leslie and Cassie.

[@michaeldavidfigures9842]

@@nathanwahl9224 the girls should not be forgotten.

[@jeffwarren4938]

And Steve Gaines on guitar!

[@susieterry9099]

I will never, ever forget the day that the news broke that their plane went down. Freebird has been an anthem for decades now.

[@chipurBillWhite]

Song was born when Allen Collins’ girlfriend asked him, “If I leave here tomorrow, will you still remember me?”

[@brandonjones1349]

The live 76 is great too. Opening for the Stones, they were told not to over run their set time. And Mick DEMANDED that Skynard not go out on rolling stones tounge set design . Of course...Ronnie said ok. Thennnn....the rebels came out of em. Lol. Its worth the watch man. I promise! ☘️🇺🇲

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@bobcorbin3294]

On the original vinyl the song is dedicated to DA meaning Duane Allman who just recently passed.

[@setonhillstudios]

Gotcha, didn’t know that!

[@randyhochstein8455]

They have three guitarist’s. Left to right, Steve Gains playing the black Gibson LesPaul, Gary Rossington playing the Red Gibson SG, and Alan Collins playing that fabulous Gibson Firebird. ✌🏼😎🇺🇸

[@rickward460]

And let's not forget the Mad Hatter, Leon Wilkeson 🎩 on bass 🤙

[@kevenrowe2958]

Allen Collins * he was playing a Gibson explorer

[@karenwalsh1143]

​@@rickward460yea, I was gonna say 4 guitarists

[@karenwalsh1143]

4 guitarists

[@davidvsr]

freebird...a free spirit...cant be tamed.....

[@boroblueyes]

Now you know why so many people yell "Freebird". In 77' I was 19 and had seen them 3 times by the time they did this show. We had so much great Rock and Roll, so many classics.

[@setonhillstudios]

Haha 🤣 Great point! Now I might be yelling it too!

[@JoeHicks-ow4rm]

Most favorite southern rock band ever ❤❤❤. Freebird the best song ever❤❤❤. I had the chance to see them in Fresno California three months before the plane crash but I didn't go. Now every time I hear one of their songs I just hate myself even more.

[@gildavis8266]

To answer your question, I was just out of the Army and back in Atlanta working for Rollis Protective Service here in Atlanta, I was 22 years old and in my freshman year at Dekalb Community College. The first time I heard them live was at Georgia Jam in 1974 where they played for a same size crowd at Fulton County Stadium. They were always great right to the very end. The song "Freebird" is a lament, an apology of sorts, sung by a lover who just wasn't ready to settle down and get married at that stage of his life. The pickup in tempo reflects the excitement of living life to the hilt free from the constraints which would force him to change his ways. Lead guitar was played by Alan Collins playing a Gibson Firebird., the rhythm, slide and special effects was played by Gary Rossington playing the Gibson SG. And he also played some of the lead too trading with Alan Collins or a matching duet. The other guitarist was Steve Gains playing a Gibson Les Paul. Sadly Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gains and his siter Cassie (wo was a background singer) would die in that tragic plane crash on October 20, 1977 a little over 3 months after this performance.

[@UniversalGC]

The pianist, Billy.Powell, used to be a roadie for the band. Ronnie Van Zant came back from a break in the studio to find him playing the piano beautifully. Turns out he was a classically trained pianist but had never even told anyone. Ronnie was so moved by his talent that he made him a part of the band.

[@listenlinda4662]

This song was the national anthem of an entire generation. Back in the day when stadium concerts had 100K + audiences. If this is from summer 1977, (I believe July) it was from approx 3 months b4 their horrific plane crash, 10/28/77. They crashed into the woods in a very rural location.. Ppl metal detecting there are still finding pieces of the wreckage to this day. Another excellent documentary is "If I Leave Here Tomorrow". If you like the band, I highly suggest you watch. They named themselves after their high school gym teacher.

[@joeyboogenz]

The crash was 10/20/1977 and this is the real Skynyrd . Not the fake version that still tours under that name to this day . The fake version stole the name & are just a tribute cover band .

[@listenlinda4662]

@@joeyboogenz Sorry, the date was a typo. Fat thumbs and not wearing my glasses. Rickey Medlocke was one of their guitarists from 71-72, then rejoined them in 96. Still plays with them now. He's the last one from b4 the crash. Not an original, but all we've got left now. And Johnny Van Zandt (lead vocals) is Ronnie's brother.

[@brandonjones1349]

Best band everrrrr. Especially live. Nice draw gunslinger. Love this performance. Perfection ☘️🇺🇲

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Why is 70's rock so damn great? Don't know but I love it. Yes, I'm an 80's teen.

[@setonhillstudios]

Gotta love it! Such great music! Thanks for hanging out!

[@ericramsell5947]

3 guitar players! Gary Rossington with the Gibson SG, dark hair, Allen Collins with the Gibson Explorer, long wavy blond hair and white shirt, Steve Gaines with the black Les Paul and shorter wavy hair and white shirt; Steve replaced Ed King who was one of the original guitarists. This lineup isn't entirely the original band, several members came and went at the very beginning as well as later. The aforementioned Ed King, but also Larry Junstrom, and Rickey Medlocke who left and went on to form Blackfoot. Billy Powell joined later as he was originally a roadie for the band. He officially became a band member when Ronnie heard him playing the piano while on break.

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks so much for the info! Really appreciate you taking the time to fill me in!

[@jeffwarren4938]

Larry also became the bass player for .38 Special!

[@lisayoung9920]

Eerily, Ed King and Steve Gaines were both born on September 14, 1949.

[@johncrocker-nh7ey]

The 3 league guitars are Gary rossington. Playing the slide guitar. Alan Collins in the white suit. Suit playing lead and Steve Gaines. Playing backup lead to him. I saw them in 76 with Artemis pile playing the drums. And Leon Wilkerson was the bass player and it looks like him on stage. I'm not gonna argue that cause. I saw them the prior year in concert playing with the outlaws. In Tampa, Florida. But Billy Powell on piano and of course, Ronnie Van Zant leads singers.Steve Gaines's sister was a backup singer.She was one of the ones that died in the PlaneWreck autumn is powell survived the plane wreck

[@gregoryrichardson7333]

The Guitar player in white is ALLEN COLLINS

[@Laura_Martin42]

This is Lynyrd Skynyrd. This video always gets to me, it was just 3 months or so before they died in the plane crash, it sort of eerie. My Mom and sister got to see them before the crash, but I was deemed too young!

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

The Final "Before the Crash" band . Ronnie Van Zant (Vocals) Gary Rossington (Slide Guitar) Allen Collins (Lead Guitar ) Steve Gaines ( The "New Guy " Lead Guitar ) Leon Wilkerson ( Bass) Billy Powell (Keyboards) , Artimus Pyle (Drums) . The band was down to just Rossington & Collins for a few years , around the time of their album "Gimme Back My Bullets" after original guitarist Ed King had left & Gaines was added to bring them back to the 3 guitar front line . Pyle had replaced original drummer Bob Burns . Also , not seen in this video were the "The Honkettes" the bands 3 feamale back-up singers , Leslie Hawkins , Jo-Jo Billingsley & Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister who had recommended her brother Steve to Ronnie as another guitarist to add to the band ) This is from Bill Grahams "Day on the Green" shows he'd put on in the late 70's in the Bay area . The reason so many ladies are in the audience is because this concerts headliner was Peter Frampton . This was at the height of "Framptonmania" and his album "Frampton Comes Alive" was EVERYWHERE .

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for all the information and taking the time to comment! This performance was so amazing and then to find out the plane crash followed just a few short months after is devastating! 😞 They were all locked in and playing with so much emotion and passion! So thankful that this footage exists!

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

Glad you liked the long commentary . Just passing along what I've lived through & know about . I need to do something with all this worthless info I've got laying around 🙂

[@KennyRansom-l5k]

You Might Want to check out Marcus King . I forget how the exact lineage works but Marcus is related to Ed King somehow . He's a young dude with an old school soul & a damn good guitar player & singer . I was a 12 year veteran of the Mountain Jam festival at Hunter Mountain NY ( it ran at the venue from 2005 - 2017 ) and Marcus was one of my favorite "finds" . Here's a clip with Marcus & his band performing the Allman Brothers Band "Hot 'Lanta" with Gov't Mule's Warren Haynes , who help found & was the festivals musical curator & he would sit in with various artists all weekend long 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qX63m2B_lMeIbLM

[@bendavidson7122]

I want FREEBIRD Played at MY FUNERAL in its Entirety!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JoeHicks-ow4rm]

Wow that's so cool. I told my son if he doesn't play this at my funeral I was coming back to haunt him. SERIOUSLY!!!😂😂😂

[@robertchatterley7245]

Guitarists are Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Steve Gains.

[@cotadog4472]

No one really talks about how @ 9:04 you can see Ronnie sing along with Gary's playing and @ 9:15 it just really hits him in his soul.

[@robersonfamily2482]

In my humble opinion, greatest song of all time. Also best guitar solo of all time. The only way to describe it. A guitar orgasm.

[@reallymysterious4520]

I also love Simple Man & Tuesday's Gone ( my fav song of theirs )

[@setonhillstudios]

Love Simple Man! Such a killer tune! 🔥

[@reallymysterious4520]

@@setonhillstudios In that case you may want to consider reacting to Tuesday's Gone

[@richardpierce7819]

Original members : Ronnie Van Zant Allen Collins GARY Rossington Leon Wilkerson on bass ( he left for a short time and was replaced by Ed King on bass) Ed King ( when Leon came back Ed moved from bass to guitar.) Ricky Medlock ( on drums for a short time after Bob Burns left ) Bob Burns ( original drummer he left for a short time but came back later he had a mental breakdown and was replaced by Artimus Pyle who is drumming in this video) Billy Powell on piano. The Honkettes were added later. When Ed left the band in the middle of the Tourture tour. He would be replaced by Steve Gaines seen in this video. Allen Collins played the main solo in this video. Gary Rossington played the slide guitar. Ronnie once said of Freebird " its basically a love song." The 3 guitars were 1) Allen Collins 2) Gary Rossington 3) Steve Honkettes 1) Leslie Hawkins 2) JoJo Billingsly 3) Cassie Gaines ( Steves older sister) I think that covers it all.

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the info!

[@ElizabethJohnson-ss4ce]

Medlocke was not an original member.

[@jeffwarren4938]

Larry Junstrom was the original bass player, not Leon. Larry left the band, only to later become the bass player for .38 Special. Leon was not an original member.

[@rickeyjohnson6404]

I saw this tour a couple weeks before this show at the time I was off to the navy for this show

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for your service and appreciate you hanging out with us! Have a great one!

[@VinceEmbry]

I was here. I live(d) in a very rural/ranching area. Most people didn't even have phone lines yet. 4 of us told our parents that we were going to the others ranch to help brand the cows. We loaded up and headed for Oakland. (2) 14 year olds, (1) 15 (me), and (1) 16 year old (his car). Around 1500 mile round trip. Was the coolest/craziest 4 days of my life.

[@setonhillstudios]

Wow! Such an amazing memory! Thanks for sharing! 😁

[@robbywilliams4601]

Ronnie VanZant lead singer Allen Collins lead guitar (solo) Gary Rossington guitar (slide) Billy Powell piano Steve Gaines rythm guitar Atrtimus Powell drums Leon Wilkerson bass This was just a few months before the crash. Bob Burns was their original drummer and Ed King of Strawberry Alarm Clock fame was an early member

[@davidvsr]

this is definitely the original, a few months after this show, several of them died in the plane crash

[@richardpierce7819]

From a 9 min. Studio cut to a 15 min live cut.

[@richardkilgore8922]

I was actually Back Stage at this Show working for BGP alot of people were hired for these DAY ON THE GREEN shows i worked for BGP Bill Graham Presents for over 2O years, Best years of my life!!!.....🇺🇸🗽🇺🇸

[@setonhillstudios]

Oh wow! That is so cool! Really appreciate you sharing! Love hearing about the memories!

[@richardkilgore8922]

@@setonhillstudios actually I can't share alot of my memories! What Happens Back Stage stays Back Stage !!🤣!!

[@setonhillstudios]

@@richardkilgore8922 🤣😂🤣

[@RobertCarriker-ov4tc]

There’s three guitar players. Steve Gaines, who perished in the crash, Alan Collins and Gary Rossington three guitar players Leon Wilkinson on the base Billy Powell on keyboard and Artemis Pyle on the drums. Artemis was the second drummer.

[@GabrielMGoncalves]

Lynyrd Skynyrd was a disruption in time and space: they realeased music for only 4 years and look at their work! They are my favorite band, they are one of the greatest of all times, if they kept going we can't know where would they get to, would probably be the best of all time, the world would be small for them.

[@ShelleyCrowe]

The dude that plays that slide was the last founding member who passed away this year

[@kathyyoung9539]

I was there it was great. The kongest I ever heard that song played was 1 hour and 45 minutes. Its about a person that is not gonna be tied down. Sorta like me. Im gonna go where I want when I want and nobodys gonna stop me. I ain't gonna be tied down to nobody. ❤

[@setonhillstudios]

Let’s gooooo! That’s wild that they played it for 1 hour and 45 minutes at one point! I bet this was so EPIC being in the crowd! Thanks for sharing!

[@codyhenrichs9699]

I was there too!

[@tonycross2449]

This is the original members with the exception of Ed King quitting the band and his replacement on far left stage- Steve Gains with the Les Paul custom guitar.

[@setonhillstudios]

Appreciate the info! Loved this performance! Such an EPIC song!

[@joeyboogenz]

The dude in white who kills the end guitar solo is Allen Collins ,who concetialized the song back in 66 ' The guy on Black guitar was Steve Gaines , Red slide was Gary Rossington , Bass Leon Wilkeson . 3 Guitarists . Plus bass and keys .

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for all the info and hanging out for a bit!

[@michaelhenderson2480]

Good times good times

[@MrSchmaaz]

Every musician in this video has passed. Gary Rossington was the last original band member. I listened to them in the 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000, and still today. I took them to 2 wars, music in my headphones. Had them on 8 track, cassettes, ipod and here today.

[@setonhillstudios]

First and foremost, thank you so much for your service! Appreciate you hanging out taking the time to comment! Such an incredible band and this performance was so EPIC!

[@MrSchmaaz]

@@setonhillstudios, I'm a veteran on disability so I can't really send you money to request a review. Ram Jam Black Betty has to be one.

[@setonhillstudios]

@@MrSchmaaz I completely understand. I never expect any $$ from you all! Luckily, I’ve covered that one and it was so awesome! Go to our home page and look under the playlist ‘Bands • Groups.’ 🤘🏻

[@bradsense7431]

Drummer Artemis is still with us and still playing gigs in his own band. He was not an original member but is playing on this video.

[@Nismo331]

Yeah I'm old but I was there! Thank you. It was epic

[@rdhudon7469]

I was in high school in Canada in '77 and I've always been a rocker . This vid breaks my heart as we know what looms in the very near future after this performance .

[@stanleynykaza9042]

Note ,it was said alot of the girls were there to see Peter Frampton who played next check out live performance BABY I LOVE YOUR WAYS from same concert ! also back then fans only got to see their rock bands at concerts as they were never on TV , no you tube only magazines and radio back then, That why there was mote excitement, truly a once in a life time experience. for me back in 1977 i was lucky enough , to see ELVIS ,BOSTON,FRANK ZAPPA , CHICAGO,BEACH BOYS,MARSHLLE TUCKER And DOOBIE BROTHERS and STEVE MILLER, ARROWSMITH.1977 was a good year!

[@setonhillstudios]

Wow! What a year for you! Thanks for sharing and you are indeed lucky! Appreciate you hanging out!

[@steverakes6182]

All the great southern rock bands are from my home town, Jacksonville, Florida, Skynyrd, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet. Lynyrd Skynyrd played at my high school (Ed White High) before they had even cut a record. Ask any southern boy and he will tell you that Lynyrd Skynyrd still rules the south.

[@setonhillstudios]

So cool! Florida is putting out some EPIC bands! Loved this performance and can’t wait to check out more! Appreciate the info! 🤘🏻

[@markbruhn3943]

Have played this song in bands several times, always an awesome jam

[@setonhillstudios]

Bet it’s super fun for sure!

[@bella-xp7qd]

Always gives me the creeps when Ronnie says If I leave here tomorrow would you still remember me. Knowing that in about 2-3 months after this performance Ronnie (29), Steve Gaines (in red pants 28 years old), Steve's sister Cassie (29) a backup singer, road manager, 2 pilots would die in a plane crash. 20 others survived but had serious injuries. Steve had only been with the band about 1 year. He bought renewed energy to the group. He had a fantastic singing voice. Ain't No Good was one of his songs.

[@setonhillstudios]

Wow! That is spine chilling indeed! 🥶 Thanks for all the info on the band and hanging out! We really appreciate you swinging by the channel! 😁

[@sherrigrowgradisher1927]

I was there and this was one of the best performances I have been to.

[@setonhillstudios]

That’s so cool! A day you will never forget! Thanks for sharing!

[@ga7654]

In the summer of '77, I was 17, and bussing tables at Mr. Fred's in downtown D.C.

[@juliemanarin4127]

Same age as me!

[@alpetrocelli4465]

FYI-the voice saying “they’re so good, you’d think they were from San Francisco” was Bill Graham, owner of the Fillmore’s East in NY & West in SF, were some of the greatest Rock concerts ever were recorded. And in ‘77, we didn’t need no spf, we used Mecuricome mixed with baby oil (look it up). This was about the time the ozone layer damage was causing problems. This, along with Layla & Stairway to Heaven, are my top 3 rock songs. ✌️❤️🎶

[@ninoperez7250]

Guitarist: Stevie Gaines and Gary Rossington. Phenomenal!

[@setonhillstudios]

Appreciate the info! Such amazing players and this performance was phenomenal!

[@lucasroth7922]

Just graduated high school. I was probably running the soundboard for the band I was with! We were booked that week of July 4th🔥🤘🎶

[@setonhillstudios]

That’s awesome!

[@cshubs]

I truly hope you extend your interest by watching the fantastic documentary Muscle Shoals, which is about the studios in northern Alabama where a TON of the best music of the 20th C. was made. Aretha made her first hit there. Percy Sledge, Etta James, Duane Alllman, and a thousand others found their voices in Muscle Shoals. It's the story of Rick Hall and the Swampers, and of the river that gives the area its groove. It's a must watch.

[@setonhillstudios]

I’ll have to check it out!

[@cshubs]

@@setonhillstudios It give a lot of info and music, and it does so poetically. Muscle Shoals and the Swampers are mentioned in the song Sweet Home Alabama.

[@notablindliberal896]

Yes, I watched that about a month ago. Unbelievable with all the artists that were at Muscle Shoals making great music. Plenty of history in that place and what a documentary it is.

[@notablindliberal896]

This was the last line up this band had prior to the plane crash. Steve Gaines in the red pants had joined the band in May of 1976 after Ed King left. The drummer is Artimus Pyle. He was not the original drummer, that was Bob Burns who left in 1974 i believe. Billy Powell was on the piano. He was originally a roadie that told them if he was to play Freebird he would do it this way and began to play. The band members couldn't believe it as the guys had no idea he was as talented as he was. They immediately dropped him as a roadie and hired him to play for the band. The rest is history. I was only 12 at this time but had been exposed to their music by my older siblings. Devastating what happened just 3 and a half months after this show. My favorite band ever. Thanks for the genuine reaction and helping keep this bands music alive. Lynyrd Skynyrd forever.

[@setonhillstudios]

@@notablindliberal896 Thank you for watching and all the info! This was such an incredible performance that I never wanted to end! Can’t wait to keep digging into their catalogue! Have a great one! 😁

[@reallymysterious4520]

Next to Stairway to Heaven this is probably the second most iconic rock song of all time - at least in America it is. And probably even #1 in America

[@setonhillstudios]

Possibly so!

[@juliemanarin4127]

Absolutely

[@vangreen9098]

The plane crash was October 1977 about 3 months after this show. I was fortunate to see them 3 times before the plane crash. I just saw the modern Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top April of 2024 and the lead singers brother been singing the last 36 years… yeah I’m old

[@honeybadger713]

Yes , these are your grandparents folks 😎😎

[@clairehall2720]

I was -1 at the time. But love the shit out of this eras music. 60s - 70’s music is proper rock and roll

[@ugadawgs1990]

Song was written in reaction to Duane Allman seeing a bald eagle fly over the Okefenokee swamp in 1986.

[@benmelich8220]

Gary Rossington was playing the slide guitar, Allen Collins was the guy in white, playing the firebird and Steve Gaines was the third guitar player.

[@setonhillstudios]

Gotcha! Thanks for the info and swinging by! Such an amazing performance!

[@MetalphysicalMel]

This is the year Elvis died. I was 9 years old in rural Kansas wishing I was somewhere else.

[@RichardHicks-vk3vb]

To me the best one is the live performance the did ahead of the Rolling Stones. They were told do not walk out on the tongue but being them they did. You need to show and watch it.

[@codyhenrichs9699]

I was at this Day on the Green....

[@moonlightmile70s96]

prince charming is making his guitar tweet like a bird

[@danparts9333]

cant speak a word with a mouth full of ludes

[@johnbird8821]

I was in Jacksonville Florida

[@pyrotenax472]

As great as that performance was in a stadium , I personally think the best live performance of Freebird was done on a UK music show, called "The Old Grey Whistle Test" on BBC TV in UK. Here is a 42 minute performance of their set , with Freebird coming in at at about 28 minutes. The visual quality is outstanding as someone has done a 4K conversion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r4rLqmqAjdWDrbc

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the link, I’ll have to check it out!

[@Scottocaster6668]

NICE! THANK YOU 😉👍

[@IFRfun]

Gary Rossington from Jacksonville, FL is the slide guitarist. He survived the plane crash and after a long recovery, when the band started again with some of the original members and new ones, he played lead until just before his death. You can hear him and the replacement band all over KZbin ... look for Simple Man, Gimme Three Steps, and Sweet Home Alabama on the Jacksonville Tour. Ronnie Van Zant's baby brother, Johnny took over lead vocals for the band. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIrLmWCXq6ydprc

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks so much for the info Milton! I absolutely loved this performance and have never seen them in this element! Most of the videos (if not all) I have seen of Lynyrd Skynyrd, they were a bit older and with a different line up! Phenomenal playing and energy on this one! Have a great one and hope all is well!

[@WEHenry]

I was partying my azz off in AL. and the gulf coast some where😂👍

[@davidmazzell2332]

The drummer and one guitarist took over for original members, Ed king on guitar and Bob burns on drums.

[@setonhillstudios]

Ah ok, thanks for the heads up!

[@RussTopel]

I was at this show and it was a 'Day on the Green" series concert and it was a great time...

[@setonhillstudios]

Sounds awesome!

[@vangreen9098]

Guitars… Steve Gains red pants white top… Allen Collins all white… and Gary Rossington playing the slide you mentioned….

[@setonhillstudios]

Thanks for the info!

[@pommie5093]

Sorry for all the comments today-but I want to recommend the Knebworth concert version of this beyond-epic-classic song. Even if it's on your own time, I recommend all LS fans check it out. It has an even longer solo, believe it or not and LS was opening for the Stones that day. LS was told they could not go out onto the "tongue" portion of the stage-that was for the Stones only. LS remained on the main part of the stage-until their final song, Free Bird. At that point, Ronnie being Ronnie said, eff that. It is said LS blew the Stones out of the water that day, no surprise. They played even better live than the studio versions of their songs. If anyone does check it out, look for the longer version of that song, that day. Someone put up a video that excludes Billy's piano solo for some strange reason.

[@setonhillstudios]

No worries! I appreciate all the comments and the interaction! I don’t want to talk to myself! 🤣 Thanks for the insight! I’ll have to check it out!

[@Shoshonegrl]

What makes this an amazing song is, it wasn't too long after that thevplane crash happened. So this song was like prophecy

[@setonhillstudios]

So crazy!

[@riff8114]

i was probably at a Pink Floyd concert 77 lol

[@setonhillstudios]

Haha 😆 Good times!

[@GoToExtremes]

That slide sound mimics a bird chirp...Freebird

[@robinbeerman4726]

Great band ,gone to soon. Best solo ever, will never bevtopped.

[@setonhillstudios]

Such an amazing band and this performance was phenomenal! Thanks for watching!

[@steveshelton5036]

You should listen to Allen Collins isolated guitar on Freebird. Amazing !!

[@setonhillstudios]

Oh wow! I bet that is cool to hear! I definitely have to check that out! Thanks!