Totally blew me away!🤯 Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird (live Oakland 1977 - Coliseum Stadium) reaction

[@attwxlv5966]

One of the greatest reactions to one of the greatest guitar solos of all times. I was blessed to have lived during the Freebird Era for sure

[@badnelly7819]

Not bad for a group of students who were told they'd never amount to nothing by their school teacher...so they named their band LS after that teacher. Bet he was surprised to see them play live on television back then haha. Love these guys.

[@SarahDengler]

Haha wow! They did him dirty!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

@@SarahDengler Yes, but I have seen an interview with him and he said that they were frequently causing him trouble and he had to kind of be hard on them but actually he really liked them. And then once they became famous he thought it was really hilarious. He was a good sport about it.

[@bamacopeland4372]

@@stevedahlberg8680 on me nothing fancy they actually had his real estate agency photo

[@stevedahlberg8680]

@@bamacopeland4372 wow, I never realized that. That is fucking hilarious. Those guys really were special there's no other way to put it.

[@billrobertjoe]

they became friends with him

[@gary1961]

Most of those beautiful young ladies in the crowd will now be grand mothers. They can tell their grand children how they rocked with Lynyrd Skynyrd while Ronnie Van Zant was still here.

[@stanfordhicks8502]

One of the greatest songs of the 1970s

[@SarahDengler]

Definitely!

[@paulgilmore549]

Of all time.

[@janhoughtaling2948]

One of the most iconic live performances by any band, any place.

[@Gutslinger]

13:17 There's another Free Bird live performance where they played in Europe, and they were opening for the Rolling Stones. The stage was shaped like a giant mouth with a tongue sticking out. They were instructed not to go out on the tongue portion, as it was reserved for the Rolling Stones themselves, I think. But during the solo, Ronnie lead his boys out onto the tongue so they could have their moment. The stage was high with no railing, so he was also guiding them so they wouldn't fall while playing. Apparently they blew the Rolling Stones out of the water as the opening, from what I hear.

[@7thsealord888]

Knebworth, in England, is where this happened. There are YTs of that performance, which is absolutely amazing. The Rolling Stones apparently stayed off stage for nearly an hour afterwards.

[@Elerad]

You are correct. No Billy Powell on piano in the studio version. That's a lot of why I like this version so much. That and it's so much fun getting to watch Gaines, Collins, Rossington, and Wilkeson just playing their freaking minds out.

[@ikonix360]

The slide guitarist was so into his playing as though it was only him and his guitar. That insanely focused playing makes the song so much better.

[@BullseyeForever24]

Yes just 3 month later it was over just in a twinkling of an eye so so sad 😢

[@robertboss8883]

I just LOVE how you FEEL the music... You looked like you were there with them....Well Done young lady!!!

[@jdbuscemi8181]

You do a great job!!!❤

[@matskarlsson3219]

Hi Sarah! "Lynyrd Skynyrd" One of the 1970s best band!

[@jokuz9133]

You are such a beautiful young lady. Thank you for this. This was skynrds gift to mankind right before their plane crash

[@dstonetprs]

It’s worth hearing the studio version. The live version shows the emotion in the crowd but doesn’t give you the same musical experience.

[@timothybenetti5322]

That guitar solo melts my face and still gives me chills. Every friggin time.

[@oldmanghost219]

Free Bird !!!! One of my top 2 favorites . The Other - Sweet Home Alabama. -- The plane crash was not long after this concert on 10/ 20/1977. I saw them in Anaheim CA about a month before the crash. 6 died. lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist and vocalist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve's older sister), assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, Captain Walter McCreary and First Officer John Gray. Steve had just joined the band replacing guitar player and one of the 3 writers of Sweet Home Alabama Ed KIng. Cassie was afraid of the plane and was going to ride in the equipment truck but was talked into flying. RIP

[@peggiebradley7434]

1977 and I was 17 years old. I'm 63 now, and love seeing the crowd. We had so much fun in the 70:S and 80:s Thank you for sharing.

[@marisa5359]

Another amazing song by this incredibly talented band. Always digs deep into my soul. This performance of it is particularly moving knowing what was shortly to come...

[@anjheidebrink]

It brings me Sooooo Much Joy to see younger generations enjoying & appreciating legendary bands & Rock N Roll, Rock On 🤘👊👍😁🥰

[@jaernihiltheus7817]

One of the best songs of all time. It's a non-stop party after the second chorus and EVERYONE is invited.

[@chuckwilliams8015]

This group has gotten me to 60 years old. Every song has a life lesson. This song gives me a great feeling after listening hundreds of times. Great choice, try all their albums. Thank you

[@charleshall9755]

Same for me...76 years old and I've been a LS fan since 1973. Saw them in concert 4 times before the freebird went down....

[@robinbeerman4726]

Greatest guitar solo.

[@MikeMoore-p3m]

I was in high school when this was made. I've been to several Skynyrd concerts. It's an experience you never forget. Love seeing younger generation exploring music I grew up on and love to this day. Thank you and God bless

[@scottp.2995]

Greatest guitar solo EVER!

[@davidpost428]

Yes! This is why you do reactions! For me, this performance is THE epic rock song of all time along wth Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven". Guaranteed that everyone in that crowd was higher than a kite! The only way to go to a concert in those days was completely wrecked!

[@scottgorski7931]

That guitar solo is still going on somewhere.

[@ElMatadoros]

Also maggot brain is epic for me. Just incrrdible solo

[@richklein955]

The whistle sounds in the beginning are meant to mimic a bird ( Free Bird)

[@keymack2477]

I know the dueling guitar solos are the highlight of this song, but I also love the piano parts! Some other fans who know more about Skynyrd may correct me but I believe they "discovered" their pianist from among the crew that set up and took down the stage and handled the equipment. They heard him playing around on the piano, and eventually had him join the band! Or at least that is what I remember, with this poor old memory of mine!! Take care and keep on rocking!!

[@SarahDengler]

Thank you Key🙂

[@Gutslinger]

Yeah, that's basically the story I was told. I was told Ronnie, himself, was the one who asked him to join. But I didn't research the sources myself.

[@delorispoindexter5663]

This is how the story goes.billy was a roady.and the band had freebird song almost finnished.billy wanted the band to hear a piano part he had wrote.after he played the opening beginning to freebird.he blew everybody away.ronny said to Billy you been working for a a year.and did not tell me you could play a piano.like a angel.so rite there and then he hierd Billy to play the piano.he was clasicly trained.he was one on the best piano players ever

[@markhopkins222]

@@delorispoindexter5663 No that is not the story but some correct things in it. Billy knew Leon the bass player. And when Leon joined the band Billy was a roadie for them. They were in a hotel it was raining and they could not load the van with equipment. Billy saw a piano no one knew he was a classically trained pianist, He sat down and said if I was going to play freebird it would sound like this. And everybody freak Ronnie asked him why he had not said anything and Billy said I did not think anyone would want a piano in a rock band, He started playing with them in 1972. Freebird was written by Allen when he was 16. The band started in 1964 and yes Billy was the man when it was just Allen and Gary because Ed left Billy was a star with his fingers on the keys.

[@billwalker7556]

Yes. Billy "Mr Keys"Powell was a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd. When Ronnie heard Bill play the piano he became a part of the band. Billy Powell was a classically trained pianist.

[@pamagnolia]

One of kind!! Fabulous band and performance!! And the crowd!! Just think, those beautiful young people are grandmas and grandpas now! I’m so glad you got to see this Sarah!! 😅

[@SarahDengler]

Mee toooo! Thanks Pa

[@Isleofskye]

I know ! It's extraordinary:)

[@bobbymcquoid6791]

Thank you for the best reaction .. your face showed me what I felt the first time I heard this song growing up in the 1970s .. thank for putting a smile of joy on my face

[@daseguin]

Beautiful reaction ! This is the greatest live performance in all of history.

[@francoisdavid1267]

I felt exactly the same as you : "I Can"t Take this!" So POWERFULL! You are very emphatic!

[@oldmanghost219]

Free Bird is one of 2 epic guitar Pieces. The other is from the Outlaws - "Green Grass and High Tides" Henry Paul told Songfacts that this song is not about marijuana, but about deceased rock and roll luminaries, and the title, he says, was taken from the 1966 "Best Of" collection by the Rolling Stones called Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)

[@dalebaxley5698]

Skynyrd's greatest song live in 75 maybe 76 Jacksonville Florida you had to be there😢😂

[@konstantinosarvanitidis3324]

Bravo Sarah, beautiful! One of the best guitar solos ever! Grüße aus München Sarah und frohe Weihnachten wünsche ich dir! 🤘🏻

[@SarahDengler]

Ebenso 🙂

[@Gutslinger]

I absolutely love that style of piano in their music. It works so well. There's a great piano section in their song called "Tuesday's Gone".

[@johnkendall6558]

also, "Call Me The Breeze"

[@timgard7091]

It's a shame people only hear this Sweet Alabama, they put out 5 albums, before the carpenter took em away

[@Gutslinger]

@@timgard7091 It is a shame that a lot of reactors only seem to listen to the one biggest or most recent hit by a band/artist, but I personally can't listen to Sweet Home Alabama anymore. Lol It's way too overplayed and commercialized too much for me to listen to anymore.. Like you said, they put it on 5 albums. Lol

[@luislopez1800]

Your genuine reaction and excitement are so infectious. Thank you for taking the time to review this classic band and special song. Stay Awesome Sarah.

[@willieyoung4818]

I absolutely LOVE THIS !!!!!! Thank you for your willingness to enjoy something that someone else enjoys..

[@Gutslinger]

It's weird for me to think that I'm now 2 years older than Ronnie, there. I still perceive him as being older. He certainly looks older than me, I think, at 29. They're one of my dad's favorite bands, as well as one of mine.

[@tonydelapa1911]

Sarah, I hope you get an opportunity to be part of a big concert crowd like this someday. You belong right up front! I’ve heard this song so many times that I am kind of over it but so glad I clicked on this to see how much you enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Best reaction ever to my favorite song. God Bless. JT

[@frankhatton2089]

I saw them in April of 1977 right after my 17th birthday best show ever.

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

Best band, ever! ❤️🎶❤️🎶

[@chuckfoster4276]

And the crowd went WILD! My kind of music when I was growing up. Would have been so great to be there live with all the crowd. Great video and great reaction, Sarah! ❤❤

[@steverakes6182]

Skynyrd, 38 Special, and Molly Hatchet were all from my home town Jacksonville, Florida and Lynyrd Sknnyrd put on a show at my high school before they ever cut a album. They were gods in the south.

[@bobkupi9905]

Shortly after this concert the band was involved in a plane crash. 6 were killed including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines. Many others were injured. RIP.

[@SarahDengler]

Oh no!😰

[@B4NDllKOOT_]

Yeah this sucked for the band

[@steverakes6182]

@@B4NDllKOOT_ It sucked for us.

[@jimwilson9371]

Yeah, still have the tickets to see them in Evansville Indiana 3 days after the crash. Sad deal

[@karowak1]

Great reaction Sarah. I love to see you kids enjoy this like I did back then. Thank you for not stopping during the guitar solo

[@paulflowers786]

New subscriber. Love your energy and vibe, looking forward to more from you beautiful....

[@weldonbailey1005]

Loved loved LOVED ur reaction. Saw Lynyrd Skynyrd live a couple times but the one that stands out was the concert @ Rickwood Field Bham AL July 4th, 1975. I was 15 yo and it was a giant outdoor party. They sold draft beer @ $0.50 / plastic cup from various keg stands. Had to get someone old enough to buy the beer tickets from a separate stand. The weed was free flowing and passed down the line everywhere. Cops were everywhere as security but hassling no one...unless to stop skirmishes before they grew. Couple bands then Montrose and lastly LS. What a frkn great concert. Possibly the best live band I ever witnessed. My first love was Led Zeppelin and got to see them live as well but damn Lynyrd Skynyrd was great. LS played so hard and so late the city had to cut the juice to end the show. One great party and a great memory, foggy as it may be. MARK

[@80srocker67]

Ronnie wasn’t from this world and there will never be another. Rip

[@timgard7091]

Tell little brother, tribute band

[@jimmieblanton810]

Absolutely love your reactions, so I subscribed. You seem so real and genuine. Keep it up sweetie!

[@stephenkittle6586]

Saw them TWICE!!!! 😁😍🔥🎸🐐😁😍🔥🎸🐐😁😍🔥🎸🐐😁😍🤯😢😢😢RIP!!

[@michaelklassen9486]

When you break out goose bumps,so do i.

[@cosimoamore4349]

Can you imagine haveing that talent and powerfull presence wow excellent. praise YAH always.

[@brianbrennan773]

69 years old still love free bird

[@ninocarmilla1953]

from Italy I say, this is the best reaction I've seen. Thank you

[@westtxmutt]

Good Vibrations

[@stevedahlberg8680]

I have seen a lot of your reactions but this was really wonderful. Just to see you experience what they were. I mean I was a little kid when I was hearing their albums on the radio and they were my jam going through Junior High and I can't tell you how much they meant and then that tragic plane crash in 1977 which was actually I believe in the same year after this concert. Not long later. It just ended it all and it was just so tragic and I'm sure you can appreciate that having seen this and even just listening to their music obviously. It was devastating to me. But I still listen and love their music it's amazing. They have such a rich catalog up until that point. It's wonderful to see somebody just be open to it and understand how emotional and Powerful it was not just for them as great musicians but for massive crowds of people. And they didn't play short sets. They would play two hour sets. Every song was an endurance and a workout. They were just one of those bands that just was in the right time at the right place and they had it all. They really had it. And that's why all those people were there. Thank you for your beautiful reaction.

[@SarahDengler]

Thank you so much Steve

[@Gutslinger]

It was only a few months after this, I think on Oct 20th that they had the plane crash. The first time the remaining band members went back on stage, it was with Charlie Daniels.. I highly recommend seeing a documentary on them.

[@metalmark1214]

Glad you enjoyed this one live Sarah. Total kick ass guitar.

[@glennallen239]

I found your Channel looking for Free Bird reactions!

[@SarahDengler]

Glad you did!😀

[@bella-xp7qd]

To think a few months later we would lose Steve, Cassie and Ronnie as well as a few management members in a plane crash. 20 others survived.

[@44JMK]

An amazing song and GREAT reaction. Sadly, this was a fitting goodbye for that group, as less than 4 months later, singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Steve Gaines were killed in a plane crash. The surviving members formed the Rossington-Collins band, then, in 1987, Johnny Van Zant replacing hus brother on vocals, they reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd. Gary Rossington died on Sunday, March 5th, 2023. He was the kast surviving member of this band.

[@suecook1326]

This was in July. On Oct. 20, 1977 they were flying to a show and they crashed. The lead singer died, along with the guitarist with the shortest hair and his sister, a backup singer. A band manager and both pilots also died. The others were injured as well. Lynyrd Skynyrd made a hell of an impact despite a shortened career. The lead singer's brother put together a tribute band with the same name a few years down the road and they recently retired from touring.

[@vangreen9098]

Yes we still remember you Ronnie

[@Tuesdays_Gone]

It is MUCH better than the album version.

[@jamesmay7385]

Great reaction, love you

[@williamcabell142]

That is Southern Rock! They invented it!

[@macbas6554]

Thanks for Your reaction, good classic rock. Sarah, time to "Bass Gang" - Mad World , this is my sugestion for You

[@SarahDengler]

Thank you 🙂

[@lastedain450]

First time discovering your channel. Enjoyed your reaction and you seem to be one of those people that can genuinely appreciate music and let it take you away. Glad you played the live version because of course with the insane guitar dueling but it also highlights the piano. Peace.

[@SarahDengler]

Thank you 🙂

[@dalebaxley5698]

Just had to see them live in concert 75 + 76 Freebird will never die not to mention 20 other songs😅❤😢

[@dianesmallwood6182]

Sarah I just love ya. You are the best.

[@oldtimeRaiderfan]

That is the baddest anthem for us rockers ever. I saw them twice

[@jeffkharpoharpo3472]

Lots of Birds were freed that day!!

[@scottgorski7931]

In the 1970's outdoor stadium concerts were an event. Promoters would put together 3 or more bands and tour the country. At this concert Skynyrd wasn't the main act it was Peter Frampton which is why all the young girls are there. Skynyrd was the act before Frampton and after this performance Frampton said if they were allowed to play Freebird at the July 4th show before he came on he wouldn't perform. The crowd had no energy left for Frampton after this song. Oh Yeah; all those girls in the crowd are grandmas now.

[@bcelgato2908]

Loved your reaction to this! Very similar to the way it blew my mind too! 😎🤘

[@George-ux6zz]

That's a sea of humanity

[@jokuz9133]

The piano player was just a rodie to embarrassed to tell the others he played classical music. When the guys went to lunch he wrote the piano part & one of the guys came back & heard him & they went right into recording

[@billwalker7556]

Even though Billy wasn’t paid much to be a roadie, he remained faithful to Skynyrd for nearly two years. Finally, while Billy was setting up for Skynyrd at a show in 1972, he saw a piano in the corner of the room and started playing his own take on “Free Bird.” That was the moment Ronnie knew Billy’s talent had to be utilized, as Billy recalled: “Ronnie VanZant came up to me (Billy Powell) and said, ‘You mean to tell me you’ve been playing the piano like that and you’ve been workin’ for us for a year….’, And I said, ‘Well, you know, I’ve been classically trained most of my life.’ So, right then and there, he said, ‘We need a keyboard player.'”

[@jokuz9133]

@@billwalker7556 thank you. I had it off

[@billwalker7556]

@@jokuz9133 you are welcome.

[@ninjar0se867]

I'm adding a comment to my "like" because your reaction was awesome and I want to help the algorithm to lead others here. Thanks.

[@stevensapyak7971]

12.7.22. Now give a listen to …..🎸That Smell®️….. by Skynyrd™️

[@chrisfowler7405]

Question: "Why don't we hear southern rock anymore?" Ed King: "There isn't anyone left that can play it."

[@jackiegoodspeed1849]

Perfect reaction. You're not the same person.

[@cosimoamore4349]

Hey you again, thats cool gotta love your passion. Watch the tragic story of their plane crash, so so sad R.I.P. rocking brothers,this song changed lives. praise YAH always.

[@mik9124]

Girls- Power Rules the World !

[@mattwilliams5368]

Thats how you play!!!

[@cutbaitkenny]

hope you check out more Skynyrd, best live band bar none!

[@jameslaforce8436]

wooooooooooooooooooooooow ty ty ty

[@henryviii6341]

the most emotional song ever for me. bearing in mind what happened to the Band ✈️ 💥

[@phishhead76]

You are adorable!!

[@magnuskjellman1606]

Check the audience. That´s how your grandma looked in the 70s

[@J3scribe]

If you were a Skynard fan in the 1970's, this was not your favorite song. It wasn't Simple Man. It wasn't Call Me The Breeze. Or Give Me Back My Bullets. Free Bird was fun and lively, but it wasn't an anthem. Still ain't in my mind; give me Curtis Lowe. Or Give Me Three Steps. Now yer talkin'!

[@kevinmahaffy9272]

Lol - funny to think the audience is now your grandparents age!

[@RonnieClontz-cg8zi]

Girl, you don't even got into yet. Songs they got into yo brain 🧠

[@dalebaxley5698]

Yeah saw that with the big tongue sticking out actually I had a bootleg tape of this recording with the stones hard to make out the words on a bootleg tape but it but ride along with the new movie which came out in the early 90s? Have the Jacksonville newspaper the day after gave it to someone else who appreciate it Bad to the Bone😂

[@George-ux6zz]

It's like the whole stadium is a mosh pit

[@rehanhermawan7763]

Please react to "gun n roses - november rain"

[@SarahDengler]

Added, thanks 🙂

[@KimmyGibson]

Cleveland, Ohio....about the same year, my very first concert ... Lynyrd Skynyrd. But to be honest, I hated this type of music and the 'disco' music that came after it. It was about this time that I changed my radio station to Cleveland's 'oldies' station and started listening to music of the 50's and 60's :)

[@mikem8563]

10 years after at woodstock Alvin Lee

[@rodneystarcher6780]

Listen to some early REO Speedwagon like golden county or 157th riverside Avenue

[@chipsfalling8625]

Back when women, even at rock concerts, still wore scarves on the hair. It wasn't that long ago. When you are young time is twice as long yesterday as it is today.

[@randysteele4316]

THE FUCKING BASE PLAYER IS GREAT

[@bobatl4990]

I saw them at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park NY in June 1977 and they sounded exactly the same…. they rehearsed over and over because they wanted their songs to sound the same at every venue. Sadly, in 4 months their plane would crash.

[@carlbaker7242]

Ever once in a while somethings happens in a world, like the Lunar eclipse , world leaders making peace and this performance. Thank goodness we can enjoy this at our on convenience.

[@spencershaw4419]

At 9:55 you can clearly see Jesus himself rocking-out!