Lynyrd Skynyrd bandmates talk about Ronnie VanZant and life on the road as the real Lynyrd Skynyrd

Ed King, Artimus Pyle, Leslie Hawkins and JoJo sit and talk about the legend Ronnie Van Zant. We hope you enjoy this in depth video. Thank you for watching.
video by Tony Beazley/Rick Broyles©2009

[@FloraBama]

Wow! Artie really nailed it regarding Ronnie. The man had the greatest stage presence of anyone I have ever seen without even moving outside a 10 foot radius. He had that confidence and that self esteem matched by no other. He put all of his emotions into every song he wrote and that's what made them so great. Ronnie was very short in stature, but you never saw Ronnie wearing these tall stacked cowboy boots, he was happy with who he was.

[@BST-lm4po]

Ha! And Ronnie wasn't afraid to throw fists either!

[@PatriciaLen66]

Yes, usually wearing flip flops! Sometimes barefoot. :)

[@Chris-di2fv]

He funny thing about Ronnie is looks like lacked Rythem it he wouldn't move but his Rythem would be in facial expressions he had Rythem e didn't me his body like other but you can see he had it ...He was a unique musician man and he was never and won't be replaced he was God sent

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

@@Chris-di2fv you lack spelling

[@onazram1]

@@BST-lm4po It's really too bad for that because it led to Ed leaving the band...

[@dannyd1572]

Ed really seemed like just a plain ol' nice guy.

[@jr13227]

He really was. There’s some KZbin videos out of him going through his guitar collection just before his death. Rip.

[@Abored_Angel_]

One of my step dads friends (we are both Skynyrd fans and guitar players) actually worked on Ed’s guitar a lot and Ed always sent his guitar there. One day he saw Ed at a public space and said “hey, I’m your guitar guy!” And Ed told him to fuck off

[@doubletake1238]

The last normal Californian. RIP Ed.

[@anndaniels3545]

@@doubletake1238 100%

[@barryhall2760]

He was I friended him on Facebook and we messaged some. He was just a good musician. He was on a episode of Moonshiners.

[@DM80srock]

Ed King is the sometimes forgotten member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. His work will always live on in their music.

[@TonyBeazley]

DM80srock True that!!!

[@DavidSmith-ss1cg]

DM80srock - Ed's story is extraordinary and adds to the amazing mix that made Lynyrd Skynyrd happen, the rock star studio pro who recognized Ronnie as a real life genius, a true diamond in the rough...so he joined the group in any role, just to be part in it, so he played bass to start. He dropped out of the group after the grueling touring in 1974, and now, 40-odd years on, he is glad to be alive, honored and can play when he wants but doesn't have to tour.

[@josephliptak]

David Smith Ed was a helluva guitar player. Even before Skynyrd I was digging his Strawberry Alarm Clock Band with Incense and peppermint

[@Sammoga_Yeddi]

Sadly we lost him today. He was genius. :(

[@scottsanders2641]

That is weird Goran, I decided to watch the Showtime documentary on the same night he passes...great guitar player and he seemed like a cool dude

[@sevinstorey4365]

NEVER wrote a lyric down. Raw genius. He told Bob Burns one time "if it ain't worth remembering it ain't worth keeping"!

[@edcollins9377]

Maybe he didn''t know how to write.

[@PurpleDreki]

@@edcollins9377 He definitely knew how to write...

[@JokersWild70]

That is genius. I just wonder where he got these great lyrics in his head from?

[@countessratzass5408]

@@JokersWild70 Some people have the ability to multi-track in their head. They hear things other people ignore, rhythms, conversations in the grocery store, etc.

[@JokersWild70]

@@countessratzass5408 I retain the most minute details of music. Album year releases, producers, engineers, and a whole boatload of useless facts about bands or musicians that most people would never know about. For instance, Randy Rhoads wore Capezio dance shoes with a Latin heel for his stage shoes, lol. Shit like that. Writing lyrics in my head is just not something that I can imagine. That's just a different skill IMO.

[@bishlap]

Ronnie was no racist, and even if he was, I'd still love him and his music-PERIOD

[@American-131]

Damn straight me too

[@BST-lm4po]

I think the song "things going on" puts to rest any thoughts of Ronnie hating on anyone!! What's amazing is that song is off their first album! Ronnie was wise beyond his years!

[@bkftcoast]

Every time Artimus talks of Ronnie he throws in how much he misses him, crushes me every time. what a great Love for a friend and a terrible loss between brothers. God Bless those guys!

[@richdiscoveries]

It reminds me of the way Krist Novoselic talks about Kurt Cobain in interviews.

[@richardprisuta8150]

Amen to that ! Wonder what they would all be doing now if they were all still together?

[@joleneloveland2942]

@Roger B yes, unfortunely the money and business aspects always seem to intrude. But Ronnie knew the true value of a loyal friendship and kept them separate. The man had a set of values we should all aspire to have.

[@danielrice7234]

I know Artimus and he truly is a special man! Hall of fame, celebrity... it has nothing to do with how I feel about him as a wonderful human being

[@countvond233]

@@richdiscoveries Funny. On an Unplugged outtake, Kurt hears Pat picking Alabama and he perks right up and joins in.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

Man, that ending brought tears. We all wish Ronnie was here right now too. We all miss him. God bless his beautiful soul. A raw genius of songwriting.

[@varonymous6452]

I love Artimus Pyle. Such an intelligent and well spoken dude and a great drummer too. You can tell he really loved Ronnie.

[@larrycourtney8893]

I've always thought Artimus Pyle was an awesome drummer, really slick and powerful, way underrated.

[@MaximumDecibels]

Pyle also claims to run from the plane crash to get help...thats a lie. he might have said that he went to get help to give himself an alibi...but too many facts from Eye Witness's disprove Pyles claim. Help was on its way Already before Pyle left the scene..to go and 'shower' Pyle left them there to die. end of story.

[@tlee9484]

Absolutely.

[@ccccc2165]

you can really tell that artimus and ed really loved Ronnie a lot.

[@kevinmullins3442]

I know this gal who swears she met Artimus in '76 -'77, and she said Artimus talked about nothing but Ronnie, and how amazing he was...even before the crash!

[@k.g.alatore355]

they loved him, but they knew what kind of a bastard he could be luckily towards the end of his life Ronnie mellowed out and maintained his sobriety

[@68air]

Artimus is the only one who shows emotion constantly when remembering Ronnie.

[@kevsmith4032]

This is solid gold for Skynyrd fans. Thanks for putting it up. Big fan of Ed King here.

[@TonyBeazley]

@kevsmith4032. Brother you're very welcome thank you for appreciating the hard work Rick and I did... 🤟✌🎸🎸🎵☮

[@JerryEshbaugh]

RIP Ed !

[@Bbendfender]

What a shame that most of them are gone. What a great, hard working band.

[@randallswalker7915]

Greatest rock band there has ever been in my opinion such a tragic loss of talent shure wish they hadn't got on that plane that day

[@johnnoack1459]

Just by age, coupled with the life they led, if anyone who lived that life is alive, WOW !! Look st Gary now, glad he is still here, but he looks like death warmed over.

[@johnnoack1459]

@Billy Hill they called it ' hell house ' in that heat an humidity it cud only be a hell house, no a/c in Florida humidity oh yeah

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

AMEN ❤

[@owlperchedsilo3745]

They are all gone now

[@parkestanley2436]

I NEVER get tired of listening to Skynyrd!!! Greatness stands the test of time

[@TonyBeazley]

@parkestanley yes sir never!!

[@parkestanley2436]

@@TonyBeazley when I played lead guitar in bands years ago, we did several Skynyrd classics: Freebird, Gimme Three Steps (I sang that one), Sweet Home Alabama, Simple Man, Tuesdays Gone. Wanted to do more including Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet but these were mostly Country Bands. Great memories!

[@MrShane3581]

Atriums loved Ronnie in every interview I've ever heard him do you can tell he had a tremendous amount of respect and love for him.

[@gewdferyew4844]

REST IN PEACE ED KING!!

[@amyntut]

and also JoJo Billingsley.

[@overdriven77]

Once I sent a ''fan'' message to Ed King (right here on yt, he's got an account), and he actually replied to me. Great guy! And he told me that playing bass is more fun than playing guitar.

[@sevinstorey4365]

I had the same interaction with him on FB. He was a real gentleman. We traded personal stories on private message and he always did his best to answer any of the band questions I had. R.I.P. brother

[@jmromero6381]

And a damn sight harder.

[@countvond233]

@@jmromero6381 Yes it is.

[@jackbnimble7517]

Facts

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

He's right. It is.

[@ChuckHickl]

Spent more time reading the comments than watching the video and all I have to say is WOW, there are a lot of people here who love this band and know a whole lot of details about them. I'm 53 now and was a little young to see the beginning of LS but do enjoy their music to this day. Glad to see you all still have so much passion for you favorite band.

[@Carol-D.1324]

What a great time it was! Their music is STILL around in 2019. They were not one hit wonders, they had staying power. You gotta be GOOD to do that folks.

[@brendabrown7864]

Cari D They were absolutely amazing been listening to them since 1972. They’ll never be another band like them🥰

[@lauriemiller8825]

Still around in 2023❣️❣️❣️ And Will be Forever❣️

[@zoso1980]

No matter what Skynyrd did under Ronnie Van Zant it was top notch. I love Pyle's comment about Ronnie writing from the heart and standing there as an equal not some jumping bean. He stood there on his own with dignity and class making the music completely memorable. Completely agree too that Ronnie's heart and soul is what will keep that version of Skynyrd relevant for many, many years to come.

[@frankcastle4059]

Navy seals

[@scottshort3718]

The genius of Ronnie VanZant. Truly amazing band, simply the best EVER!!

[@autocrow]

That was good! Well spoken. The best Lynryd Skynryd video I've seen. Powerful songs, great guitar riffs. Their music was incredible and will live on forever.

[@douglasblum2765]

Ed was great he deserves his due his part in history

[@beckyt6776]

Thank you for keeping this Real,love it❤️😎😎😎

[@beckyt6776]

Wish life was still like it was when music was About life and how great it was a thanks for the Great Music ❤️❤️😎

[@TonyBeazley]

@@beckyt6776 Very glad you liked our video. ... I feel the same way you do . The old days were so much better ❤

[@anndaniels3545]

Such a big loss, RIP Ronnie..You're forever loved here!

[@burker1301]

No other southern band will ever match the talent of the original band.

[@MrMrfreedom1]

I agree, but Blackberry Smoke sure comes close?

[@edwinjewell5359]

You could not replace Ronnie Van Zandt end of story.

[@ronlingron389]

MrMrfreedom1 I’m okay with calling them both icons of Southern Rock, and given how quickly the Skynyrd fireball passed through the music scene, and how long we’ve waited for someone to pick up the torch, it’s great to see a supremely talented band like Blackberry Smoke do the honors.

[@michaelgreen5206]

Allman Brothers!!!

[@Mac-jx8uj]

Marshall Tucker band , Allman Brothers !

[@mackreed2097]

Ed King was part of Skynyrd ' s success

[@joleneloveland2942]

Indeed. And Ronnie would never deny that! Gosh I miss him!

[@TonyBeazley]

Ed was truly a big part of getting Skynyrd into the top 10 ....

[@Mars-]

Ed was key to their rise to success. All of their biggest hits were on the 1st 3 albums with Ed ,Ronnie and Allen as song writers. Freebird -Allen Alabama-Ed Simple man -Ronnie

[@kenperk9854]

@@Mars- but they were on the doorstep of going even higher with the new lineup. Another HUGE What if! 🙁

[@Mars-]

@@kenperk9854 Possibly ya But the point was to emphasize the importance of Ed in the early line up of the band. Comparison with Gaines is a kind of different topic. Not one that I would attempt anyway as each had different styles and came at different times for the band.

[@johnevans2804]

I was born in feb of 77.... my mom was 19 and a die hard Skynyrd fan. She kept all of her concert stubs and she saw Skynyrd a few times....once at the Fairgrounds in Nashville.....I envy her soooooo much but glad of it......just wish I coulda seen them in the DAY!

[@bloozedaddy]

RIP Ed King.....you were THE MAN !!!!

[@jamesdelaney3797]

Every time I hear a Skynard tune, I can't wait for the next one

[@MrMrfreedom1]

40 years come and gone next month. And yet the music lives on. 6 people lost their lives in a tragic, possibly avoidable, aircraft accident. There is simply no room for hate and negativity towards the content and poster of this video. I have watched this video and listened to the interviews many times over, thank you Tony Beazley.

[@mariag4677]

"Sweet Home Alabama" has always been a timeless classic to me....I NEVER tire of it...every time I hear it, I have to raise the volume, and the song naturally makes you want to start dancing!

[@penelopejenkins322]

My 2 yr old grandson loves Sweet Home Alabama! But the version he loves is live in Oakland with Ronnie behind the microphone. He calls it my song maw maw!! But throughout the song he says Ronnie Maw Maw Ronnie! What would Ronnie think about today in 2019 a little boy 2 years old can pick his voice out?

[@stevejohnston8543]

@Maria You bet, I feel the same way. Just learned all the parts last year. Had a ton of fun jamming it. One of the best American bands EVER!

[@davidphilllips9349]

Cannot wait to go see them I’m going to see them with Hank Williams Junior August 30, 2019 and Camden New Jersey I cannot wait this will be my second time seeing them

[@robertpersall98]

I ALWAYS "turn it up!"

[@alvinwine5665]

Ronnie was the best , damn I miss him and also wish he was here today can you imagine the music he would have brought forth .

[@princesspinkfloyd]

I love the fact that you Tony included the 2 (at that time) surviving Honkettes in your interview. Leslie & JoJo look so beautiful, it was a treat to hear them speak about how they sang, what their inside structure was, who did and played what. Awesome video, so wonderful to see the girls of the band. R.I.P. Cassie & JoJo...Playing that great gig in the sky

[@jenniferrayhill2000]

Leslie looks so good here!

[@lauriemiller8825]

The Girls Were a BRILLIANT Addition to the Band❣️👌 And They were Right There!! Sisters of the Musicians Man!!! Meant to Be Magic❣️❣️👌

[@TonyBeazley]

She still looks great! 🙂

[@johnwerner4925]

Deborah Jo White was a customer of mine at my shoe retail and repair business. She was such a wonderful person. A really bubbly kind woman. I can't remember how it came to the conversation one day that she was a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd. She didn't broadcast it but I probably had to take her name for some repair work and I was a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd since I was in the eighth grade actually starting with their first album and getting to see them before they were well known open for Wet Willie in Birmingham's Boutwell Auditorium. She remained a customer for years and one day she left a magazine for me which was an interview she'd done in a Christian publication. It was great knowing she was included when the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. She is greatly missed in my town of Cullman, Alabama. I enjoyed seeing this and thank the poster.

[@TonyBeazley]

Great story John! Thanks for sharing that.

[@LusaOfi]

Great story! Thanks for sharing. I’m not far from there.

[@davidh6818]

The only reason the JoJo and Leslie (the two surviving Honkettes)were at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Lynyrd Skynyrd is someone(who wishes to remain anonymous)paid their airfare so they could attend.Lynyrd Skynyrd has treated both JoJo and Leslie very badly since the plane crash,all at the behest of Judy Van Zant Jenness,and that's a damn shame....

[@riveraricardo008]

When i was a child of 15 i heard Lynyrd Skynyrd. The very first time i heard them was when i decided to move to America from England. In 1980 i came here. I have had good times and bad times. I have moved back Home 3 times. I have had more good times than bad. I have lived in many states, and many more i visited.... I can't say there is any special song that i like the most, but ALL there songs touch my soul..... Call me the Breeze is a song about me, because i to move a lot. I am the FreeBird Free to move and to roam around. To see the beauty of America...... And America is a beautiful country. Most Americans are good people....... Thanks Tony Beazley..... Regardless of what people say. What you did by getting this for people Like ME ( And others ) is a wonder to me.... Thanks again, and Peace be with us all everyone.... Rock on Lynyrd Skynyrd

[@photofather1]

him and Bon Scott died way to young imagine the music they would of given the world had they not died so young .. they to e are the best two song writers and vocalists

[@duanegriffith2501]

Right on bro! You just summed up everything that Southern Rock is about.

[@juliereminiec4937]

I was even younger.. 11 years old when I heard skynyrd

[@hardlines2635]

Call me the breeze is a JJ Cale song.

[@jeremyv4636]

Ed King: just so cool, honest, and straightforward. One helluva musician as well! They obviously left a deep impression on him

[@countvond233]

Saw the reunion in Sept. 1987. No one knew who Ed King was. They knew his name by the end of the night. Hands down the star of the show. He played the first Paul Reed Smith guitar I ever saw.

[@justjeph6927]

Yeah, and Strawberry Alarm Clock rules!

[@boke75]

Can't imagine what Skynyrd's legacy to Rock would've been had Ronnie not died that fateful October in 1977.

[@chrisbullen219]

It’s already a great legacy. No more needed to be said.

[@TonyBeazley]

thanks for watching it glad you liked it!!! Ed King really helped the band more than people think....Ed's the reason I love the band..

[@PatriciaLen66]

All LS fans will love this amazing compilation!! 👏

[@rpena8546]

Ed King was a big part of the sound and success of lynyrd skynyrd. But I have to add the sometimes forgotten piano player Billy Powell.

[@davidroberts2404]

R.I.P Ronny Van Zant. Gone but never forgotten.

[@melissasuejacks619]

I'm a Skynyrd fan till I die! These guys keeping the band going is an honor to the original group! I love u guys keep on rockin!

[@timothypartin8460]

Was the biggest skynyrd fan, but skynyrd died when the plane went down. No band should be calling themselves lynyrd skynyrd. Loved rossington Collins band, they should of kept that going

[@anndaniels3545]

@@timothypartin8460 hey Tim I'm late here but I saw Skynyrd in 87 Atlanta and it was nothing more than a cover band. I agree the band ended when Ronnie died. Loved Rossington Collins, PRIME TIME 🌟🌟🌟

[@JW-zs1pz]

Ed King and Ronnie were a great song writing pair. When Ed left the band, it left a huge hole of creativity in song writing. They were magic together and it showed in the albums that Ed was a part of making Skynyrd such a great band.

[@davidcoleman4291]

Think maybe better checkout songwriting credits ronnie and gary wrote more songs together than ronnie and Allen, ronnie and ed or ronnie and Steve. Yes ed had a lot to do with skynyrd sound but so did gary and allen

[@jonesy2111]

Agreed... Ed King was so underrated

[@frankmiller7721]

They treated Ed as an outsider...he was from California.

[@JW-zs1pz]

@@frankmiller7721 I know how that feels. I'm from California and have not lived there for 30 years, but the stigma of California is always there. Your not part of the group cause your not from wherever there from. Being from California has a bad thing associated with it for good reason. Sad, but true. Land of nuts and fruits is all I ever hear, 🙉.

[@williamsidis5489]

@@frankmiller7721 funny cause Ed brought that bluesy country twang into the band ,some good hard rock riffs also .

[@Thomasgene]

God Blessed us with Ronnie VanZant's talent! Turn It Up!

[@amosgodeaux1438]

Thomasgen

[@TheChristoph68]

I wish that it would have been possible to have Allen, Gary, Ed and Steve on stage or in studio just one time. could you just imagine what those four guitarist could have done together?! Now we have only Gary, Artimus and Leslie left here with us; but Ronnie has a hell of a band in Heaven: Bob, Larry, Leon, Billy, Allen, Steve, Ed, Cassie and JoJo all with Ronnie at the Front leading them in Awesome Music and in the down time some great fishin'!!!

[@oranstelly5393]

Kinda from da south, grew up on dis . Louisiana....

[@oranstelly5393]

Always had a following.

[@kilts4u2]

Great work Tony. Your devotion to LS is second to none. I'm about the same age of Ronnie and very few days go by that I don't lament that he's gone and I'm still around. .remembering their music. I've said it before but it bears repeating, HAD that lineup from '77 remained intact, LS would be in the same breath with the Beatles and the Stones in fame. Many, including me, think they already are. They were all brilliant musicians. We'll never forget them. Thanks Tony. Well done.

[@JerryEshbaugh]

Hmmmm do you think that plane crash was really an "accident"? Hate to start another conspiracy but you raise a very good point. Where they were headed with the addition of Steve would have been very disruptive to many of the "empire" acts of the time.

[@tome.302]

My all time favorite band, plain, and simple , no theatrics. Only a fan , but I really miss him, and them. Part of me was gone, when they were.

[@jaydee6837]

You are as Free as Birds Now... RIP: All original Members

[@justusshagoury2864]

Love this!!! This band just strikes a chord in me! Wow first Ive seen of Leslie Hawkins such a beautiful lady

[@stingylizard]

Thanks for sharing this. The band members that were NOT from inside the Jacksonville home-crew bubble seem to have seen Ronnie in a deeper light than those that grew up with him. Outside looking in,first seeing the genuis of RVZ at work must have been as epic for Ed,Artimus,Steve,The Honkettes as it would have been for anyone else. The original surviving members always seemed have shown a resentful tone towards Ronnie,as evidenced in several interviews. Poor Ronnie,always herding cats! Ha,what a badass he was. He went out like few get to...at the top of his game and forever remembered. Not bad,for a short kid from Shantytown!

[@russelledwards6941]

Why argue about who was better. The Band was great. No matter what lineup was there. Mainly because Ronnie Van Zant was one of the greatest songwriters in history

[@jodidolleslager1637]

The greatest a profit before his time

[@DexterHaven]

Ronnie was also a drill sergeant in rehearsal -- the reason he band was so well rehearsed and disciplined. They could play live like the studio, as in rehearsal. Ronnie was a task master. I like the story of the first time he met Allen Collins, who fled the scene.

[@seavasartwell1603]

Right on

[@harpoon_bakery162]

@@DexterHaven can you tell us that story? or summarize it? thanks man!

[@DexterHaven]

@@harpoon_bakery162 Allen Collins, who co-wrote and played lead guitar in "Free Bird," was the guitarist in another band in town when both were young. Ronnie's band battled him in a Battle of the Bands one night. Ronnie was impressed with his skill. At one point, Ronnie needed a new guitarist, so he asked where Allen lived. He drove over. Allen heard Ronnie was looking for him and recognized his car coming. Ronnie had the same rep back then, as a tough guy, not afraid to fight. When Ronnie pulled up Allen ran for his life out of the house got on his bike and rode away. Ronnie chased after him and then Allen climbed a tree to get away. Ronnie said he was not going to hurt him. He just wanted him to join the band! True story. ;)

[@slinginguitarman]

Ive watched several interviews of band members talk about ronnie,but artimus pyle is the only one that ive seen,that gets emotional at some point every time he talks about ronnie,you can tell there's a lot of love and respect there.

[@beatleme2]

Thanks for the upload man, Artimus got to me at the End, So miss Ronnie :( Keep flying it high my Southern Soldiers X

[@TonyBeazley]

beatleme2 You're welcome bro!!

[@Leatherface123.]

Rip Allen Collins greatest guitarist to ever hold a pick

[@kevdean9967]

That'd be Danny Gatton !!!

[@tedperry6466]

no disrespect to Allen, Gary or Ed. But Steve Gaines was the best guitarist in Skynyrd. What he accomplished with Street Survivors was just a drop in the bucket.

[@brads2330]

Roy Buchanan !!!

[@blair909]

Best Southern Rock band ever.

[@edpaul3312]

Thank you Tony Beazley....for preserving the memory of one of the best bands that ever played, and the one and only Ronnie Van Zant. What a damn shame he left us so soon!

[@hairdoggy]

Missing you Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, Allan, Billy, Leon, Jojo! Thank you for the incredible music that you made and touched all of our lives with! Ill see you on the other side Freebirds!

[@TonyBeazley]

Thank you as always for your nice compliments you give to me on my video work. I just want the public to know how really damn good Skynyrd band were with their music....

[@controllz__755]

I wish he were here too. I am only 15. Best band ever right here

[@crystalregan2481]

Yes Ronnie did know what he want definitely he was a a rebel lol... I will never forget in UK opened for the Rolling Stones...Mack Jagger told the band one rule don't walk on the tongue.. Lynyrd scary one is so what a real rock and roll band was! 😜 Free Bird was epic that Day.. Ronnie was pushing his guitarist Allan Collins Steve Gaines I freaking loved it 🤘😎 there is no weak Link in this band everybody was performing at a very high level they each could have gone on and done their own thing and would have excelled Powell everybody amazing! To me that was the best life performance of Free Bird! Across the pond didn't know it hit them🤘♥️🇺🇸 Ronnie Van zant had a present about him.. you knew he was a leader of that band and I believe that everyone respected him! Lynyrd Skynyrd would live forever! ♥️🇺🇸🤘😎

[@74dartman13]

I wish that I could have just the smallest fraction of the talent that Ronnie had! To come up with lyrics, straight from his heart and soul, that resonate with millions of people! Such a great talent he had! I think of him and Skynard almost every day, when I pick up my guitar. At least one or two of their songs are the first I play!👍😎🎸🎶

[@goldenruletv7301]

To think that RVZ never wrote a lyric down....amazing. R.I.P. RVZ, we miss you , brother.

[@robertpersall98]

After all these years, they still love the man! As we all do but they had that personal connection. He truly was their leader, without him, the band has lost it's way in my opinion.

[@stingylizard]

45 yrs ago,today. Fly on,Freebird

[@warrenfloyd2628]

Ronnie will live in our hearts forever!

[@GBeret83]

Ed King was and still is a fabulous guitar player. Having been born and raised in southern California, Ed had already tasted success in the music business with the Strawberry Alarm Clock and as part of the Beach Boys touring band before ever joining Lynyrd Skynyrd. I've always thought the primary thing that drove Ed away from the band when he left during the Nuthin' Fancy tour was that having been born and raised in the Los Angeles area was a different kettle of crawfish entirely than having been born in raised in the deep south on the west side of Jacksonville, Florida. The difference in those two settings back in the early 1970's was as different as daylight and dark and still is today. I think Ed always very much felt like the outsider of the group having been the only one who wasn't from Jacksonville, save Artimus Pyle, who was from the Carolina's and very much understood southern culture and the southern way of life.

[@gewdferyew4844]

he's dead

[@henriettastory9367]

Johnny Van Zandt’s wife

[@Brucev7]

He said he got tired of the fighting

[@pizmeusee]

Ed was burnt out. He was smart enough to know what that lifestyle can do to a person if your not careful . I loved watching him play. He was sooo freakin into it....A great guitar player and good human being. What a huge loss. RIP Ed

[@DexterHaven]

Awesome upload! Ronnie is a fascinating cat. I recall a story about him writing the lyrics to Free Bird in his head and someone said, "Aren't you going to write it down?" He said, "If you can't remember it, it ain't worth remembering."---A neat angle on writing. Old school, bard, oral-poet style. You could also tell he was the boss on stage.

[@davok73]

Lived loved and died for music .. best hard rock band ever .. !!

[@stevepetty3458]

Simple man , still stands the hairs on my back after listening to it thousands of times as it did the first . Songs can capture your emotions and quickly just become another song . Simple man is in a league of its own , from consistently delivering pure emotion on every level .A timeless masterpiece

[@TonyBeazley]

@Steve Petty .... me too brother! 💯

[@justjeph6927]

After living Jacksonville, and hearing the stories and stuff, I have a deep appreciation for Ronnie and his band's work. These songs will live on, and always be just as meaningful as hearing them the first time...Freebird!!!

[@bmillerdrums]

I fucking love Artimus P man. Such a down to earth, salt of the earth dude. God bless all of the Skynyrd family. Steve and Cassie I wish I knew ya... RIP

[@finndog2759]

The real Lynyrd Skynyrd!!! R.I.P.

[@MrClassicRock2011]

Ronnie Van Zant was the GREATEST songwriter to ever live. Skynyrd is the greatest band of all time. Hands down, no doubt about it.

[@ChristisKing-s7g]

Brad L my opinion as well

[@Dagger_323]

joe Costello Unnecessary comment, pretty obvious it's an opinion. A really solid opinion though, no doubt.

[@AnimeFan111000]

Brad L R.I.P Ronnie

[@kennethmills5470]

There is no one better. I miss Ronnie Van Zant .

[@leonardduke6791]

Brad Lambier no doubt

[@stephencrisp9641]

"Ronnie VanZant was the Greatest Showman l ever saw, Long live Lynard Skynyrd, ⚡✨🎸🎸🎸🎸🎹🥁🎤🎩🎵🎼🎶🇺🇲🎯

[@cvmaparadog]

Tony, thanks so much for sharing this!! Ronnie will live forever because his music will live forever!

[@trudaroof]

If Ronnie were alive today he would be furious at the level of disrespect that Ed & Artimus are given. He chose these monsters to be in his band for a reason.

[@smith7674]

+trudaroof My favourite 2 guys are Ed King + Artimus Pyle. Allen Collins was also my favourite.

[@joleneloveland2942]

ABSOLUTELY right, Thrudaroof!!!!! That's the integrity Ronnie had, that we speak of! He would have NO PROBLEM giving credit where credit is due! He was just that kind of guy! And he was no dummy, let that be known! Like you said they were there for a damn reason!

[@bethbartlett5692]

trudaroof THIS IS FACT !

[@bethbartlett5692]

Jolene Loveland You nailed it - INTEGRITY!

[@mauimig380]

OMG I love your comment. Ronnie was actually known to use his fist and none of this inter fighting bullshit would be happening. Ronnie LOVED Ed, Ed left for health reasons, nothing else. Not sure about Artimus. If he could play then Ronnie would have him, but if his playing has dropped as implied, then he'd be out. Ronnie took Gary and Allen to task, tpp well known, and no one was immune to getting the boot. Ronnie ruled the roost. His is so deeply missed.

[@Automedon2]

When I saw the show, the depth of emotion I felt was so great. It was as though every song was written for me. I had tears running down my face. Then when I looked around, I saw that other guys were experiencing the same thing. All these years later, I still play their music on an almost daily basis.

[@user-tr3kf9hs6g]

RIP Brother Ed King! Still missing Ronnin, Cassie, Steve, & Billy! We'll Hang on to Art & Garry as long as we can... We'll keep your music playing long as there is breathe in us.

[@raleighthomas3079]

YO MAMA you forgot Leon....

[@spookgook4903]

I miss Ronny man, I really do, I wish he was here right now. I felt that.

[@bethanyhickman1224]

sweet home alabama will be forever played for generations and generations the song is a classic and as long as that song survives the original band mates will never be gone

[@johnsisk6575]

+Bethany Hickman I remember early 70's, drinking Flaming Huricanes, being 16, underage but no one carded back then. and this was playing in all the bars in Underground ATLANTA

[@BillyBob-jb3yy]

I was at a wedding actually DR the DJ starts playing sweet home Alabama unreal everyone knows that song even kids as young as 20-22 crazy

[@vickianders7627]

hands down. LYNYRD SKYNYRD will always be my fav...listen to the words..good jams...

[@deanladue3151]

I think this sheds a little more light on just how essential Ed King was to the rise and success of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It was too bad that the excesses of the rock n roll lifestyle started to take their toll on Ed, which contributed to his leaving Skynyrd. But by his own admission, Ed would say it was for the best that he did. RIP Ed King. 🎸🙏

[@vlada]

Your post makes it seem it was Ed's excesses. It wasnt.

[@ougigaming8710]

Ed King what a classy person to give credit to Gary God bless Skynyrd in the music they have given us

[@larrytate5605]

Tony,..I cant thank you enough for sharing and preserving this info.

[@TonyBeazley]

Larrytate you are very welcome. Thank you for watching and being a Skynyrd fan my friend. 👍🏼

[@jameshepler62]

Incredible interviews ! Such great history. RVZ was an amazing talent. He really did have “raw genius,” & a vision along with a work ethic to get everything 100 percent. How many bands rehearsed as hard as Skynyrd. You can’t help but wonder what other music would have happened if the plane didn’t crash. RIP Ronnie. Your songs will go the distance. Hearing him sing “Simple Man” at the end was chills.

[@TonyBeazley]

@JamesHepler Thank you very much for your kind words James. I think alot of us wonder what might have been. It's a mystery.

[@BST-lm4po]

Ya, that's what's a shame, the hardest part was behind them! All of the practicing, all of the hard work. They finally were clicking on all cylinders! They could have made a fortune off of their music. (Actually the band name continued to generate a ton of money,....but that's another story). It's just a shame that Ronnie, Allen, and even Steve & Cassie didn't get to reap the rewards of all of their hard work. Even though Allen survived the plane crash, he was never the same. Just one tragedy after another. And his life was cut short too.

[@Exilemainstreet]

@TonyBeazley Thanks for putting all these clips up. I love all the great personalities in this band. Fascinating people, not the cookie cutter, boring "musicians" we have today.

[@sweetcaroline7679]

Such a wonderful down to earth Sal of the earth human being❤️🎵 RIP! Ed King, 🙏. 🦅

[@TonyBeazley]

@sweetcaroline Yes he truly was ❤

[@1927su]

Ed King had a lot of class. You’re still missed ! Rock in Peace

[@AGENTARMES]

Sweet Home was the 1st song I ever remember hearing. 4 years old. If it's the last song I ever hear that'll be just fine too.

[@kevincopeland2675]

I became a Skynyrd fan in 1978, did'nt know too much about the band prior to that, remembered "Sweet home Alabama from 1974 and it was by chance that my whole musical future would be changed by one person. I became friends with the local bakery owners son (we both attended a technical high school out of town, he a junior, and me a freshman) one day after school we were hanging out at the bakery and I was talking about my favorite band........Kiss...yikes and he said to me "Copey, Kiss sucks, you gotta start listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd, they're 100% better than Kiss" so for some reason I relented and went out and bought a 45 of the live version of Free bird and the rest is history!

[@troycrowder9942]

RONNIE was the king of rock n roll no telling what or were we would be in music today if RONNIE would have not lost his life in that crash one thing i do know for sure today's music would be better he was the greatest singer songwriter-artist of all time and a true southern gentleman what a shame to lose him the world would be better with him here we all should be grateful for the supreme music he left for us it is still touching people today rip RONNIE and GODbless all

[@craigfitzy1714]

Oh man. It’s 2019 and I’m tearing up for having watched this. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinkurtz4194]

Never will be anyone like Ronnie, not even Johnny, sorry Johnny he is non replaceable

[@brendawatchorn8398]

So true Kevin, I only listen to the original skynyrd. I can tell right away if its Ronnie singing. No one can replace his presence no one. Johnny does an amazing job but sorry I need the original skynyrd!,

[@edwinjewell5359]

Yep Ronnie was the real deal.

[@davidcoleman4291]

Johnny has said that, no one knows that more than johnny he's never tried to replace him so why condemn the man cause he "ain't as good as ronnie"

[@gameryt4172]

Ed, you are a beautiful soul. Praise God you were safe. Thank you for all your contributions to all that beautiful music.

[@jaxflfreebird]

I can't believe this video features LESLIE HAWKINS. WOW. I've NEVER, EVER, seen Leslie in a modern setting. WOW, Leslie Hawkins stepping out of the shadows. I hope she was rewarded financially. And wow, isn't she still a pretty lady. You know Leslie had damage to her face in the plane crash and had to have plastic surgery later. I'm glad some doctors were able to help Leslie out, not to mention the rest of the Skynyrd guys who lived through the plane crash.

[@jdhaynes17]

The greatest southern rock band ever, glad I grew up during their best days. I know the "band" still plays but when the plane crashed it was the end of southern rock, worse than when Stevie Ray pasted.

[@evangradick3608]

Hey man don't say that Stevie Ray vaughan died and hurt the world when lynyrd Skynyrd was in the plane crash that was the same and there not forgotten man.

[@juliereminiec4937]

southern Hard Rock band

[@kevdean9967]

That's a subjective opinion. I really like Skynard but Stevie, I fucking loved Stevie!!! Stevie was one of the best guys ever and I'm not even talking about his guitar playing, singing, or songwriting.

[@dawnmacwhinnie2103]

Ronnie was a man on a mission. Too bad that he left us. He left his mark in the world.

[@ramspace]

"music and water go very well together" is totally holistic. Love it.

[@tolerbearALTII]

Thank you for sharing this. All incarnations of Lynyrd Skynyrd was awesome.

[@jajanesaddictions]

We still miss you, @Ronnie Van Zant. #ronnievanzantwemissyou

[@waynegeekins7479]

Ed king was one hell of a axe player same go for Gary Allen steve

[@waynegeekins7479]

To C TV

[@mikedem755]

Ronnie tragic loss was irreplaceable 😢

[@cricket77166]

i loved lynyrd skynyrd, they were in my time, the best southern rock lol

[@havisdeese4118]

Like most all your southern bands they are some of the most I entertaining groups of people there are. Seen them three times in concert. Was never disappointed or bored. Rock on where eiver your at my friends. And in my opinion this wanna be band using the ole timers name is about nothing but thE all mighty $$$$.And good luck with that.

[@jonboy9912]

Great guitarist what a shame the band was cut short. RIP Ed!

[@joemonroe9402]

Thank you Jesus for sharing your love n peace with me...thank you for having my journey connect to the LS family..n the road goes on forever...💜🤴