Ronnie Van Zant

[Zomby Woof]

An excerpt from Billboard magazine's article on Skynyrd's induction into the Rock Hall of Fame this week:


Skynyrd tempered its rock'n'roll fire with insightful ballads and social consciousness. The band's debut album, "(pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd)" in 1973, not only boasted sizzling rockers like "Gimme Three Steps," but also keening ballads in "Tuesday's Gone" and the timeless anthem "Freebird." Lyricist Van Zant addressed such issues as gun control, social discrimination and environmentalism before they were fashionable.

-snip-

Ronnie Van Zant was a genius, and although his life and career needs no validation from the Hall of Fame, it's sweet acknowledgment of his talent. As the Drive-By Truckers said of him and Neil Young: "Rock stars today ain't half as real..."

[cssmall]

1. Very interesting.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. 'Gimme Three Steps'

was a "sizzling rocker"?

:wtf:



I won't even comment on "timeless anthem."

[Jamastiene]

4. Howdy.

How are you tonight, OR? I hear Skydyrd in my sleep. Their music is beyond popular in this area. Even I like one of two of their songs, although I must admit I didn't know about the activism. Kudos to them for that. You learn something new every day.

[WCGreen]

6. Sizzle.........

Timeless anthem....

Like Dust in the Wind.....

[maveric]

7. "I was cutting the rug down at a place called The Jug..."

I was cutting the rug
Down at a place called The Jug
With a girl named Linda Lu
When in walked a man
With a gun in his hand
And he was looking for you know who.
He said, "Hey there fellow,
With the hair colored yellow,
Watcha tryin' to prove?
'Cause that's my woman there
And I'm a man who cares
And this might be all for you."

I was scared and fearing for my life.
I was shakin' like a leaf on a tree.
'Cause he was lean, mean,
Big and bad, Lord,
Pointin' that gun at me.
I said, "Wait a minute, mister,
I didn't even kiss her.
Don't want no trouble with you.
And I know you don't owe me
But I wish you'd let me
Ask one favor from you."

"Won't you give me three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps
Gimme three steps mister,
And you'll never see me no more."

Well the crowd cleared away
And I began to pray
As the water fell on the floor.
And I'm telling you son,
Well, it ain't no fun
Staring straight down a forty-four.
Well he turned and screamed at Linda Lu
And that's the break I was looking for.
And you could hear me screaming a mile away
As I was headed out towards the door.

"Won't you give me three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps
Gimme three steps mister,
And you'll never see me no more."

[liberaltrucker]

3. I was in my 20's when LS was at their peak

And had an apartment in Birmingham. OMFG, they put on some GREAT
concerts. They'd play in Birmingham at least twice a year, and I'd
find a way to go anytime they did.

The only time in my life I did cocaine was when I heard about the
plane crash. :cry: RIP, RVZ-you've earned it.

[jschurchin]

5. Got to see them on.......

December 26th 1975 at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh for $7.50. Didn't know any of their songs but "Sweet Home Alabama". One of the most incredible shows I have ever seen, went out the next day and bought "One more from the Road". Been a huge fan ever since.

Congratulations Guy's you earned it. R.I.P. Ronnie we love and miss you.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

8. This DVD...

...for "Freebird: The Movie"...There's a lot of archive footage of varying quality, but the money shot is "Free Bird" from Bill Graham's "Day On The Green" in Oakland, which...according to one of the reviewers on Amazon.com...was filmed two months before the plane crash. It would be nice to have a DVD of that entire show...

:toast: