Free Bird

"Free Bird" is a song by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Since its release on their 1973 debut album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, it has become the band's signature song and a staple of rock radio. It has also developed into a popular culture cliché over the years, which is the shouting of a request to hear the song by audience members at almost any concert, regardless of the performer or style of music.

History

Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins began writing the music for "Free Bird" in 1970. The first version of the song was completed two years later when songwriter and vocalist Ronnie Van Zant wrote lyrics about a man who explains to his girlfriend why he is unable to settle down and become committed to her. The band recorded a demo version in 1972, before the now-famous triple guitar instrumental was added as the last section of the song for the final 1973 studio version.

Related Topics:
Allen Collins - 1970 - Ronnie Van Zant - 1972 - 1973

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"Free Bird" was released as the band's first single in 1973, receiving frequent airplay on FM rock album radio, but failing to reach the pop charts. After the single "Sweet Home Alabama" caught the public's attention and soared the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1974, "Free Bird" was re-released and reached #19 in January 1975.

Related Topics:
1973 - FM - Sweet Home Alabama - Billboard Hot 100 - August - 1974 - January - 1975

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Soon after its initial release, Van Zant began to dedicate the song at concerts to his deceased friend, musician Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band. Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1971 at the age of 24. Although "Free Bird" was not initially written about Allman, it is widely accepted as his tribute song. A live recording was released as a single in 1976, reaching #38 on the charts.

Related Topics:
Duane Allman - The Allman Brothers Band - 1971 - 1976

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After the tragic plane crash in 1977 that killed Van Zant and other band members, Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded. Collins and guitarist Gary Rossington formed The Rossington-Collins Band, performing "Free Bird" without vocals as a tribute to Van Zant. The vocal version returned to the live arena in 1987 when Skynyrd reunited with new lead singer, Van Zant's youngest brother Johnny Van Zant.

Related Topics:
1977 - Gary Rossington - The Rossington-Collins Band - 1987 - Johnny Van Zant

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