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To me, there’s nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don’t know, that’s what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird. ~Ronnie Van Zant

To me, there’s nothing freer than a bird, you know, just flying wherever he wants to go. And, I don’t know, that’s what this country is all about, being free. I think everyone wants to be a free bird.
~Ronnie Van Zant

A Tribute video to Ronnie Van Zant:

Free Bird – Live Oakland 1977:

From Wikipedia:

Birth name	Ronald Wayne Van Zant
Born	January 15, 1948 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Died	October 20, 1977 (aged 29) Gillsburg, Mississippi, United States
Genres	Southern rock
Occupations	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active	1964–1977
Associated acts	Lynyrd Skynyrd

Ronald Wayne “Ronnie” Van Zant (January 15, 1948 – October 20, 1977) was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was the older brother of the founder and vocalist of 38 Special, Donnie Van Zant, and of current Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant.

Sweet Home Alabama:

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Van Zant formed Skynyrd late in the summer of 1964 with friends and schoolmates Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). Lynyrd Skynyrd’s name is a mock tribute to a gym teacher the boys had in high school, Leonard Skinner, who disapproved of male students with long hair.

The band’s national exposure began in 1973 with the release of their debut album, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), which has a string of hits and fan favorites including: “I Ain’t the One”, “Tuesday’s Gone”, “Gimme Three Steps”, “Simple Man,” and their signature song, “Free Bird”, which he later dedicated to the late Duane Allman of The Allman Brothers Band.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s biggest hit single was “Sweet Home Alabama” from the album Second Helping. “Sweet Home Alabama” was an answer song to Neil Young’s “Alabama” and “Southern Man.” Young’s song “Powderfinger” on the 1979 album Rust Never Sleeps was reportedly written for Skynyrd, and Van Zant is pictured on the cover of Street Survivors wearing a T-shirt of Young’s Tonight’s the Night.

–> Check out my earlier post: Great Song: “Ronnie & Neil” – Drive-by Truckers

Album of the day:

Lynyrd Skynyrd – Gold & Platinum (1979):

Other January 15:

• Bob Dylan – The third & final recording session for “Bringing It All Back Home”
  Master versions of: “Maggie’s Farm”, “On The Road Again,” “It’s Alright, Ma (I’m Only Bleeding),” “Gates of Eden,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.”
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• Will Oldham (born January 15, 1970), better known by the stage name Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, is an American singer-songwriter andactor. From 1993 to 1997, he performed and recorded under variations of the Palace name, including the Palace Brothers, Palace Songs, and Palace Music. After releasing material under his own name, he adopted the “Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy” moniker for the majority of his output since 1998.
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• Don Van Vliet (born Don Glen Vliet; January 15, 1941 – December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter, artist and poet widely known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 13 studio albums. Noted for his powerful singing voice with its wide range, Van Vliet also played the harmonica, saxophone and numerous other wind instruments. His music blended rock, blues and psychedelia with avant-garde and contemporary experimental composition. Beefheart was also known for exercising an almost dictatorial control over his supporting musicians, and for often constructing myths about his life.
  
  

-Egil