Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Southern Rock Phenomenon?

Lynyrd Skynyrd: The Southern Rock Phenomenon?

Hailed by many as purely a southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd was not only a success outside the Deep South but gained widespread popularity throughout the country in the 1970’s. Yes, of course much of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s style and sound evolved from there southern roots but that is not strictly who they were or what solely influenced them. After all, it is very difficult to be inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame if all you appeal to is a very small sect of the music market(Sullivan 1).

To fully understand the band we must first find out who they are and what made them Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band formerly called “My Backyard,” was formed in the summer of 1964 by four teenage friends, Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Larry Junstrom, and Bob Burns.