Lynyrd Skynyrd: Top 30 Songs

Lynryd Skynyrd Top 30 Songs

Southern-rock group formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. They named themselves after founding members’ junior high school gym teacher, Leonard Skinner. Group disbanded in 1977 after Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines were killed in a plane crash. Rossington, Collins Powell and Wilkeson formed the Rossington Collins Band in 1979, which lasted until 1982. Ronnie’s younger brother, Johnny, revived Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987. Members: Highlighted names indicate which members of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Ronnie Van Zant (vocals: 1964-77). Died 1977. Gary Rossington (guitar: 1964-77,1987-2023). Died 2023. Allen Collins (guitar: 1964-77). Died 1990. Bob Burns (drums: 1964-71, 1972-74). Died 2015. Larry Junstrom (bass: 1964-71). Died 2019. Billy Powell (keyboards: 1972-77, 1987-2009). Died 2009. Rickey Medlocke (drums, vocals, mandolin: 1971-72), (guitar vocals, mandolin: 1996-present) Greg T. Walker (bass: 1971-72) Leon Wilkeson (bass: 1972-77, 1987-2001). Died 2001. Ed King (bass: 1972-75, 1987-96). Died 2018. Artimus Pyle (drum: 1975-77, 1987-91) Steve Gaines (guitar: 1976-77). Died 1977. Cassie Gaines (backing vox). Died 1977. Johnny Van Zant (vocals: 1987-present) Randall Hall (guitar: 1987-93) Kurt Custer (drums: 1991-94) Mike Estes (guitar: 1993-96) Owen Hale (drums: 1994-98) Hughie Thomasson (guitar: 1996-2005). Died 2007. Jeff McAllister (drums: 1998-99) Kenny Aronoff (drums: 1999) Michael Cartellone (drums: 1999-present) Ean Evans (bass: 2001-09). Died 2009. Mark Matejka (guitar, backing vocals: 2006-present) Peter Keys (keyboards: 2009-present) Robert Kearns (bass: 2009-12) Johnny Colt (bass: 2012-17) Keith Christopher (bass: 2017-present) For a complete list of this act’s DMDB honors, check out the DMDB Music Maker Encyclopedia entry. Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists. Spotify Podcast: Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 10 Best Songs based on this list. Premiere: March 7, 2023 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Awards:

Top 30 Songs Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists, appearances on compilations and live albums by the featured act, and songs’ chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. Sweet Home Alabama (1974) 2. Free Bird (1973) DMDB Top 5%: 3. What’s Your Name (1977) DMDB Top 10%: 4. Simple Man (1973) 5. Saturday Night Special (1975) 6. Gimme Three Steps (1973) 7. Call Me the Breeze (1974) DMDB Top 20%: 8. You Got That Right (1977) 9. Tuesday’s Gone (1973) 10. That Smell (1977) 11. Don’t Ask Me No Questions (1974) 12. Red, White and Blue (2003) 13. Gimme Back My Bullets (1976) 14. Swamp Music (1974) Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 15. Brickyard Road (Johnny Van Zant, 1990) 16. Double Trouble (1976) 17. The Ballad of Curtis Loew (1974) 18. Workin’ for MCA (1974) 19. Truck Drivin’ Man (1973) 20. I Ain’t the One (1973) 21. I Know a Little (1977) 22. Workin’ (1999) 23. Smokestack Lightnin’ (1991) 24. Heartbreak Hotel (1994) 25. Travelin’ Man (live, 1976) 26. Who’s Right or Wrong (Johnny Van Zant Band, 1981) 27. Help Somebody (Van Zant, 2005) 28. Preacher Man (1999) 29. Good Lovin’s Hard to Find (1993) 30. Keeping the Faith (1991) Resources and Related Links: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Lynyrd Skynyrd Dave’s Music Database: “Acts’ Profile Pages and Best-of Lists” First posted 3/7/2023; last updated 3/8/2023.