Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird (1977)

“Freebird”, is a song written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant and performed by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song featured on the band’s debut album in 1973.

Released as a single in November 1974, “Free Bird” entered the Billboard Hot 100 on November 23 at No. 87] and became the band’s second Top 40 hit in early 1975, peaking at No. 19 on January 25. A live version of the song reentered the charts in late 1976, eventually peaking at No. 38 in January 1977.

“Free Bird” achieved the No. 8 spot on Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Guitar Solos. It is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature song, the finale during live performances, and their longest song, often going well over 14 minutes when played live.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a rock song with more emotional and cultural impact than “Free Bird.” The song is best enjoyed in the album version, which runs 9:08 with the last lyric uttered at 4:55 (“fly high, free bird, yeah”). Those last four minutes comprise perhaps the most famous instrumental passage in rock history. Skynyrd had three guitarists: Allen Collins, Ed King and Gary Rossington, allowing them to jam for extended periods long after most songs would peter out.

The radio edit was cut down to 4:41, with the closing instrumental cut to about a minute.

Many fans thought “Free Bird” was a tribute to Allman Brothers Band guitarist Duane Allman, who died in 1971, two years before “Free Bird” the song was released. Skynyrd sometimes dedicated it to Allman at concerts, but it was written long before his death and not about Allman at all. The double guitar solo at the end is the same style as many early Allman Brothers songs on which Duane played.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird - 7/2/1977

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird - 7/2/1977 - Oakland Coliseum Stadium (Official)11:47

Recorded Live: 7/2/1977 – Oakland Coliseum Stadium – Oakland, CA.
Cu doar trei luni și jumătate înainte de fatidicul accident de avion care i-a ucis pe membrii Skynyrd, Steve Gaines, sora sa, solistul vocal Cassie Gaines (din Honkettes) și vocalistul principal Ronnie Van Zandt, Lynyrd Skynyrd au cantat acestă piesă în weekend-ul din 4 Iulie în Oakland.

Allen Collins controlează majoritatea solo-ului de cinci minute din videoclip, Gary Rossington executând partea de chitară electrică „bird-chirp”, care nu se află pe înregistrarea inițială, împreună cu riff-urile de început. Billy Powell interpretează, de asemenea, un solo de pian magistral, care este exclusiv show-ului live.

• Ronnie Van Zant – vocals
• Allen Collins – guitar
• Gary Rossington – guitar
• Steve Gaines – guitar
• Artimus Pyle – drums
• Leon Wilkeson – bass
• Billy Powell – piano Cassie Gaines – vocals
• Jo Billingsley – vocals
• Leslie Hawkins – vocals

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