June 2008 - Southern Rock, Past & Present

The glory days of southern rock keep attempting to be rediscovered, or at the very least be remembered.

The band that was "Lynyrd Skynyrd" was actually destroyed on October 20th, 1977, in a horrible plane crash near McComb Mississippi, killing singer Ronnie Van Zant, new guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister, back-up singer Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick and both the pilots.

Still, over the years, various albums or songs thrown together have continued to be released and, of course, a form of "Lynyrd Skynyrd" is still out there touring and keeping the music alive.

Whoever is the owner of the early Skynyrd license, that being the first seven albums in their short seven year career, has issued a deluxe edition of the "One More From The Road 25th Anniversary" album a few years back, and now in 2008, has recently re-released the deluxe "Street Survivors" with extra cuts, including some of the supposed very last concert recordings ever captured.

You may remember, this original album was issued just three days before the crash. It featured on the cover a picture of the band surrounded by flames. It was soon replaced without the flames in respect for the dead.

The one main thing I really recommend for any even casual Skynyrd fan is to see the movie "Free Bird." All the albums speak volumes, but the movie tells a story.

But in terms of comebacks, versions of other southern rock bands are still trying to hammer out "new," or at least updated stuff, albeit with different and, in some cases, missing-man line-ups as well. Two have, but three come to mind…

"Blackfoot-Southern Rock's Best Live" 2007

"Molly Hatchet-Flirtin' With Disaster-Live" 2007

The award for "Best Comeback Try," though, needs to go to "The Outlaws." Why do they deserve the award? Please read on.

Do you remember the "four guitar army," "The Outlaws," formed in Tampa in 1972? Songs like "Hurry Sundown" and "Green Grass and High Tides"…If you think that "Lynyrd Skynyrd" was the only southern rock band with a somewhat storied tale….

Henry Paul, former "Outlaw,"… together with Van Stephenson and Dave Robbins formed the country group, "Blackhawk." Sadly, Van passed away on April 8, 2001 after a tough fight with cancer, and "BlackHawk" seemed to be grounded, but the group reformed with Chris Anderson filling the spot vacated by Stephenson's death.

Look on the Blackhawk video "Goodbye Say It All." The drummer is Monte Yoho, former "Outlaw."

Buzz Meekins, "Outlaw," left and made a deal to play with Skynyrd three days BEFORE the plane crash. Obviously, we know that didn't happen.

And sadly, two former Outlaws died in the same month in 1995, guitar player Billy Jones, 2/7/95, and bass player Frank O'Keefe, 2/26/95.

Hughie Thomasson, "Outlaw," became a guitarist for "Lynyrd Skynyrd" and played from 1996 to 2005, then decided to go BACK to "The Outlaws" and bring back the respectable sound they were known for…sadly, he passed away September 9th, 2007, at age 55, trying to get the new album done.

What happens now? In true southern rock tradition, the two that were "Blackhawk," Outlaw Henry Paul and Chris Anderson brought back Outlaw drummer Monty Yoho and then added three more players: Billy Crain (played with Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride), Randy Threet (Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood's bands) and Jon Coleman (Lee Roy Parnell's band).

Will they get a rock album out? Will it be country?

I'm just glad to see them again, trying, still traveling music's two lanes…

Brad Moyers of Burnsville, is an eight-year radio broadcaster, a deeply devoted student of music of several genres, and writes as a hobby. He offers a glimpse into the broadcast music business, its history and happenings, from someone who makes a living doing what they love. Readers may contact him at brad.moyers@yahoo.com.