S.O.D. "Freebird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd

10/13/2014

     Seven musicians make up the studio version you hear on the radio.  Going back a ways to 1972, Their roadie, Billy Powell, who also played piano was invited to join the band after he played for them an intro he had written for the song.  We all know it's a long one and at concerts they often take it past the 15 minute mark.  It actually has 5 different time lengths, the demo version being the longest at 11:09.  Depending on the station, the radio version can be as short as 3:31.  The guitar solo which features 3 guitars, is ranked at #3 on Guitar World's 100 Greatest Guitar Solos.  Its full length is 5:12.  You'll find 3 guitarists in southern rock bands quite often.  

     Aside from Powell's piano contribution, there are a few other origins.  The song is dedicated to the memory of guitarist/vocalist Duane Allman.  Lead vocalist, Ronnie Van Zant always insisted that there were too many chords to create a proper melody.  Guitarist Allen Collins who wrote those chords got together with Van Zant one day and played a different pattern of chords.  Ronnie was in agreement and finished the melody and lyrics in under 5 minutes.  If it had not been for Kathy, Collins' girlfriend at the time, the lyrics might be different.  She asked him, before they were married, "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"

     Believe it or not, the 1974 favorite only made it to #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #21 on the UK Singles Chart.  It was however ranked #193 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list, the most requested song to this day on radio was named by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.  

     On the final episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, the song was played by seasoned musicians, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, multi-instrumentalist Ben harper, guitarist Beck, the show's band and Will Ferrell on lead vocals.   

     Lynyrd Skynyrd started out in Jackonsville, Fl in 1964, took a 10 year hiatus after the tragic plane crash in 1977 and are back jamming for their fans today.  Record sales were not kept track of until 1991.  Since then the total is more then 20 million in the U.S. alone.