A Guide To The Lineup Changes In Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Career
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird - 7/2/1977 - Oakland Coliseum Stadium - Youtube
Lynyrd Skynyrd, they are the right band to associate the word “resurrection.” Just like any other bands out there, LS endured several lineup changes throughout most of their career duration. Members going in and out, others left for good, etc., but the band’s most terrifying time to recuperate was during the tragic plane crash that befalls the classic members. Some are injured, while the other members died.
Though it was an awful incident for the members and certainly not a thing to forget, the band rose to ashes and revived what was left for Lynyrd Skynyrd into a new, electrifying, and revitalizing career that remained even until today. Presented to you below is the complete guide to lineup changes of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
1965-1971: Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, Bob Burns, Larry Junstrom
Per Lynyrd Skynyrd History Site, the first ones to form the group were Van Zant, Rossington, Collins, Burns, and Junstrom. They changed their name several times until they settled for Lynyrd Skynyrd after Van Zant got the idea from their PE teacher, Leonard Skinner.
1971-1972: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Greg T. Walker, Rickey Medlocke
With Burns and Junstrom leaving the group, Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke joined the band. Burns would later come back.
1973-1975: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Bob Burns, Ed King, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell
After 2 years, Medlocke and Walker quit the band, with the former creating the band Blackfoot. Burns came back to the band, at this point, they solidified their distinct tune that they are well-known for.
1975-1976: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Artimus Pyle
Artimus Pyle joined the 6-man band replacing Ed King on drummer duties. At this point, they recorded their Gimme Back My Bullets album.
1976-1977: Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Artimus Pyle, Steve Gaines
Perhaps the most renowned lineup from the band, it was a perfect team with Steve Gaines joining in the band for a three-way guitar rhythm. They created Street Survivors and was also the lineup that experienced the 1977 plane crash that killed both Gaines and Van Zant.
1987-1991: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Ed King, Randall Hall, Artimus Pyle
Lynyrd Skynyrd had the intention of leaving the world of music for good, but it was then that the 10-year hiatus of the band did they thought of a tour dedicated for all the members who died in the crash. Ronnie’s brother, Johnny Van Zant, assumed the role behind the mic. Allen Collins was put aside because he was paralyzed from a car crash. Ed King returned.
1991-1993: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Ed King, Randall Hall, Kurt Custer
With Artimus Pyle leaving the group, Kurt Custer proceeded the drum duties.
1993-1994: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Ed King, Kurt Custer, Mike Estes
Estes joined the group after the exit of Randall Hall.
1994-1996: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Ed King, Mike Estes, Owen Hale
Owen Hale joined when drummer Kurt Custer left the band.
1996-1999: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Owen Hale, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson
With Ed King and Mike Estes leaving the group, Gary Rossington recruited once more his old friends Rickey Medlocke and Hughie Thomasson to complete the three-way harmony of LS’s guitars.
1999: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson, Jeff McAllister
Owen Hale departed, enter Jeff McAllister.
1999: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson, Kenny Aronoff
McAllister left after only a few months, and Kenny Aronoff joined to fulfill his drum duty.
1999-2001: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson, Michael Cartellone
Supergroup Damn Yankees Michael Cartellone joined Lynyrd Skynyrd during entering the new millennium.
Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson, Michael Cartellone, Ean Evans
Wilkeson dies due to acute liver and lung disease. He was then replaced with Ean Evans.
2006-2009: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Ean Evans, Billy Powell, Rickey Medlocke, Michael Cartellone, Mark Matejka
Thomasson left the band to reform outlaws. Mark Matejka assumed his role.
2009-2012: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Ean Evans, Rickey Medlocke, Mark Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Peter Keys
Billy Powell died of a sudden heart attack after skipping an appointment with a cardiologist. Peter Keys replaced him on keyboards.
2012-2017: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Rickey Medlocke, Mark Matejka, Michael Cartellone
Ean Evans, the one who replaced Leon Wilkeson in 2001, died of cancer. He was replaced by Johnny Colt.
2017 to present: Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, Mark Matejka, Peter Keys, Michael Cartellone, Keith Christopher
Until this day, Lynyrd Skynyrd is up and running the stage with southern rock performances that are considered classic. After Johnny Colt departed, Keith Christopher assumed the role of the bass. Gary Rossington is the only person to endured the whole lineup changes from the band.