Leslie Hawkins

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973
Background information
Origin	Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Southern rock blues rock hard rock
Years active	1964 (1964)–1977 (1977) 1979 1987 (1987)–present
Labels	MCA Atlantic Capricorn CMC International Sanctuary Universal Roadrunner/Loud & Proud
Associated acts	Van Zant Rossington Collins Band Allen Collins Band Outlaws Strawberry Alarm Clock Blackfoot Eric Quincy Tate ZZ Top The Rossington Band Charlie Daniels
Website	lynyrdskynyrd.com
Members	Gary Rossington Rickey Medlocke Johnny Van Zant Michael Cartellone Mark Matejka Peter Keys Johnny Colt
Past members	See band members section and members list

Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ LEN-ərd-SKIN-ərd) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as My Backyard in Jacksonville, Florida, the band was also known by names such as The Noble Five and One Percent, before finally deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band gained worldwide recognition for its live performances and signature songs "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". At the peak of their success, two band members and a backup singer died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation. The band has sold 28 million records in the United States.

The surviving band members reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record with co-founder Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke — who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 (before his return to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996). Fellow founding member Larry Junstrom, along with '70s members Ed King and Artimus Pyle, remain active in music but no longer tour or record with the band. Longtime drummer Michael Cartellone has recorded and toured with the band since 1999. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.