Tag Archive for: Southern rock

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Lynyrd Skynyrd- One More From the Road 50th Anniversary- the late Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson

In September 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Atlanta's venerable Fox Theater each needed a minor miracle. Performing over three hundred shows on 1975's notorious "Torture Tour" had original Lynyrd Skynyrd members dropping like flies. Three things were evident: America's hyped bicentennial was entering the history books even as the wrecking ball was heading for the Fox Theater; a live "best of" discounted price double album by Peter Frampton earlier that year was re-writing the record books; and Lynyrd Skynyrd was selling more concert tickets than copies of their diminished ranks studio album "Gimme Back My Bullets". The band needed a stop-gap recording that could capture their lightning in a bottle live show, and the Fox Theater needed a lightning rod which could make saving it a cause celebre. Original co-founder the late guitarist Gary Rossington joined me here In the Studio for the tale behind "One More from the Road".
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Allman Brothers Band- Live Fillmore East 55th-the late Gregg Allman, Dickey Betts

The original Allman Brothers Band had to be seen and heard live to be fully appreciated, and in 1971 the band headlined four shows over two nights on March 13-14 at the Fillmore East that were recorded. My guests remembered it well: one of two original guitarists, Dickey Betts, & the late great Gregg Allman.

Allman Brothers Band- Midnight Rider- LA 6-92

One last midnight ride for Gregg Allman, another sad farewell with the passing of ABB drummer Butch Trucks. Here is a rare 1992 unplugged version of "Midnight Rider".

38 Special- Wild-Eyed Southern Boys- Donnie Van Zant, Jeff Carlisi

Former singer/songwriter/co-founder Donnie Van Zant and original 38 Special lead guitarist Jeff Carlisi recall band headquarters in an abandoned auto parts garage in a swamp to work up songs for "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys".

The Outlaws- Ghost Riders- Henry Paul, the late Hughie Thomasson

November 1980 The Outlaws released "Ghost Riders". Henry Paul and the late Hughie Thomasson, the only musician to perform on every Outlaws album, joined me In the Studio for this classic rock interview in what sadly turned out to be Hughie's final one.

Allman Brothers Band- Idlewild South- the late Gregg Allman

...for me in Autumn 1970 with discovering the Allman Brothers Band, as it was their second album, "Idlewild South" , which was my gateway drug to a five decade musical high for what turned out to be, as legendary producer Tom Dowd put it it, "the greatest musical fusion I've ever witnessed."

Marshall Tucker Band- Searchin’ for a Rainbow- Doug Gray, the late Jerry Eubanks

Marshall Tucker Band's 1975 sweet "Searchin' for a Rainbow", we feature Doug Gray and the late Jerry Eubanks telling charming stories while surrounded by the late George McCorkle's "Fire on the Mountain","Virginia", and "Searchin' for a Rainbow".

Rossington Collins Band- Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere- Gary Rossington, Dale Krantz Rossington, Allen Collins

The World Premiere radio interview special in July 1980 for the Lynyrd Skynyrd survivors' highly-anticipated ( and highly emotional ) return as the Rossington Collins Band on "Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere". 

Lynyrd Skynyrd- Nuthin’ Fancy- the late Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, Ed King

"Nuthin' Fancy" indicated a creative well running low for Lynyrd Skynyrd which would only worsen soon on "Gimme Back My Bullets".  No doubt the non-stop pace of nearly constant touring partly was to blame, but there was something darker and even more sinister which no one outside the band knew, nor anyone in it would admit. This tour had casualties...United once again in Eternity, Gary Rossington, Leon Wilkeson, & Ed King played it like they felt it here In the Studio.

Cry of Love- On the Hunt- New York City 8-93

As we prepare to honor Southern Rock pioneers Lynyrd Skynyrd on the fiftieth anniversary of Nuthin' Fancy next week, here is an example of their long shadow cast two decades later with an uncanny cover of that album's "On the Hunt" by Carolina…