Lynyrd Skynyrd sports a catalog of over 60 gold and platinum albums. The band earned sales beyond 35 million copies worldwide, while being able to lay claim to one of the most beloved rock anthems of all time, “Free Bird.”
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame group -- led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar) -- continues to carry on the legacy that began in Jacksonville, Florida over 40 years ago. The group will rock the confines of Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville on Friday. Star Plaza Theatre holds a special memory for Van Zant. Here are highlights from an interview earlier this week with the singer.
The Times: Tell me of your special Star Plaza memory.
Van Zant: I was there 15 years ago when I got the call my wife had gone into labor. I missed my daughter Taylor being born because of doing the show, but got home the next day. That was a night I won't ever forget. We're looking forward to this weekend.
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Times: 2017 is the 30th anniversary of you and Gary Rossington re-booting the band and also the 40th anniversary of the tragic plane crash.
Van Zant: Yeah. Music is a great healer. Skynyrd's had its share of tragedy and triumph. Gregg Allman said it best -- 'If you live a long life, you are going to have tragedy and triumph, you are going to see good friends come and go, and when the Good Lord calls you, it's your time.' Right now, it's our time to go out and play and bring the songs to the people.
Times: How is this year looking?
Van Zant: We've got a very busy summer. We're doing a lot of shows here, then going to Brazil with ZZ Top and Deep Purple later in the year. We're gettin' ready to do a new record, and we've got a CMT documentary coming early next year.
Times: Tell me about the documentary.
Van Zant: It's called 'If I Leave Here Tomorrow..." and it's from Gary's perspective. There's a lot of people who say things happened, but they weren't there. CMT wants to tell Gary's side of things. A couple weeks ago in Florida, I was like Morgan Freeman in 'Drivin' Miss Daisy. ' I was behind the wheel while Gary sat in back telling stories on camera. We went to my family home, his family home, to the graveyards to tell the story people need to hear, from the guy who was there from day one and is still here playing the songs now.
Times: Tell me about the new album. Still working with the Road Runner label?
Van Zant: Right now we are free (of contracts), so I don't know yet. We may do it ourselves, or maybe go back to Road Runner, and we've even talked to Universal again. We've got about 8 or 9 songs written, so we'll probably start recording in November or December. I'm looking forward to that.
Times: It's been 30 years since you stepped up to the microphone for what was intended to be a one-time tribute tour memorializing the original lineup for the double-live album "Southern By The Grace Of God: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour 1987." Most fans were happy to see the band continue, but there were some detractors and a few lawsuits. Is it all good now?
Van Zant: Mostly. It was hard on me when we first started, because I was always being compared to Ronnie and I'm not him. I still get someone once in a while yelling -- 'You ain't Ronnie!' I'm not Ronnie, I'm Johnny. I was a Skynyrd fan long before I was offered to sing in this band. I was pretty young and scared to death, and it took a couple of years, but I'm glad we stayed steady to the course and kept the band going. I really enjoy doing this and I know my brother Ronnie would have wanted Skynyrd to carry on playing the music he wrote.
Times: Gary Rossington has had health issues in recent years, any talk of retiring?
Van Zant: I talked to him about that and asked if maybe it was time to end it. He said -- 'This is all I've ever done and what I love doing' -- so I think he plans to go out with his boots on and a guitar in his hand. So, I think we'll be around for a while."
