Some bands have made rock 'n' roll hall of fame careers out of their live shows. James Brown, The Grateful Dead, Rush, Phish, and the one coming Monday night to Prince George, Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In the 40-plus years the band has been rolling down the rock highway, they have sold more than 30 million albums, produced more than a dozen studio albums (five of them reaching gold status or more, three of them going multi-platinum), and gave the world some of its most popular southern rock songs. Tunes like Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird have helped define a time and place in American history.
Despite a plane crash that killed three band members, and others who have passed away over the years, the lineup was constantly refreshed with Lynyrd Skynyrd faithful players, and enduring original members. Out front of that history are founding member Gary Rossington joined by Johnny Van Zant (brother of late founder Ronnie Van Zant), along with Rickey Medlocke, Mark "Sparky" Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Johnny Colt, Peter Keys, Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Chase.
"People may say, 'they need the money,' well I don't think any of us need the money," Van Zant said in an online statement. "It's just that we love the music, it's bigger than the money, it's not even about that any more. We have to make a living, sure, but it's about the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd, and what it stands for, what the fans are all about. There's nothing like getting out there playing a great show with Skynyrd and seeing people love this music."
Rossington added, "We're still standing, still keeping the music going. We wanted to do the guys who aren't with us any more proud, and keep the name proud, too."
For the first time in their long, legendary history they come to perform in Prince George.
Tickets are on sale now at the CN Centre Box Office, Studio 2880 and online via Ticketmaster.
