Freebirds

by Marley Brant

This new edition of Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story contains important new material: a new chapter updating the professional and personal activity of the band since the book’s publication in 2002, and author commentary on the bandd’s activities, interactions and legacy. Based on one-on-one interviews with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, their families, friends, business associates, and fans, Freebirds is the first narrative biography to fully examine the roots, evolution, and success of the most hard-rocking, hard-living band in rock ‘n roll history. From “Freebird” and “Sweet Home Alabama” to “Saturday Night Special” and “What’s Your Name,” Lynyrd Skynyrd’s driving, guitar-fueled, blues-inspired songs celebrate stoic independence and bar-hopping camaraderie. Evoking vivid images of Southern landscapes, raunchy good times, and reckless young romance, Skynyrd’s classic catalog emphasizes the importance of home, family, and a spirit of fierce independence that defines American rock. Tenacious ‘till the end, Lynyrd Skynyrd has kept on keepin’ on—touring, recording, and producing hit records in the face of devastating tragedy and the ravages of life on the road. With this newly-revisededition containing updated material, Marley Brant has given us a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes chronicle of the group’s history, struggles, and perseverance, with details about, Their formation and early days in Jacksonville, Florida Their ambitious climb to the peak of rock stardom The complexities of interband relationships and conflicts The truth behind stories of booze-filled adventures and contract disputes The origins of their songs Freebirds is the result of primary source interviews with past and present Skynyrd members Leon Wilkeson, Ed King, Billy Powell, Artimus Pyle, Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, and Hughie Thomasson, as well as family members and fellow musicians like Warren Haynes and producer Al Kooper. Also included are over 50 photographs from the personal collections of the band and their friends and family. Marley Brant has enjoyed a long career as a music industry professional, and she immediately responded to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s charismatic catalogue of insightful ballads and hard, pure, ensemble rock and roll. Marley is the author of nine books, which have been featured by People magazine, The New York Times, USA Today, VH1, A&E, The History Channel, TBS, CMT, The Biography Channel, and PBS. She has been involved with the careers of a number of extraordinary artists and with a variety of television, film, and record  productions. Visit Marley at