Lynyrd Skynyrd news and features

Gary Rossington shaped the sound of Southern rock with Lynyrd Skynyrd – and his guitar style influenced everyone from the Black Crowes to Metallica

By Martin Cooper published 3 November 23

Learn the distinctive pentatonic licks of the Les Paul-toting Southern rock master

One of the strangest guitar mods of all time? How Leon Wilkeson adapted his Gibson Thunderbird following the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash in ‘77

By Nick Wells published 28 July 23

The ’63 T-Bird had a metal extension added after Wilkeson injured his left arm in the crash

Gary Rossington’s final performance with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2022

Lynyrd Skynyrd release footage of Gary Rossington’s blazing final performance: “It is certainly bittersweet”

By Matt Parker published 30 June 23

The Southern rock legend was captured playing Gimme Three Steps at the band’s 50th Anniversary show at The Ryman

This is the song most Americans want to learn how to play on guitar – and you probably know what it is

By Matt Parker published 7 June 23

New research has analyzed searches for guitar lessons to determine the most popular tracks

Zakk Wylde picks his 5 essential Lynyrd Skynyrd tracks

By Dave Ling published 30 May 23

The Black Label Society frontman and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist has assembled a playlist to convert anyone to the most legendary band in Southern rock

How Gary Rossington played through the pain to define the quintessential Southern rock sound with Lynyrd Skynyrd

By Alan Paul published 23 May 23

We pay tribute to the ultimate survivor, who broke every bone in his body and still kept the music going with a style that inspired generations of players

Lynyrd Skynyrd will continue without Gary Rossington and honor tour dates with ZZ Top

By Matt Parker published 4 April 23

“Gary was always the first to say how, ‘Skynyrd’s music is bigger than me or any one person,’” says Rossington’s widow

Watch Slash, Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes play an all-star medley of Lynyrd Skynyrd classics in tribute to Gary Rossington

By Matt Owen published 3 April 23

Gary Clark Jr. also paid tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan at the show with a blazing cover of The House Is Rockin’

Slash, Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes are set to perform together as part of the CMT Awards tribute to Gary Rossington

Slash, Billy Gibbons and Warren Haynes to perform in all-star tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington at the CMT Awards

By Matt Parker published 31 March 23

The Southern rock legend’s memorial show at the 2023 CMT Awards will feature some huge guitar talent among a band of big-name rock and country stars

Lynyrd Skynyrd Gary Rossington live tribute

Watch Lynyrd Skynyrd pay tribute to Gary Rossington at their first show since the founding guitarist passed away

By Matt Parker published 14 March 23

The band paid their respects onstage in Florida, while performing Tuesday’s Gone

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Allen Collins, Gary Rossington (playing Gibson Les Paul), Steve Gaines performing live onstage

The 25 greatest Lynyrd Skynyrd songs of all time

By Guitar World Staff published 6 March 23

Ranking the extraordinary catalog of the Southern rock legends and their trademark triple-guitar attack

Gary Rossington 1951-2023: the guitar world pays tribute

By Matt Owen published 6 March 23

Joe Bonamassa, James Hetfield, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more have paid tribute to the influential Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist, who has died aged 71

Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd performs at Shoreline Amphitheatre on August 31, 1991 in Mountain View, California.

Gary Rossington recalls the making of 10 landmark Lynyrd Skynyrd tracks: “The more wild experiences you have the better songs you can write”

By Alan Paul published 6 March 23

In this classic interview, the late Southern rock icon discusses Ronnie Van Zant's habit of writing lyrics in the shower, how Sweet Home Alabama started as a joke and why the band's record label begged them not to include Free Bird on their debut album

Gary Rossington performs with Lynyrd Skynyrd at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on May 11, 2019

Gary Rossington, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist, dies at 71

By Jackson Maxwell published 6 March 23

Rossington had been the Southern rock institution's last surviving original member

Richie Faulkner, Jared James Nichols and Zach Myers perform Free Bird

Watch Jared James Nichols, Richie Faulkner, Zach Myers and Marty Schwartz trade licks in awe-inspiring Free Bird cover

By Matt Parker published 23 January 23

The live shred-fest sees all four players take solo runs over the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic

Man wearing headphones playing air guitar

The top 10 air guitar songs of all time

By Guitar World Staff published 11 November 22

From Free Bird’s iconic guitar solo to the legendary licks of Layla, here are the best tracks to “play” when you’re without your axe but fancy an impromptu practice session

10 of the best songs over 10 minutes long

By Josh Hart last updated 20 July 22

Here are some of the greatest - and longest - tracks that clock well into the double digits

Lynyrd Skynyrd cancel shows as guitarist Rickey Medlocke tests positive for COVID-19

By Sam Roche published 9 August 21

The band's shows in Canton, OH, Jackson, MI and Cullman, AL have been cancelled, while their show in Atlanta, GA has been rescheduled to October 23

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington expected to make a full recovery after “emergency heart surgery”

By Matt Owen published 26 July 21

Damon Johnson will fill in for Rossington on the band's upcoming tour dates

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Gary Rossington shares the story behind Free Bird

By Guitar World Staff published 4 December 19

Learn how the most requested song in live music was created