When you talk about pioneers of music, you think how Bob Dylan bridged the gap between folk and rock, how the Beatles changed music forever by invading the United States with their new brand of rock ’n’ roll, how Chuck Berry made it OK to be a showy guitarist, how Led Zeppelin paved the way for hard rock and metal, and how Nirvana created a genre called grunge … just to name a few.
Lynyrd Skynyrd deserves the pioneer tag for creating a Southern rock brand while ushering in a rocking style of live improvisation at the same time that The Grateful Dead was creating its own, more trippy version of what would later be labeled “jam band.”
Now, 61 years after forming in Jacksonville, Fla., Lynyrd Skynyrd is not only still jamming, but rocking as hard as ever, and they will jam their way into Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort 9 p.m. Friday, May 23.
Known for their bluesy riffs with a touch of country twang, hits such as “Tuesday’s Gone,” “Gimme Three Steps,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and the jam-frenzied anthem “Free Bird,” Skynyrd music is as American as apple pie.
With more than 60 albums recorded and sales beyond 30 million worldwide, Skynyrd was named one of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” by Rolling Stone and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Kid Rock in 2006.
Johnny Van Zant, the brother of founder and former lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, who died in an airplane crash in 1977, has been the frontman for the classic rockers since 1987, and in this interview talks about their upcoming performance as well as the band’s strong connection with Atlantic City fans while reflecting on the band’s legacy.
Scott Cronick: Atlantic City always seems to be a perpetual tour stop for Lynyrd Skynyrd. You definitely have a great rapport with audiences here, don’t you think?
Johnny Van Zant: Yeah, you know what, man? We got great fans in your neck of the woods. And, you know, the whole area, there’s always been strong support. Whenever I started with Skynyrd back in ‘87, I was so amazed because I had never played with Skynyrd in your area, and I was like, “Holy crud, man. Look at all these fans up here!” So, it’s always good to come back and see everybody. And, you know what? We try to do that every summer and get out there and see the Skynyrd nation, and we love seeing them. We love seeing the new generation, the old generation, and the one in between. Somebody said the other day … our crowds are 8 to 80.
SC: When you say 1987, that means almost 40 years with the band. Is that mind-blowing to you?
JVZ: It is, but you know, in a lot of ways, it seems like 40 seconds. Time don’t blink, man, because time goes by. Enjoy every minute. And you know what? We’ve been through a lot in those years, and to keep the music going and coming to the fans, you know, Skynyrd made great records, won’t take that away. But coming and seeing a Skynyrd live performance is a spiritual thing to a lot of fans, and that’s a great thing.
SC: You took the words right out of my mouth. Why are you still here after all these years? It’s the live show, right?
JVZ: And not only for the fans, but for us in the band. It really is. We never go out there and just phone it in. Everything’s live. If I’m sick, I’m going to sound like crap. And if somebody has got a hurt finger, they may not play the lead part right, but it’s live. And it really is a special time for us. Years ago, probably about the first 10 or so years, we were all partying pretty good. We were having a good time, and we didn’t soak it in, and it’s good to still be here and bring it to the crowds and soak it in these days. We love doing it. We love getting out there and just seeing the smiling faces.
SC: Is it challenging after all these years to keep that live energy and creativity intact so it doesn’t look like you are phoning it in like so many nostalgic acts do?
JVZ: No. Again, man, I’ve been on stage and had kidney stones and didn’t know I was having them, but I was real sick. I thought I had food poisoning. And Gary Rossington, before his passing, man, he went through a lot of health trouble. But that adrenaline, that emotion and that spiritual thing that goes on with Skynyrd is a powerful, powerful thing. Once you hear that intro come on and those lights go down, and you see the fans, it just brings it out of you no matter what you’re going through. And I love doing it, too, because for two hours, somebody leaves their problems behind, enjoys the music, and that goes for me, too. I can be going through a bad day, but when I hit that stage, it’s a different story.
My biggest thing about touring these days is traveling. The other night, I spent five-and-a-half hours on the runway in Atlanta because of storms, and they turned the plane off. And there was some old guy that was 85 years old next to me, and I was watching him the whole time because it was hot … It’s hot down here in the South already. But the storms were coming in, and I was like, you know what? We really don’t get paid for playing because that’s a joy. We get paid for traveling.
SC: I think you were 28 years old when you joined Skynyrd. And you had your own band at that point and were doing just fine. Was there a moment where you thought that Skynyrd wasn’t for you? Now it seems like a no-brainer, but back in ’87, that’s not such an easy decision, right?
JVZ: I walked into a room in 1986 with the surviving members of that horrible day, you know, in ’77. And Ronnie was the father figure and the alpha dog, and those guys were all still in their 20s. And this is what they did. This is what they planned for their lives. And, of course, that plane crash happened and changed everything. And they asked me to be a part of it. I was a Skynyrd fan before. I never looked at my brother Ronnie as a rock star. He was the guy who picked on me, made me learn how to fight and be the person that I am.
They counted on him, and he was gone. And for them to ask me to be a part of it … to not do it would have been the wrong thing to do for them and for the legacy of Skynyrd. And you know what? I’m so glad I did it.
I’ve been able to make different records. I just did a gospel album with my brother Donnie that we put out last year. It’s been on our bucket list. It’s called Van Zant: “Always Look Up.” And I’ve been able to do certain records here and there and have that single artist thing going on, along with being able to do Skynyrd. It’s been a great ride for me. I hope one day I’m sitting on my front porch here in Florida having a glass of tea or a good beer or something or a good shot of Hell House Whiskey that we have out with a cigar and going, “Wow! That was something else!”
SC: Skynyrd has a new album coming out called “Celebrating 50 Years, Live at the Ryman.” Another chapter of the legacy, right?
JVZ: Sure. It was a wonderful night. We were in the mother church of country music, and to stand on that stage and be able to play these great skinted songs too was an amazing night. We have great guests on there like Jelly Roll, Brett Smith from Shinedown, my brother Donnie, Marcus King, who’s a wonderful, wonderful guitar player, singer, great guy, and John Osborne from The Brothers Osborne, and he’s just a phenomenal rock guitar player. It was a great, great night. We didn’t plan it, but God works in mysterious ways. There’s also a great documentary that’s coming out with it. And I can’t wait for our Skynyrd Nation to hear it.
SC: Getting back to that Hell House Whiskey. Seems like it pairs well with Skynyrd?
JVZ: Me and (former guitarist) Gary Rossington used to drink an awful lot of whiskey, and we said, “We should start our own.” And it came to fruition, and it’s been a great thing
SC: So, when it comes to the roster, I guess the other guy who has been there a hell of a long time is (guitarist) Rickey Medlocke, right?
JVZ: Oh yeah, man. Once upon a time, Gary called Rickey and said, “Hey man, I’ll pay you $1.50 and a Snickers bar to join the band.” And Rickey said, “I’m all in!” He gives it his all every night, and we’ve become really close. It’s a great thing. It really is.
SC: How do you keep that setlist fun for you?
JVZ: There’s so many great songs. For me personally, I’d like to do a whole night of obscure songs, like “All I Can Do is Write About It,” “Things Goin On,” … God, there’s so many of them, but you still got to get into the hits. And I can’t imagine not doing “Sweet Home” and “Free Bird.”
SC: It’s funny you bring up “Free Bird” because that song has become a punchline in some ways that cover bands don’t want to play it, but when you see Skynyrd, you have to hear it!
JVZ: Definitely. We’ve been ending with that since it was written, and I think it’s only fitting. And we got a really special thing we do during the song. For those people who haven’t seen us lately, you have to come out and check it out. It’s a really special time.
SC: How do you keep things fresh for you personally?
JVZ: I never have and never will phone it in. I go out, and I give it my all. And I’m enjoying the moment. I really am. I’m enjoying the moment, and I know that someday I’m probably not going to be able to do that. I’m not getting any younger. And I’m trying to enjoy this and soak up every, every ounce of this pleasure of being out there and doing this.
SC: Will we see new Skynyrd music?
JVZ: There are songs — before Gary passed — we had written, and we had all intentions of making a new studio album, but his health got too bad. So, who knows? I put everything in God’s hands, man. He leads us in the right direction.
SC: For those who have never been to a Skynyrd show before, what can they expect?
JVZ: A lot of energy. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and I call myself the head cheerleader. I love seeing people have a good time. Come on out, check it out, and I promise we’ll blow your mind!
Lynyrd Skynyrd performs 9 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Ovation Hall at Ocean Casino Resort. Tickets, starting at $77, are available at Ticketmaster.com or go to TheOceanAC.com.
Scott Cronick is an award-winning journalist who has written about entertainment, food, news and more in South Jersey for nearly three decades. He hosts a daily radio show – “Off The Press with Scott Cronick” – 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on Newstalk WOND 1400-AM, 92.3-FM, and WONDRadio.com, and he also co-owns Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall in Atlantic City, while working on various projects, including charitable efforts, throughout the area. He can be reached at scronick@comcast.net.
