The band's music is a mix of Southern rock, blues rock, and country rock. Their lyrics often deal with themes of the South, working-class life, and rebellion. Lynyrd Skynyrd has released 16 studio albums, 6 live albums, and 24 compilation albums. They have sold over 30 million albums worldwide.
The band's original lineup consisted of Ronnie Van Zant (vocals, guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), Bob Burns (drums), and Billy Powell (keyboards). The band released their debut album, "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-nérd 'Skin-‘nérd)", in 1973. The album was a commercial success, reaching number 18 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's lead single, "Free Bird", became one of the band's most popular songs.
In 1977, the band released their fifth studio album, "Street Survivors". The album was released just three days before a plane crash that killed Van Zant, Collins, Powell, and backup singer Cassie Gaines. The album's cover art was originally a photo of the band in front of a wrecked airplane, but it was changed to a black and white photo of the band after the crash.
Despite the tragedy, Lynyrd Skynyrd has continued to be a popular band. They have released several successful albums since the crash, including "Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991" (1991), "The Last Rebel" (1993), and "God & Guns" (2009). The band has also toured extensively, and they continue to be a popular draw on the concert circuit.
