Lynyrd Skynyrd
Presented by: The Hilton Wilmington Riverside

Presented By

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Once in a while a musical force will burst on the scene and forever change that scene. Lynyrd Skynyrd was one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed Southern Rock groups of the 1970′s. Their distinctive triple-lead guitar sound made their songs “Freebird,” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” American anthems and staples of FM radio. In 2006 they were inductees into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Beyond the tragedy, the history, the raging guitars and the killer songs, ultimately, Lynyrd Skynyrd is about an indomitable will. About survival of spirit; unbowed, uniquely American, stubbornly resolute.

Legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd returns with a fiery slice of Southern style guitar rock heaven in Last of a Dyin Breed, their newest release on Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records. This is the kind of record guaranteed to feed the needs of the multi-generational Skynyrd Nation, and continue the renewed vigor the band exhibited with their last album, 2009′s God & Guns.

For the passionate, longtime fans of the band, this is Skynyrd at the top of their game, complete with instantly memorable songs, more hooks than a tackle box, and a blistering three-guitar attack at full power. From the raging guitars of the title track and the pounding, funky homage to local talent in “Home Grown,” to the mind-blowing “Honey Hole,” Lynyrd Skynyrd sound like young bucks having one hell of a good time, which, regarding the latter, founding member Gary Rossington says is very much the case.

Having survived enough tragedy and just plain hard miles for 10 bands, Skynyrd is, remarkably at this stage of their career, on a roll. God & Guns debuted #18 on the Billboard Top 200, giving the band their highest debut since 1977. Last of a Dyin Breed in short, is rock ‘n roll for the times.

Driven by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd has recorded an album (under duress, as usual,” according to Van Zant) that very much lives up to the legacy begun some 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, and halted for a decade by the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since then, the band tragically lost Billy Powell, Ean Evans, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson, yet here they are again with a hard-rocking, stirring album that can sit proudly alongside any recording that bears the Skynyrd name.

With a catalog of over 60 albums, sales beyond 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem “Sweet Home Alabama” selling over two million ringtones, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remains a cultural icon that appeals to multiple generations. But far from resting on their laurels, any illusions that this may be a band at anything less than the height of its powers are quickly lost with the distorted fury of the fiery guitar licks that open the album’s title track and further put to rest with the gritty triumphs that follow.

They could easily continue cranking out old songs to rapturous audiences around the world but the fact is they’ve still got plenty to say musically, personally and as social commentary.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band of today, carrying a steely mantle forged in the sweaty confines in the Hell House in Jacksonville, FL decades earlier. And this is a band album, to be even more specific, a guitar driven band album.

The band is fine tuned into the tough times many Americans are going through, and they sing songs that might well help on that journey, or at least help let off some steam. “Skynyrd really thinks about how people are struggling and what’s goin’ on out there,” says Medlock. “We see a lot, because we’re a working man and working woman’s band. We’ve got three generations under our belts, we know people have a tough time out there, and we share in that.”

Anyone who hasn’t checked into what this band has been up to for a while will be blown away.

Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to take their music to the people!

Venue Rules
Festival Site – Cape Fear Community College
411 North Front Street, Wilmington, NC 28401

This is an outdoor venue, standing room only. Chairs will be available for purchase inside the venue. Food and beverage will be available for cash purchase only. A proper ID is required for all alcohol purchases.

Upon entry, all handbags will be inspected. There will be no re-entry allowed.

Please note – chairs, backpacks, umbrellas, any and all weapons/knives, etc., coolers, and alcohol will not be permitted to be brought inside the venue. This is a non-smoking venue. No flash photography or video is allowed.