Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird - 7/2/1977
Added 2024-10-03 13:48:47 +0000 UTCComments
Hi Mike and Jess, newly-subbed member here so this is my first comment. I was present for what many people far wiser than me say was the finest-ever performance of this song at Knebworth in 1976 in front of an audience that many claim was 300,000 strong. I have my doubts it was that big, but you will recall Knebworth (which is actually the grounds of an English stately home) was the venue for the Robbie Williams concert you have reacted to. First up, I have to say Lynryd Skynrd are NOT my bag. Being someone who grew up in London, their songs and style never resonated with me. Indeed, on that day in 1976, I would say that more than half the audience, who were there primarily to see headliners the Rolling Stones, were disinterested in Lynyrd Skynrd. That all changed halfway through Freebird, when the guitar kicked in. The stage was designed like a mouth and long tongue to replicate the Rolling Stones’ famous logo. This allowed the guitarist to walk out towards the audience, and boy did he take the opportunity to shine. There is footage on YouTube if you wish to check it out. You will see also how the audience takes time to pick up on what is happening. In the crowd that day to witness it were Paul McCartney of The Beatles and David Gilmour, the guitarist and vocalist of Pink Floyd. Lynyrd Skynrd put out a live album from this show, so they must have been pretty proud of their work. Less happy were the show promotors who claimed the band over-ran and, I have read, triggered problems with the sound system which affected the next band, 10cc, and the Rolling Stones. I have no idea if that is true because I loved the Stones’ set and it still sticks in my memory along with, of course, that very special performance of Freebird.
Thomas
2024-10-18 08:43:57 +0000 UTC
