Guitarist Rickey Medlocke has responded to criticism that the present lineup of Lynyrd Skynyrd is a “tribute band.”
The group not has any authentic members following the dying of Gary Rossington in 2023. Medlocke joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1971 and stayed till ‘72, then returned in 1996 and has been with the group ever since. Throughout an look on Actual Music With Gary Stuckey, the guitarist famous he’s heard loads of destructive feedback.
“We hear a number of, ‘Oh, it is nothing however a tribute band,’” Medlocke admitted (as transcribed by Blabbermouth). “Properly, they even stated that when Gary was nonetheless alive. However this is the best way I take a look at it. You’ve got acquired the unique singer’s youngest brother [Johnny Van Zant] that has been in there nearly 37 years. You’ve got acquired me. That is my second go-round with the band, and I used to be within the authentic group, the formidable group. And also you had Gary, an authentic founding member. Properly, to us, us three guys standing upfront, we have been, like, ‘No, no, no, no, no, no.'”
READ MORE: Skynyrd’s Rickey Medlocke Flips the Hen to Rock Corridor Over Exclusion
Medlocke famous that precise tribute bands, like these discovered on YouTube, are made up of “strangers that like to play cowl songs.” His group, he argued, could be very completely different.
“If you come to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, once you come to see us, it is full-on tilt original-sounding, as shut as you possibly can ever probably get,” the rocker defined. “So the folks sitting there behind their little pc keyboards and speaking shit, they’ll speak that shit all they wish to. My phrase is that if you are able to do higher than me, step up. You already know what I imply? Come on. Come on with it.”
Rickey Medlocke Promised Gary Rossington He’d Preserve Lynyrd Skynyrd Going
Medlocke’s satisfaction in Lynyrd Skynyrd is comprehensible contemplating the many years he’s devoted to the band. The guitarist additionally feels a way of obligation to Rossington, who insisted the group proceed after his dying.
READ MORE: Bands With No Unique Members
“Gary made us promise that we’d by no means, ever let the integrity of the band and the music historical past of the band, by no means let it’s forgotten,” the guitarist confessed. “Simply rapidly, he is gone, the band’s gone, and also you would possibly hear it on radio each now and again, or folks get collectively for a barbecue they usually play the music or no matter. We acquired a lot corresponding feedback, letters, notes, e-mail, textual content messages, and the one deciding issue was, ‘Please, do not let this be the tip of it.’ Properly, okay.”
Medlocke additionally identified that lineup adjustments are commonplace in rock.
“In the event you actually cease to consider this, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards is the one authentic members within the Rolling Stones,” the guitarist argued. “I imply, Ron Wooden’s been there a very long time, however Mick Jagger and Keith Richards is the unique guys standing there. They usually’ve acquired all completely different musicians enjoying with them now.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd has intensive touring plans in 2024, together with the Sharp Dressed Easy Man Tour alongside ZZ Prime.
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Gallery Credit score: Michael Gallucci
