Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird

Artist ----  Lynyrd Skynyrd

Song   ----  Free Bird

Album  ----  (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) (1973)

Background: Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, "Free Bird", that was on their debut album. Nowadays, the band is more famous for their "Sweet Home Alabama", although the band was founded in Florida. A version of the band continues to tour and record, with only Gary Rossington of its original members remaining as of 2012. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

Trivia: At the peak of their success, three members died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation.

My two cents: This song is a classic for all guitar tune lovers, let it be rock, metal, prog, whatever. It's also a big running gag due to it's length. It starts of like a normal rock ballad and then moves into a fast rock improvisation ending, often longer than 10 minutes. I just love both parts, the slow ballad part and the ending. Especially the rocking part in the end has been part of many cover versions, including a famous live cover version made by Dream Theater. So I really like this song, both recording and live version. I'm just not into this America South State thing, with flag and barrels and cowboy hats. But I like the simple but effective lyrics.

Cite: 'Cause I'm as free as a bird now