Show & Tell Friday

Did you grow up in the south? Did you enjoy Southern rock? Yep, this is a little different from my musical tastes these days, but back in the 1970's the secular music world got taken by storm by the group I am going to feature in my Show and Tell today.

Back in 1970, a 16 year old young man had a gym teacher named Mr. Skinner. This young man, along with his friends, were frequently put on suspension by the coach because their hair was too long. In rebellion, they dropped out of school and began a musical career. As a joke, they named their band after the gym coach. Who am I talking about? Well, the student was Ronnie Van Zant, and the group was named the Leonard Skinner Band - after Coach Leonard Skinner. They soon transitioned the name to the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band. They cut their first demo in 1970. Free Bird went on to become their anthem. 1973 saw their megahit Sweet Home Alabama hit the charts. Their fame and popularity grew and grew, making them the premiere Southern rock band of the decade. In 1977, the band's private jet ran out of fuel inflight and crashed in Mississippi. Ronnie Van Zant and three other band members were killed in that crash. That brings me to today's post.

Ronnie Van Zant is buried not far from where I live. As you enter the cemetary you are met with a beautiful rendition of Jesus, the Christ. Take the drive to the left and you come upon this next scene.

This is the tomb of Ronnie Van Zant. Even after 31 years, people still leave flowers, cards, and notes at the grave - die hard fans who don't want to forget.

Below the the inscription is a flying bird - the symbol recognized with the name "Lynyrd Skynyrd."

The first time I visited this memorial was in the late 70's. I was touched by the words engraved on the bench in the next photo. You will notice the bench and wording was offered by C. Daniels - Charlie Daniels and the Charlie Daniels Band.

On the right-hand side of the monument is another bench with the following words. They are from an Emily Dickinson poem entitled This World is Not Conclusion.

Hopefully this post was not too morbid for you. I thought that if you were a Lynyrd Skynyrd fan you might enjoy seeing these photos. I will leave you with their words:

If I leave here tomorrow

would you still remember me?

For I must be traveling on now,

there's too many places I've got to see.

If I stayed here with you girl,

things just wouldn't be the same.

Cause I'm free as a bird now,

and this bird you can not change.

Lord knows, I can't change.

Won't you fly high free bird.

(To join in with Show & Tell Friday, just go to Kelli's page here.)