Based on oneonone interviews with members of Lynyrd Skynyrd their families friends business associates and fans Freebird The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story is the first narrative biography to fully examine the roots evolution and success of the most hardrocking hardliving band in rock n roll history. From Freebird and Sweet Home Alabama to Saturday Night Special and Whats Your Name Lynyrd Skynyrds driving guitarfueled bluesinspired songs celebrate stoic independence and barhopping camaraderie. Evoking vivid images of Southern landscapes raunchy good times and reckless young romance Skynyrds classic catalog emphasizes the importance of home family and a spirit of fierce independence that defines American rock. Tenacious till the end Lynyrd Skynyrd has kept on keepin onampmdashtouring recording and producing hit records in the face of devastating tragedy and the ravages of life on the road. With this book Marley Brant has given us a mesmerizing behindthescenes chronicle of the groups history struggles and perseverance with details about Their formation and early days in Jacksonville Florida Their ambitious climb to the peak of rock stardom The complexities of interband relationships and conflicts The truth behind stories of boozefueled crime and broken contracts The origins of their songs And much much more Freebirds was culled from primary sources including interviews with past and present Skynyrd members Johnny Van Zandt Ed King Artimus Pyle Billy Powell Rickey Medlocke Leon Wilkeson and Hughie Thomasson as well as family members and fellow musicians like Warren Haynes and producer Al Kooper. Also included are over 50 photographs from the personal collections of the band and their friends and family. Marley Brant has been a Skynyrd fan since the beginning of their recording career loving their raw and charismatic catalogue of insightful ballads and their pure rockensemble attack. She has enjoyed friendships with various members of the band the crew and their families a