Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a band I remember from my childhood as being always on the radio or playing big shows to which I, at age 11-12-13, was too young to go. I do remember the big plane crash, which happened right around my 14th birthday, and was sad about it but the band kind of dropped off my radar screen after that (particularly because I did not grow up in the South) and with the onslaught of new wave, punk etc. I didn't think about them for many years. As an adult I found myself thinking, "Hey, y'know those Skynyrd songs were actually pretty dern good" and when this book came out, I was curious to learn a bit more about the band I remembered but never really knew.I don't doubt that there are some factual and/or personal inaccuracies in the book, because of the sheer number of band members, relatives and other personal observers involved and because the level of details in these types of books is a fact-checker's nightmare. It's also clear that some of the band members did not/ do not get along, and while the author does appear to have tried to provide a balanced picture, I know there will always be fans close to the group or people who know the musicians involved who will take issue with the portrayal. (I know this because I have a few bands who I was close to and I have gotten wound up myself on a number of occasions about how journalists or more casual listeners interpreted those band's work, personalities, interband relationships, etc.) However, being a casual Skynyrd fan, these are not the types of errors that would affect my enjoyment of this book. It was easy to read, featured a lot of quotes from band members and other involved parties (which make a book much more readable than an editor telling you so-and-so did this, and then the band did that) and also had a user-friendly format with lots of awesome pictures.Since this book came out, there have been at least two other books released on Skynyrd and one of them was written by someone intimately involved with the band on the road. I haven't read those yet so can't say how this book stands up to them for accuracy and quality of information, but from the standpoint of "My First Book About Lynyrd Skynyrd" I wasn't disappointed with this book and enjoyed reading it. I would be interested in checking out some of the other books as this one was fairly short - not a fat book, and a lot of the space is taken up by those awesome pictures - and, given that this band had many members and the author may not have had equal access to all, there were details, particularly personal ones (such as the information others have noted about Ronnie Van Zant's upbringing and relationships) that weren't fully covered.

Thoroughly researched and a fun read. Seems like a fair, even-handed account of events which are still controversial to certain band members or their families. Only caveat: you may hear the intro to Sweet Home Alabama in your head every time you pick up the book to resume reading.

There is nothing wrong with this book. Some die hard Skynyrd fans feel that the world stopped spinning October 1977 and that nothing that happened after that date is of any significance. While there are errors in this book I think that it is still a good history of the band BEFORE and AFTER the plane crash, which unfortunately seems to have overshadowed everything else these wonderfully talented musicians have accomplished together. Lynyrd Skynyrd is like a large, disfunctional family and this book gives you a peek inside. If you're interested in Skynyrd then you'll be interested in this book. Worth the read.

This is by far the best biography available on bookshelves about Skynyrd, and goes well beyond the music and fame of the band to show the world how much each band member were just like you and me...Filled with commentary from former band members and close friends & family members, their story is told in great detail from their high school formation to the plane crash that haulted a band at the pinnacle of their career, whose potential will never be known but rather pondered upon for decades to come...The way Ronnie VanZant and company handled the burdens of superstardom is one that wasn't perfect, but one that should be (but isn't) followed by today's musical artists, which they displayed three decades ago!!! The band never had a member that wasn't as loyal and trustworthy as they come, they never forgot where they came from, they took good care of all their friends and familiy, and never let the fame, money, women, and all that get to their heads and interfere with their ultimate goals...Even if you don't care for their music, this is a story of blood, sweat, and tears, and how hard work and efficiency pays off in the end.... because you only fail when you give up!!!With only FOUR YEARS of professional recording under their belts, the material they produced is simply astounding... they truly are the perfect example of how a band should be put together and orchestrated in all aspects, reguardless of what kind of music you play...R.I.P. to Ronnie VanZant, Steve Gaines, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkenson, and the rest of the freebirds that are STILL TO THIS DAY helping people through their problems and touching their hearts!!!!!

The book cover was the Lynyrd Skynyrd book. The book itself was a psychology book. Now I have to go to the UPS store to return this and get a refund in the middle of a pandemic. Don’t recommend. I would give it zero stars if possible.

Hardcore Lynyrd Skynyrd fans will be overall disappointed in this book as it is not the hard-charging, tell-all, behind the scenes book that it is talked up to be. One of the biggest problems appears to be the fact that no one in the band, other than Artimus Pyle, was willing to open up and tell it like it is. The author herself seems to be so starry eyed over inteviewing the band members that at times the book comes off as fawning. Casual fans will find the material interesting but the hardcore fan has seen this material before. A much better story was published in MOJO magazine several years ago entitled THE SOUTHERN DEATH CULT. The true Lynyrd Skynyrd story has yet to be written.

Best book on Skynyrd I have read.

Most of what you read in this book is just recycled from the Internet. No new stories or background.

Just started reading it, but so far a really good read & a true insight to the band

Superb!! worth every word !!!

I have 3 books on the Lynyrd Skynyrd story. Gene Odom's Lynyrd Skynyrd; Turn it up by Ron Eckerman; Whiskey bottles and brand new cars by Mark Ribowsy.This book doesn't mention some of the very peculiar situations that Gene Odom did live or the serious management problems that Eckerman lived thru. It also does not analyse the impact of Skynyrd on music, society or other in any way like Ribowsky does in a surgical way.This book is history in an almost linear way, with facts and adequate forsight.