To the last original member ofLynyrd Skynyrd, abandoning the Confederate flag signified the band cutting its ties to racism, the Ku Klux Klan and skinheads. Skynyrd. Old-School Jacket Updated! I lived in the South my entire life. The fact that it still flew at the state Capitol building in Columbia prompted a nationwide outcry and protest on the statehouse grounds, and on Monday (June 22) South Carolina governor Nikki Haley called for its removal. As a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd back in 1964 alongside Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom, Gary Rossington has been responsible for popularising Southern rock, with their signature tunes Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird. The Confederate flag became closely associated with rock n roll in part because of Lynyrd Skynyrd. In the musical South of the '60s and '70s, blues and soul influences bloomed in the mainstream Nashville sound, the white session musicians known as the Swampers made hits for artists like Etta James and Clarence Carter (and Skynyrd, too) and the Allman Brothers, a racially integrated band, were jamming like jazz musicians. Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1974 pro-southern anthem Sweet Home Alabama famously featured the flag on its cover, and the band used it liberally in their graphics, merch and stage act, as did such other. If people are gonna look at that flag and think of it as representing slavery, then I say burn every one of them, the rocker declared in a 2015 interview with Radio.com. Though many applauded Lynyrd Skynyrd's attempt to distance themselves from the Confederate flag, the decision has angered some fans, who took to the internet to swiftly condemn the news. It is an institution that people all over the world have s. As a result, the band used its Facebook page to let the world know that it would continue to display the flag at all of its shows. The Confederate flag means something more to us, Heritage not Hate -Gary Rossington. Registering for this site allows you to access your order status and history. Lynyrd Skynyrd remained a vital part of the cultural landscape for the next 40 years, which is the reason why their retirement from the road is garnering attention. 2023 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved. We also utilize the state flag of Alabama and the American flag, cause at the end of the day, we are all Americans. Neil made a song criticizing racism (Southern Man) and LS responded with "Well I hope Neil Young will remember a . As civil rights protests and the removal of controversial statues dominate headlines, the often-argued topic of the Confederate flag has once again reared its head. Amazon.com: Lynyrd Skynyrd Flag 45 results for "lynyrd skynyrd flag" RESULTS Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Shop thousands of Lynyrd Skynyrd shirts which have been created by our community of independent artists and iconic brands. A medium-sized Confederate flag hung off to the side at stage left, where not everyone in the crowd could see it. This may be a thin thread to connect Skynyrd with Carter, but the overarching fact remains that during the groups prime, Southern Rock was not a regressive music it was a rowdy, progressive vision of the future, representing how the South was eager to put the turmoil of the 1960s in the past. The design is modeled after the red, blue and white Confederate Battle Flag, with the 13 letters of "LYNYRD SKYNYRD . From Lynyrd Skynyrd buttons to patches, to Lynyrd Skynyrd magnets, stickers and posters, your friendly neighborhood record store has all the Lynyrd Skynyrd merchandise you could ever hope to find. African Americans love Lynyrd Skynyrd. Learn how your comment data is processed. $27.99. Rossington is hardly alone in this view. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. Sept. 21, 2012 12 AM PT Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't bothered by Watergate, but now they're sheepish over their use of the Confederate flag. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. We still utilize the Confederate (Rebel) flag on stage every night in our shows, we are and always will be a Southern American Rock band, first and foremost. The groups 2001 song The Southern Thing featured the line Aint about no foolish pride, aint about no flag reflecting the bands disdain for the image. In the song "All I Can Do Is Write About It", Ronnie laments about over-development and theenvironmental impact: "Cuz when I see the concrete, a slowly creeping, Lord take me and mine before that comes." SEP 25, 2012 (Photo credit: CC/JayUzi) The classic southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, known through the years for using the Confederate flag on their album covers and onstage, have finally decided to stop using the flag as a symbol onstage and on any further albums. In July, the Las Cruces Tea Party drew criticism for flying the flag on a Fourth of July float. Some haveworn it as a symbol of heritage, while others have adopted it only to subvert it. Some of its most iconic supporters have distanced themselves from it. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. The band Lynyrd Skynyrd, behind the hit Sweet Home Alabama , has used the Confederate flag as part of its stage display for years. Having gone through this, I would prefer it if no one would ever bring a Confederate flag to our shows again because this isnt who we are., In years past, right-wing rocker Ted Nugent was known for wearing apparel adorned with the flag. Back then, Lynyrd Skynyrd were leaders among the rebels forging a New South in the aftermath of the 1960s, creating music that soundtracked the ascent of Jimmy Carter to the White House. Around 2001, the singer started using the Stars and Bars at his live shows, calling it a symbol of Southern rock and rebellion. Several years later, the rocker changed course, though protestors continued to criticize his history with the flag. Shop officially licensed Lynyrd Skynyrd Shirts at Rockabilia. 35. The Confederate flag means something more to us, Heritage not Hate-Gary Rossington. But the groups lone surviving original member, Gary Rossington, recently told CNN that the band, recognizing the stars-and-bars flags offensive and racist undertones, will cease using it as a stage decoration at concerts supporting its new album Last of a Dyin Breed., Through the years, people like the KKK and skinheads kinda kidnapped the Dixie or Southern flag from its tradition and the heritage of the soldiers, thats what it was about, Rossington said. Vandoliers Play Tennessee Concert in Dresses to Protest State's New Drag Bill The driver is a self-described "redneck," but maintains that he is not a racist. We didn't want that to go to our fans or show the image like we agreed with any of the race stuff or any of the bad things. Gary Rossington, the only remaining original member of the band, made big waves in 2012 when he told CNN that Lynyrd Skynyrd would stop using the flagas its stage backdrop. The Confederate flag was once a familiar symbol in country music, representing the rural South and the renegade spirit of artists such as David Allan Coe and Hank Williams Jr. Cancel. Lynyrd Skynyrd (formed in 1966) is an American southern hard-rock, country and blues band hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, in the U.S. Lynyrd Skynyrd themselves have received quite a bit of backlash regarding their use of its imagery, so it was certainly to be expected. Southerners maintain it's just "heritage, not hate," while critics . It's no secret that many musicians have employed the controversial flag over the years. In 2012, it tried to distance itself from the flag because of its divisive history as a symbol of racism. Some still do today. In 1977, a plane carrying Southern rock lege nds LYNYRD SKYNYRD mysteriously runs out of gas mid-air en route to a concert, crashing into a . Largely seen as a symbol of hatred and painful reminder of America's past, the Confederate Flag has been used by Lynyrd Skynyrd since the 70's to showcase their pride in their Southern roots and all that encompasses it: long, lazy summers, good manners, fervent faith, and a history of great music. Please wait at least 10 minutes before attempting another reset. It's a big move since part of the reason the Confederate flag has remained popular (at least in rock n roll)was because Lynyrd Skynyrd's useof the flagin concerts and memorabilia (back when Rossington didn't think it was associated with the KKK and raging racists). The Southern Poverty Law Center keeps track of the hundreds of hate groups who use the flag as a symbol. Lynyrd Skynyrd- 2009 Tour Shirt. "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" was a song against racism. Size Size Chart. Its also difficult to lay the blame of Lynyrd Skynyrds use of the Confederate Flag entirely at the feet of MCA. We didnt want that to go to our fans or show the image like we agreed with any of the race stuff or any of the bad things.. "Through the years, people like theKKKand skinheads kinda kidnapped the Dixie or Southern flag from its tradition and the heritage of the soldiers, that's what it was about," he said. It was one of my first tattoos. "We didn't want that to go to our fans or show the image like we agreed with any of the race stuff or any of the bad things.". Tom Sizemore, Heat and Saving Private Ryan Actor, Dead at 61 The response soon caused them to clarify that the flag would indeed fly at their shows "every night," although founding member Gary Rossington was quick to denounce its association with hate groups. To the last original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, abandoning the Confederate flag signified the band cutting its ties to racism, the Ku Klux Klan and skinheads. It is this perceived "attitude" which has led to Lynyrd Skynyrd earning a reputation as a "racist" band. While promoting the album on CNN on September 9, 2012, members of the band talked about its discontinued use of Confederate imagery. And thanks to the magic of the Internet, we can ship your Lynyrd Skynyrd merch straight to your doorsteps. The Confederate flag has been removed from the Dukes of Hazzard's "General Lee" car. ' On their farewell tour, Skynyrd eschews any overt display of the Confederate flag, choosing instead to perform in front of the U.S. flag and, during Sweet Home Alabama, that states colors, illustrating Rossingtons point about how there isnt much daylight, at least in his eyes, between the South and America. "I was 18 years old. All logo versions include the band's name in the same script. Lynyrd Skynyrd probably got the Confederate flag thing started about the time they had Sweet Home Alabama on the charts with the message to Neil Young in the lyrics " A southern band don't need you around anyhow". 4 interest-free payments on orders over $45 with Learn More. I will admit, I was a huge Lynyrd Skynyrd fan growing up in Virginia in my teens, and I unfortunately have to admit I also hung a confederate flag in my room next to their poster. The Southern rockers previously announced they would end the band's 40-year tradition of using the Confederate flag as a backdrop for their live shows.. Except, thats not exactly true. Though many applauded Lynyrd Skynyrd's attempt to distance themselves from the Confederate flag, the decision has angered some fans, who took to the internet to swiftly condemn the news. Why fly a flag that stands for the very things we as Southerners have worked so hard to move beyond? A year later, the musician was more succinct in his opinion. Lynyrd Skynyrd has a change of heart. Other artists have used the flag ironically, in an attempt to subvert its meaning. Sale only. Get first access to sales and new products. Your cart contains items that ship out in 5-12 business days. Back when I would wear a Confederate flag on stage along with an American flag and a POW flag and a Dont Tread on Me flag I would be on tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd, and there wasnt a racist thought to be found, the rocker said. Rossington spoke in the original interview about the negative associations made with the flag over the years, including its adoption by such hate organizations as the Ku Klux Klan. The buckle is clearly visible in numerous photos of Scott from this period. It was mostly for a concert for wounded soldiers that was going to take place in Liberty Plaza that they wanted to play for, not the politics Gary Rossington told ABC News. We know what the Dixie flag represents and its heritage; the Civil War was fought over States rights. The group. Lynyrd Skynyrdis arguably the classic rock group most closely associated with the flag. All Rights Reserved.