Los Angeles, CA – Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Rickey Medlocke—members of the groundbreaking Southern Rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd—join Dan Rather for a candid conversation in an all-new episode of The Big Interview on Tuesday, October 23 at 9pE/6pP.
Filmed amidst the band’s farewell tour, which began in May, the episode finds the trio reflecting on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s enduring legacy, as well as their undying Southern pride, and the creative process behind some of their biggest hits. During the discussion, the band warmly remembers legendary lead singer Ronnie Van Zant—who was tragically killed in the 1977 plane crash that also claimed the lives of three other band members—as a gifted songwriter who could seemingly pluck hits out of thin air. Rossington recalls, “He came out with stuff because he felt so much from his heart, and it just came through him… They would come to him, and they were magical. Like I keep saying, if he couldn’t remember ‘em, he wouldn’t write it. It had to be good enough to remember, and most of ‘em are.” Check out the clip here.
Over the years, Rossington has dealt with more than his share of health problems stemming from severe issues with his heart—leading the band to put an end to their rigorous touring schedule. However, the beloved guitarist offers Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legion of passionate fans some hope for the future, explaining, “It takes a long time to finish a farewell tour when you’re like us, ‘cause we’ve played everywhere… I keep jokin’ it’d take ten years to do the farewell tour.” He continues, “But then after that, after a few years of doin’ [the farewell tour], we’re gonna do a new record. So, we won’t go away, but we won’t be touring every year like we do.” A press clip is available here.
To see more of this insightful episode, tune in to The Big Interview on Tuesday, October 23 at 9pE/6pP, only on AXS TV.