American Southern rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. Original lineup: Ronnie Van Zant (vocals, 1964-1977, died), Gary Rossington (guitar, 1964-2023, died), Allen Collins (guitar, 1964-1990, died), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums). The band's 1977 plane crash killed Van Zant, Steve Gaines (guitar), and Cassie Gaines (vocals), ending the original era.
Five studio albums in the original era (1973-1977), including Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd (1973, featuring "Free Bird"), Second Helping (1974, featuring "Sweet Home Alabama"), and Street Survivors (1977, released three days before the crash). The band reformed in 1987 with Van Zant's brother Johnny Van Zant as vocalist; eight subsequent studio albums. Rossington died in 2023, ending the run of original founding members. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
