Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock

Rock music

Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...

 band prominent in spreading Southern Rock

Southern rock

Southern rock is a subgenre of rock music, and genre of Americana. It developed in the Southern United States from rock and roll, country music, and blues, and is focused generally on electric guitar and vocals...

 during the 1970s.

Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...

, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird

Freebird

Freebird may refer to:* Free Bird - The rock anthem by American band Lynyrd Skynyrd* Freebird - The 2008 film by Jon Ivay* Freebird Airlines - The Turkish airline...

. Tragically, three members died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an end to the band's most popular incarnation at the peak of its success.

Surviving members re-formed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead singer Ronnie Van Zant

Ronnie Van Zant

Ronald Wayne "Ronnie" Van Zant was an American lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd...

's younger brother Johnny

Johnny Van Zant

John Roy "Johnny" Van Zant is an American musician and the current lead vocalist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He is the younger brother of Lynyrd Skynyrd co-founder and former lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and .38 Special founder Donnie Van Zant.Van Zant performed during the 1970s with...

 as frontman.