Lynyrd Skynyrd – Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman: A Southern Rock Legacy in Full Glory

Review By Glen Parkes

Few bands in rock history can claim the kind of enduring impact and legendary status that Lynyrd Skynyrd holds. For five decades, their music has been the soundtrack to American rock and roll, blending blues, country, and Southern grit into a genre-defining sound. Their upcoming release, Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman, dropping on June 27, 2025, via Frontiers Music s.r.l., is more than just a live album—it’s a testament to their resilience, influence, and unbreakable bond with their fans. Recorded at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, this performance captures Skynyrd in full force, honoring their past while proving their fire still burns as bright as ever.

A Tribute to the Ages

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s journey has been marked by both triumph and tragedy. From their early days as My Backyard in 1964 to the devastating 1977 plane crash that took the lives of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, and Cassie Gaines, their story is one of endurance, loss, and rebirth. The band’s ability to carry on—first with Johnny Van Zant stepping in for his brother in 1987, and later with guitarist Rickey Medlocke rejoining in 1996—has made them one of the most resilient acts in rock history. With founding guitarist Gary Rossington’s passing in 2023, this live album serves as a poignant farewell to an era and a powerful celebration of their legacy.

A Setlist That Reads Like a Greatest Hits Album

The beauty of Live At The Ryman is that it doesn’t just capture a performance—it captures a moment in history. Kicking off with “What’s Your Name”, the album immediately sets the tone for an electrifying night. The addition of special guests, including John Osborne, Marcus King, Jelly Roll, Donnie Van Zant, and Brent Smith, adds an extra layer of magic to an already historic performance.

A standout moment arrives early with “Workin’ for MCA”, featuring John Osborne, which brings a fresh energy to the track while keeping its classic Southern rock swagger intact. The dual-guitar attack of Skynyrd is as powerful as ever, weaving intricate solos with pure bluesy grit. “You Got That Right” and “I Know A Little” keep the momentum rolling, showing off the tightness of the band and their undeniable chemistry.

The mood shifts with “That Smell”, one of Skynyrd’s most haunting tracks, reminding us of the band’s ability to blend storytelling with hard-hitting rock. But it’s the guests that make this show truly special. Jelly Roll delivers an emotional take on “Tuesday’s Gone”, his gritty voice adding a raw, heartfelt depth to the song’s melancholic themes. Marcus King rips through “Saturday Night Special” with his signature bluesy intensity, proving he’s the perfect fit to carry the torch of Southern rock into the next generation.

Another highlight is “Simple Man”, featuring Brent Smith (Shinedown), whose soaring vocals bring a fresh yet faithful take on the classic. By this point, the energy at the Ryman is at full force, and the crowd’s roar of approval is undeniable. The band keeps the fire going with “Gimme Three Steps” and the always funky “Call Me the Breeze”, before leading into the ultimate crowd anthem—“Sweet Home Alabama”.

And then, of course, there’s “Freebird”. A song that needs no introduction, no explanation—just pure, unfiltered emotion. The extended guitar solo, the wailing leads, the deafening cheers from the crowd—it’s all there, reminding us why this song will live on forever.

A Fitting Tribute to a Timeless Band

If Live At The Ryman proves anything, it’s that Lynyrd Skynyrd will never die. Their music is woven into the fabric of rock and roll history, and this album is a defiant statement that their legacy will continue for generations to come. The addition of guest artists pays homage to the band’s past while looking toward the future, ensuring that Southern rock remains alive and thriving.

In the end, this isn’t just an album—it’s a celebration of everything Lynyrd Skynyrd has stood for over the last 50 years. It’s a fitting tribute to Gary Rossington, Ronnie Van Zant, and all those who came before, as well as a love letter to the fans who have kept their music alive. If you’ve ever turned up a Skynyrd track while cruising down the highway, if you’ve ever screamed the words to “Sweet Home Alabama” at the top of your lungs, or if you’ve ever felt the undeniable power of “Freebird”, then this album is for you.

Simply put, Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman is Lynyrd Skynyrd at their finest—pure, passionate, and everlasting.

Track Listing:

1. What’s Your Name
2. Workin’ for MCA (ft. John Osborne)
3. You Got That Right
4. I Know A Little
5. Down South Jukin
6. That Smell
7. Cry for the Bad Man
8. Saturday Night Special (ft. Marcus King)
9. Tuesday’s Gone (ft. Jelly Roll)
10. Red White and Blue (ft. Donnie Van Zant)
11. Simple Man (ft. Brent Smith)
12. Gimme Three Steps
13. Call Me the Breeze
14. Sweet Home Alabama
15. Freebird
16. Celebrating 50 Years of Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary

This isn’t just a live album—it’s history in the making. With a setlist that reads like a greatest hits compilation, a star-studded lineup of guest musicians, and an electrifying performance at one of the most legendary venues in the world, Celebrating 50 Years – Live At The Ryman is a must-have for any Skynyrd fan.

It’s a reminder that while the members may come and go, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music will always remain.