The iconic guitar solo and rock ballad “Free Bird” by the American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd first appeared on their debut album (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) released in 1973. While credit for writing the song typically goes to band members Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant, “Free Bird” is most closely associated with lead guitarist Gary Rossington, who played the famous extended guitar solo in the original recording and at countless live shows.
Quick Answers
– The guitar hero most known for “Free Bird” is Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington
– Though Allen Collins co-wrote “Free Bird” with Ronnie Van Zant, Rossington played the iconic solo and is considered responsible for its sound and legacy
– The nearly 5-minute long guitar solo in “Free Bird” cemented Rossington’s status as a guitar legend
Gary Rossington and Allen Collins were co-lead guitarists in Lynyrd Skynyrd during the band’s heyday in the 1970s. While Collins contributed some of the lighter guitar parts on “Free Bird,” it is Rossington’s epic solo that captured the imagination of generations of fans and aspiring guitarists. His masterful playing on this bluesy solo is considered one of the greatest in rock history.
The Story Behind “Free Bird”
“Free Bird” was originally released as the closing track on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album in 1973. According to band members, guitarist Allen Collins first came up with an early version of the song’s piano intro and initial chords. Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant then worked together to write lyrics and expand on the musical ideas.
In an interview decades later, Gary Rossington shared how the guitar solo came together:
“Allen had this little, bitty guitar melody for the start of the solo. So I went in there and Allen sat beside me and put the headphones on me, then I just started playing. And he’d stop me when he heard me hit a bad note, and say I needed to work on this or that, and we’d try it again. We worked several hours on it. That’s where I got the guitar melody and Allen got the vocals for it.”
This collaborative process resulted in the instrumentation and structure of “Free Bird” that fans worldwide came to love. Rossington’s contribution was clearly the most memorable part of the song.
The Iconic Guitar Solo
At nearly five minutes long, Gary Rossington’s rambling and emotive guitar solo on “Free Bird” broke new ground. While extended guitar solos were commonplace in rock music of the late 60s and 70s, few achieved the masterful build, pitch, and feeling that Rossington brought to this solo.
Starting slowly and melancholy, the solo mimics the vocal melody at first. Rossington plays with feeling, bending and vibrating the notes with his fingers and amp distortion. About halfway through, the energy picks up as he starts moving up and down the fretboard, introducing more fast-paced riffs and skillful arpeggios. The intensity continues to build until the very end when Rossington lands on a long, soaring high note that has become ingrained in music history.
This solo not only cemented Rossington’s status as an all-time guitar great, but also turned “Free Bird” into every Southern rock band’s epic finale and one of the most iconic rock songs ever recorded.
The Legacy of “Free Bird” and Gary Rossington
“Free Bird” continues to occupy a special place in American music culture over 40 years after its release. It is routinely named one of the top guitar songs and solos of all time by music publications. The song is guaranteed to get a huge reaction whenever a band breaks it out live or even just teases the opening licks at a concert.
While Lynyrd Skynyrd suffered the devastating loss of members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines in a 1977 plane crash, Rossington and the band carried on the spirit of “Free Bird” with their tribute band Rossington Collins Band in the late 1970s and then again when Lynyrd Skynyrd reformed in 1987. The song remains a staple of their live shows, allowing new generations of fans to experience Rossington’s masterful guitar work.
Some key facts and stats about the legacy of “Free Bird” and Gary Rossington:
- Ranked #3 on Guitar World’s 100 Greatest Guitar Solos list
- Featured on countless “best of” rock song and solo lists
- Played over 4 million times on FM radio stations
- Second most requested song on FM radio behind “Stairway to Heaven”
- Used in films like Forrest Gump, Happy Gilmore, and Kingsman
- Beloved classic rock staple still heard regularly on radio today
- Performed by hundreds of bands across many genres worldwide
- Gary Rossington still plays it at every Lynyrd Skynyrd show 48 years later
Gary Rossington’s consummate guitar work on “Free Bird” cemented his status as a guitar icon. While bandmate Allen Collins came up with the initial music and lyrics, Rossington’s solo transcended the song into the rock stratosphere. When listeners hear those familiar opening notes or think of epic Southern rock guitar, Rossington’s “Free Bird” solo is what first comes to mind.
Other Epic Rossington Solos with Lynyrd Skynyrd
While “Free Bird” is Rossington’s most iconic guitar moment, he recorded many other all-time great Southern rock solos with Lynyrd Skynyrd:
“Simple Man”
Appearing on the band’s debut album, Rossington takes a more restrained and melodic solo during this ballad. Great use of vibrato and smooth phrasing.
“Tuesday’s Gone”
Soaring and singing guitar lines with liberal use of slide. Has a similar vibe to “Free Bird.”
“Gimme Three Steps”
Uptempo, twangy solo with a country vibe. Rossington gets playful on the fretboard.
“Call Me The Breeze”
Jaunty blues solo in the style of J.J. Cale. Rapid-fire licks show off Rossington’s skills.
“Sweet Home Alabama”
Crunchy and infectious riffing. Short but sweet burst of southern flair.
Rossington crafted many memorable guitar parts across Skynyrd’s catalog. But none can rival the impact left by his “Free Bird” solo cementing his status as a guitar legend.
Other Epic Guitar Solos Inspired by “Free Bird”
The sheer length and emotive playing of Rossington’s landmark solo inspired countless other epic guitar showcases. Here are some other classic rock anthems featuring extended solos clearly influenced by “Free Bird:”
Song | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|
“November Rain” | Guns N’ Roses | Over 2 minutes |
“Comfortably Numb” | Pink Floyd | Over 2 minutes |
“Eruption” | Van Halen | 1 minute 45 seconds |
“Jessica” | The Allman Brothers | Over 2 minutes |
“Hotel California” | Eagles | 2 minutes |
These sprawling guitar journeys in classic rock staples show the influence of Rossington’s groundbreaking solo. The blueprint he laid down for emotive playing and build to an intense crescendo can be felt in these and many other rock solos from the 70s onward.
Conclusion
In the end, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington deserves the credit for creating the epic guitar solo in “Free Bird” that changed rock music. While Allen Collins co-wrote the song with Ronnie Van Zant, it was Rossington who gave it its heart and soul with his emotive playing. The nearly five minute guitar showcase is considered one of the greatest solos of all time and cemented Rossington’s status as a guitar legend.
Nearly 50 years later, fans still react with excitement when those familiar opening notes ring out. Rossington’s solo captures the spirit of independence and freedom embraced by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It has inspired endless musicians and remains a staple of rock radio due to its sheer power and nostalgia. “Free Bird” represents the triumph and legacy of not just Lynyrd Skynyrd, but guitar hero Gary Rossington and his peerless, timeless guitar work.