Gary Rossington Reveals The #1 Thing That ‘Blows His Mind’ About Skynyrd’s Success

File Photo via jacksonville.com

With one of the most extensive catalogs in all of Southern rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s music has been passed on to multiple generations. Out of all of their songs, one of the most iconic is without a doubt, “Sweet Home Alabama,” which was released on their second album, Second Helping. 

Over the years, “Sweet Home Alabama” has gained even more popularity due to it being featured in popular films and television shows. Perhaps most notably, “Sweet Home Alabama” was part of the soundtrack for the 1994 film Forrest Gump, and was also used in the 2002 Reese Witherspoon film of the same title.

Even though “Sweet Home Alabama” was a success when it was first released, Skynyrd never imagined it would continue to be popular over forty years later. For guitarist Gary Rossington, who is the only founding member remaining in Skynyrd, it’s an honor to see how the song has endured.  

“I can’t believe people still love it so much,” he said during an interview with Guitar World. “It’s really special, not just for me but all the members of the band, past and present, whether they’re with us or not. It goes to show that the music is still around.“

But for Gary, what surprises him more than anything else is to see how “Sweet Home Alabama” has adapted to modern technology, giving a whole new generation the chance to hear the song. He specifically referenced cell phone ringtones, and how “Sweet Home Alabama” has racked up millions of downloads over time. 

“It blows my mind,” he said. “It really does. Back when we wrote the song there wasn’t cell phones or the internet or any of that. There wasn’t really much in the way of computers, even. I don’t even think we had Pac-Man yet.“

Even though many of those who have “Sweet Home Alabama” as their ringtone were not born when Skynyrd first released the song, it goes to show the timeless nature of their music. Because of songs like “Sweet Home Alabama,” it’s safe to say that Skynyrd’s place in history has been firmly secured.

You can watch them rock out to their iconic song in the clip below!

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd & Second Helping Live’ is available now on DVD, Blu-ray and digital formats – it’s the perfect gift for the Lynyrd Skynyrd fan in your life. Buy it here on Amazon!