In 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited for what was only meant to be a one time tribute tour. After a ten year hiatus following the devastating plane crash that claimed the lives of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve and Cassie Gaines, fans were excited to hear Skynyrd play some of their favorite tunes again.
What was only intended to be a one time tour turned into a full-scale reunion, and Skynyrd remains active as performers and recorders today. Although they’ve recorded their fair share of new material over the years, they also stay true to tradition by performing many of the band’s old hits, such as “That Smell.”
“That Smell” first appeared on the band’s album Street Survivors, which was released only three days prior to the plane crash. The song was written by Ronnie and guitarist Allen Collins, and was meant to serve as a sort of warning against reckless behavior in the band, particularly involving drugs and alcohol.
After the band reunited in 1987, they took part in the Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam at the Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville. The first song the band performed was “That Smell,” much to the thrill of the crowd.
Right when the band first started playing, the crowd went wild with cheers and applause. But they quieted down as soon as lead singer Johnny Van Zant started singing. His powerful and passionate performance of the song engaged the crowd at a whole new level, and truly showcased his talent as a performer.
You simply have to see this performance for yourself. Tune in below to check it out.
This performance proves why Skynyrd was able to continue on after reuniting in 1987, because their talent simply can’t be beat!
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