Find Out What Johnny Colt Once Played That Left Gary Rossington Speechless

John Hancock Photos/SoCal Concert Photos

After bass player Robert Kearns left Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band brought on Johnny Colt, the former bass player in The Black Crowes. Johnny knew he had big shoes to fill once he joined in 2012, so he spent countless hours studying old footage and recordings of Skynyrd in hopes that he could learn how to play all of their classic songs. 

However, no matter how much studying Johnny did, he struggled to make his sound fit Skynyrd’s. He asked the other guys if they remembered how late bassist Leon Wilkeson played his parts, but no one did. Just when he was getting discouraged, Johnny came across some old clips of Leon playing, and that’s when it all clicked for him.

In an interview with Bass Guitar Magazine, Johnny said he realized the secret to Skynyrd’s rhytmn section in the past was that Leon and late keyboardist Billy Powell always created their parts together. Since their parts were connected in every song, Leon and Billy managed to create a unique sound on their own, which turned into something truly one of a kind when paired with the guitars and drums:

“What’s happening with the guitars is that they’re lined up and playing straight, but Billy and Leon are always driving towards elliptical patterns…There’s a reason why, when you hear a cover band play a Skynyrd song, it never sounds right. It’s because Skynyrd’s rhythm section is unique in that there is no point in any Lynyrd Skynyrd song where Billy and Leon don’t know exactly what each other is playing the entire song.”

Once Johnny figured out the connection between Leon and Billy’s parts and studied Leon’s playing technique, he went to the next rehearsal and tried to mimic the way Leon played the bass part in “Sweet Home Alabama.” His playing was so true to Leon’s style that founding member and guitarist Gary Rossington was stunned beyond belief.

That’s it – I haven’t heard that…since Leon died,” Johnny recalled Gary saying at the time.

Since then, Johnny has continued to rock Skynyrd’s rhytmn section, as made clear in the video below of the group’s performance of “Sweet Home Alabama” at the Florida Theatre. Hope you enjoy it!

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!

Want to save this article?

Get this sent to your inbox, plus, get new articles & videos from us every week!

Sponsors / Partners


Interested in becoming a partner?

Contact us for more info

Unapologetically Country

Receive daily updates with the best country music videos, news, and more!