Lynyrd Skynyrd may be a Southern rock band, but those guys also know how to play and sing the blues. This is perhaps most evident in their song “The Ballad of Curtis Loew,” which has been treasured by fans for decades.
Guitarist Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant were the ones who wrote the incredibly detailed tune, which tells the story about a man named Curtis Loew.
When he was a child, the narrator in the song used to listen to Curtis Loew play the blues on his dobro, but was the only person who appreciated him and his talent. When Curtis Loew died, no one cared except for the boy, since he was the only person who ever got to know him:
“Play me a song Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew.
I wish that you was here so everyone would know.
People said he was useless, them people all are fools .
‘Cause Curtis you’re the finest picker to ever play the blues.”
Years later, Skynyrd brought their bluesy ballad with them on their Vicious Cycle Tour, which took them to the Amsouth Ampitheatre in Nashville, Tennessee. That particular concert was filmed for a live album and DVD, giving Skynyrd fans around the world the chance to see the tour if they were unable to attend.
Skynyrd put on a dynamic performance of their mournful classic, and everyone in the crowd could be seen singing along. Once you hear the story of Curtis Loew once, it’s a hard one to forget, especially when it’s told to you by Skynyrd themselves.
So go ahead…sit back, relax, kick up your feet, and let Skynyrd take you on a journey to meet Curtis Loew.
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