Takin’ It Back To The Day Skynyrd Brought The Heat To Winterland With ‘Cry For The Bad Man’

Lynyrd Skynyrd on MV / YouTube

In February 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd came out with their fourth studio album, Gimme Back My Bullets. The album was filled with memorable tracks such as “Double Trouble” and “All I Can Do is Write About It.”

How can we talk about Gimme Back My Bullets without mentioning “Cry for the Bad Man”? Written by guitarists Allen Collins and Gary Rossington and frontman Ronnie Van Zant, the song is about a “money miser” of a man who “lives his life for a dollar sign.” But the narrator is the opposite, as a man work works seven days a week and eight when he’s able, as the lyrics go. 

This song is all about celebrating common people with common lives, a theme that is prevalent in Skynyrd’s other material. Ronnie not only knew how to write a good song, but he knew how to sing it too, as he showcased during a performance at the historic Winterland Ballroom.

Located in San Francisco, the Winterland Ballroom welcomed many talented artists through its doors, including Skynyrd, once in 1975 and again in 1976. Their 1976 show came just one month after the release of Gimme Back My Bullets, allowing Skynyrd the perfect opportunity to show off some new songs.

One of those songs was “Cry for the Bad Man,” which Ronnie roared through with his signature sense of energy. Another band member who was heatin’ things up on stage that day was Gary, who had a killer guitar part.

Footage from Skynyrd’s Winterland performance resurfaced in a big way when Music Vault posted it to its YouTube Channel in 2014. The performance of “Cry for the Bad Man” has already generated thousands upon thousands of views. We recently came across it again, and knew we had to share it with you.

If you want to listen to some great music, look no further than the clip below. 

Lynyrd Skynyrd is hitting the road this summer and coming to a city near you – don’t miss your chance to see them LIVE! Tickets always sell out fast for such a legendary band, get yours now by clicking here!

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