The Skynyrd Guys Share The Nitty Gritty Of What Goes Into Making An Album

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After decades in the business, Lynyrd Skynyrd has earned the distinction as rock legends. Their ability to craft songs that speak to real-life people goes unmatched by any other group, which is why so many now refer to them as “America’s Band.”

Over the years, Skynyrd has been responsible for penning some of the most powerful songs in music, from “Simple Man” to “The Last Rebel.” So what exactly goes into the making of these songs and the albums that house them?

While promoting their album Last of a Dyin’ Breed in 2013, the Skynyrd guys opened up about how it all came together. Last.fm got the chance to sit down with lead singer Johnny Van Zant and guitarists Rickey Medlocke and Gary Rossington, who explained the writing process behind Last of a Dyin’ Breed.

As Johnny revealed, they did most of the writing for the album in 2012 in Nashville. While they did a lot of writing in hotel rooms, Johnny shared they often wrote in songs in a place you’d probably never expect.

We’ll write a lot of the parts in the car just riding around through the hills of Tennessee,” he said. “It’s a great vibe. We try to have fun with it, we joke a lot.”

As for what inspires them to write their songs, Johnny says that they draw from their own life experiences and from those of their fans. Speaking about the song “Nothing Comes Easy” in particular, Johnny had this to say:

“The one good thing about being an artist, you can speak your mind through song. Our fans are hard-working people, nothing’s come easy for ninety-nine percent of them. None of them were raised with silver spoons, and neither were we.”

Beyond that, Gary says that the band lives each and every day with the intention of honoring their bandmates who have passed away over the years. “We like keeping their memory alive and the music alive from them and for them, and they kind of help us in their ways,” he said.

You can learn more about Skynyrd’s writing process by tuning in to their interview below. It’s interesting to hear how they make everything come together! 

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!

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