On August 21, 1976, England got a heavy dose of Southern rock when Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage at the third annual Knebworth Festivial. It was the group’s first and only appearance at the festival, but according to those in attendance it was a performance to remember.
The headliner that day was none other than the immensely popular English rock band, The Rolling Stones. But despite the Stones’ popularity, it was Skynyrd that truly stood out that day, and the performance became one of the highlights of their career.
During their appearance at Knebworth, Skynyrd played a selection of their absolute best material, including a song from Second Helping, called “Workin’ for MCA.” Lead singer Ronnie Van Zant and guitarist Ed King co-wrote the song, which references their record label MCA Records. The lyrics tell the story of the earliest days of Skynyrd’s career, and how they ended up signing with MCA after years of hard work.
The crowd couldn’t control themselves the entire time Skynyrd sang “Workin’ for MCA,” and they can often be heard cheering in the middle of the performance. Ronnie tackled the vocals with his typical sense of ferocity, and there was a wealth of instrumental talent showcased in the performance as well.
With Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Steve Gaines on guitar, the performance is one of the best showcases of the band’s signature “triple guitar attack.” Drummer Artimus Pyle also stood out during the performance, as he concluded the song with a invigorating roll on the cymbals.
It’s no wonder Skynyrd’s Knebworth performance is considered one of their best! Tune in to the video below and you’ll see exactly why!
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