When Lynyrd Skynyrd released a little song called “Sweet Home Alabama,” no one knew what to expect. But now, that little song is one of the band’s most recognizable tunes. Not only that, but “Sweet Home Alabama” has become the unofficial anthem of the South.
It’s almost a rite of passage for any young Southern rock fan to learn how to sing or play “Sweet Home Alabama.” While the genre’s main fan base seems to be in the U.S., there is proof that Southern rock is worldwide.
One only needs to watch the footage from Skynyrd’s performance at the Knebworth festival in England to know how much of an influence their music has in other countries. There are still plenty of Southern rock and Skynyrd fans in the UK, including one young boy named Stuart Weller.
Weller is currently a student at the Newbury Rock School, which specializes in teaching children how to become skilled musicians. As part of his schooling, Weller is required to play covers of famous rock songs that are then recorded and shared online.
It seems that Weller is a big fan of Skynyrd, because he’s covered them a couple of times before. You may have seen his short guitar cover of “Still Unbroken” when he was 14 years old. But he was only 13 when he delivered a full-length cover of “Sweet Home Alabama.”
As you would expect, Weller’s cover isn’t spot on perfect. But considering his young age and the fact that he’s still learning, we’d say that it’s pretty impressive! Plus, he looked like he was having a blast while he was playing, which is ultimately what matters most.
If you’ve been a longtime fan of Skynyrd and Southern rock, then your heart will swell with pride when you watch this little guy play! You can watch his covers and those by Newbury’s other students by clicking here.
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!
