LYNYRD SKYNYRD AFTER THE CRASH (1978-1988)
by John Molet

On October 20, 1977, the bird is hit, the free bird touched while flying high, on top of the fame, the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd gets down in deep southern swamps (gas missing was the official version). This tragedy will cost the live of the band and of three of its members, lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and sister and backup singer Cassie Gaines. History is known by every southern rock fan, and by almost every rock fan. Lynyrd Skynyrd then will become the legend of southern rock, but what people know a bit less, are the different musical careers and adventures of the survivors : after the crash, up to the reunion tour, in 1987, of the best southern rock band in the world.

After this tragedy, the surviving members will need such a long time to recover from their injuries (physically and mentally). The first return to the music will be in 1978, when Billy and Artymus will participate in studio sessions with Leo LaBranche (horn player, musical arranger) in El PAso, TX. Many titles have been worked during these sessions but none of these tune came out officially. We'll have to wait a little longer, almost three years to hear new stuff from the surviving members, even if they've been invited to several jams, mostly with the southern rock father, Charlie Daniels.

The great surprise will come out with "Alias", who 'll give us, in 1979, a nice album called "Contraband", somewhere between country and southern rock, which will be a great album, and first of all, this is the return of the firstof the survivors : Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Artimus Pyle and Jojo Billingsley on vocals. This album wasn't well received by the medias but it surely deserved more than it did.

But the "big wakeup" will come a year later when the two bad boys of Jacksonville decided to get back to their music and guitars. And that's the way the great Rossingron Collins band was born, back in 1980. After listening to this album, we could confirm it was great day, mostly for the ones waiting for the return of their heroes. "Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere" was such a great album, magical !!! Certainly the best one released after the crash, besides the two brothers on guitar, there was Barry Harwood on third guitar, and it was a great pleasure to discover Dale Krantz on vocals (what a great vocalist), all this with a fantastic rhytmic section with Leon Wilkeson and Derek Hess, and of course Billy Powell is on keyboards. Such great music, and so close to Skynyrd's. Motivated by the good receiving of this album, the second one will come out a year later. "This is the way" will be released in 1981. May be this one is a bit underneath the first one, but ot contains such great songs, "Tashauna", "Don't stop me now", but unfortunately, this musical style is not the one played on the radio, as rock FM wil be, and this album will never get the receive it deserved and it will close down the musical collaboration between Rossington and Collins.

The long way back to the return, Artimus Pyle will also experience it, back in 1982, when he created APB (Artimus Pyle Band, or All Points Bulletin). Artimus chose a different musical approach, may be because of the RCB's failure. That's the reason why I won't discuss too much on the two albums he released, "APB" in 1982 and "Nightcaller" in 1983.

It's also in 1983 that the big hair boy, Allen Collins, git a deal with MCA and starts a new band, his own band, and some members of the Skynyrd's family will be involved in the project. The "Allen Collins Band" was ALlen Collins on guitars, Barry Harwood and Randall Hall on guitars, Billy Powell on keyboards, Leon Wilkeson on bass and Derek Hess on drums. Their album is titled "Here, There and Back". As with the "Anytime, anyplace, anywhere", you can feel the musical heritage. This album contains really great southern songs such as "Time after time", "Ready to move", "Commitments", or "Everything you need". Fans well real happy but not the medias, as always with southern rock !!!!

The following years didn't prouch much music for our heroes and we'll have to wait 'till 1986, when brother Gary, after being married with Dale Krantz and being father of two children, decided to get back in the studio, to return to the scene of the crime, as the album will be titled. Xith this title, some will see a message. Whatever its' a message or not, this album is pretty much Skynyrd influenced, and it's with the Rossington that Gary will get back to the business. He'll bring a brand new guitar player in the lineup, Jay Johnson who is now fronting the Southern Rock Allstars. Gary will release an other album two years later, in 1988, "Love your man", a great album where everyone can appreciate the feeling and the sensibility of Dale Krantz-Rossington. Good feelings will be the main topic of the album, with songs like "Welcome me home", "Love your man", "Stay With me", "Say it from the Heart", among others. So many proofs that these people don't have a stone in their heart. This album will tbe the end of the solo careers as they all get back together for a reunion tour in 1987, and to this day, the greatest southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, is still on the road for the joy of its fans.

Alias - 1979
Contraband

Rossington Colins Band - 1980
Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere

Rossington Colins Band - 1981
This is the way

Allen Colins Band - 1983
Here, there and back

Rossington - 1986
Returned to the scene of the crime

Rossington - 1988
Love your man

APB - 1982
APB

APB - 1983
Nightcaller

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