I am and always will be a die hard Skynyrd fan. I was 16 in 1976 when I saw Skynyrd at the St.Paul Civic Center. I bought my ticket from a drunk scalper who gave back the wrong change so the ticket was free. Used that money to buy a tee shirt and a hit of trip. Awesome show..awesome memory!
I actually disagree with Ronnie's view on handguns, but the fact that he was willing to speak his mind about it makes me respect him even more. The greatest fuckin' rock and roll frontman of all time...Rest in peace, Freebird.
Except what's happening today is much worse. You have mentally ill people able to buy a fucking arsenal then going out shooting up schools and movie theaters. Then you have delusional assholes thinking they need a gun to stop these other crazy fuckers. It's a total clusterfuck of gun humping inbred shitbags. Ronnie would be even more against guns.
Every now and again God sends a true brother of the South down from on high to show and teach us all what this life is really about. Don't You Ever Rest Ronnie!!
The man speaks for himself. No need to wonder what the great RVZ thought about things. Damn straight genius, agitator, rock n roller, cool southern dude.
@@deebo865 I only reserve the title "genius" for fellow humans who display exceptional ability. I guess most folks assign that word to people for their intellectual contributions to society, but also creative contributions. As a bias, I suppose, I tend to give this word "genius" to more artists than deep thinkers. IQ is not a hard and fast rule for me to admire the genius skills of another human. I would include Salk, Sly Stone, Wozniak, Lamar (Hedy), Musk and other historical/contemporary artists in the basket of , "genius". Since you are genuinely curious about my personal thoughts on Ronnie Van Zant, you've probably read this far, so I'll continue. RVS died at the age of 29, a long-haired, bare footed, eye-liner wearing, gun control activist, composer from the deep Southern part of the united states after a half of dozen hit records and the architect of an actual musical "movement". Southern Rock and Roll. Elvis gets RocknRoll (even if he lifted it). BBKing gets the blues (even though there are more prolific players). Cobain gets Grunge (even though he sites other bands as artifacts before him). RVS's music came from the ether. There was nothing like it (or him) before. It's like the story of a 9 year math genius born in a shack in the poorest parts of India. RVS was a unicorn. He spawned countless imitators after that did not come close to his artistic heights. Today's version of Skynyrd is a prime example. Note: Lynyrd Skynyrd was HIS band. No ifs ands buts. Read up, or watch personal testimonial. It was the Ronnie Van Zant band. Apparently, he was very particular about every aspect of the music, therefore we can credit him with everything they created. Even his bandmates speak of passing every artistic choice past him. Plain spoken, poet lyrics, like the words of Hemingway. Hard driving rhythm against dreamy ballads and sometimes razor sharp commentary on current events like an operatic score. He was political, but a genius stays out of politics. He was controversial, but a genius stays out of conflict. He was adored by women (and probably men) but a genius goes fishing instead. I sincerely hope that you asked your question with an open mind, hoping to learn more about why many, many people (like myself) consider RVS a Genius, rather than asking as a contrarian, without hearing his music, or reading his lyrics, or listening to his rare interviews. If you are the later, then I assume you are the same type of person who gives movie reviews based on 2 minute movie trailers and food reviews base on the menu photos instead of taking the time to try everything on the menu. If that's what's going on here and you are simply a contrarian, then I can only offer you this Free Bird -i1ii. Genius gen·ius /ˈjēnyəs/ exceptional intellectual OR creative power or other natural ability. The shoe fits. Ronnie Van Zant was a genius. When you change the world with YOUR music, or your writing, or your film, or your remarkable discovery, I suggest you humbly bow down to the greatness and genius of Ronnie Van Zant. Peace.
@@aaronswanson9761 Well that's a really dumb statement. At what Latitude and Longitude COULD you begin to "throw away all the guns then?" Indiana/Kentucky boarder? WTF does the South have to do with it? You don't think folks in Michigan listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd and shoot guns? You don't think people in North Dakota don't sleep with a loaded gun next the night stand. The South? Wow!!! Ronnie VZ was one just man with his own position on guns and killin'. The South = Guns. That's about as stupid as saying The North = IQ. Regional loyalty is the poison dividing a national. Keep up the good work as a soldier of failure.
Funny how people are quick to say Ronnie was so violent. If you were around in the 1970's , people treated you like dirt if you had long hair and liked the wild life. A good bar fight with a big loud mouth bully was a sport back then. I miss those days when people were real . Ronnie was loved by his friends and if a few rude morons got beat up so be it ! RIP RONNIE
Ronnie's philosophy on gun control was this, he wasn't afraid of an ass whooping. Too many people today are scared of just that. They talk a lot of shit but at the end they can't back it up with their fist and their feet.
I am impressedwith his views. The music industry tried so hard to make them "bad ass southern boys." On the contrary, Ronnie was a gentle man, who would rather go fishing, do taxidermy and spend time with his family. That is a true man. Because of that I like their music more.
@ gail Yeah, all that plus the fact that he was arrested 12 times ( or more not sure ) So Yeah, they all could be 'bad' from time to time. Leon was the pacifist. Billy was the 'hide behind the other's coat tails and Allen and Gary could hold their own in a tight spot. If there was a microphone available Artie would be calling the fight, because you know how he loved the sound of his own voice.
'I've been shot myself'.. LOL He didn't give any details because it was Donnie who shot Ronnie in the foot or leg( can't remember which ) with a BB gun Ronnie took the blame because he didn't want Donnie to get into trouble.. Donnie was just a kid at the time.Kudos to Ronnie, always taking care of his brothers
We used to have bb gun wars! I've been shot with a bb gun several times, I quit the day Mike chason had got a gas powered semi auto for Christmas and was tearing bark off the tree I was hiding behind ! I threw my gun down and surrendered
If you don't love Skynyrd's music or Ronnie you should not cut him down if you care to disupute he is the king of southern rock I am here to defend his honor as well as many other fans, so before your blow your mouth being negative go listen to 4-5 of his albums then we shall chat.
+1besieged King of North, East, South, and West rock. Haven't heard a bad song from them, wish they would play more of their stuff on the radio, everyone think all they are is Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird, and Tuesdays Gone. Soo, soo many great songs that don't get airtime for some reason.
+TomRock81 I know! It truly makes even a fan just sick. I refuse to listen to a station that plays only those three. We have one station here that has added Simple Man and Curtis Loew every now and then. As for TODAY'S Skynyrd, they just should've stopped after Ronnie died, but there were two greedy people. I won't mention names, (cough, Judy, Gary) but those greedy people wanting more money gets THE WORST frontman just because he looks like his brother. I love Donnie and .38 Special, but Johnny, just made his career off his brother. I have zero respect for him and that song he wrote for Ronnie before he joined Skynyrd was stupid, but....he wrote it and sang it solo. He should've kept going solo. I would've had more respect for him.
+Tammy Sigmon I cannot judge what the band did after Ronnie died but my favorite all time band is the original Skynyrd band, but they suffered much tragedy & loss so the band did what bands do banded together with a few new people. I know Johnny is not Ronnie but he does put his heart into his songs I listen to 99.5% of the band Ronnie sang in. I have heard pros and cons of the tribute band , I guess it is what it is. I have a few of the newer bands cd's but find the first band much to my tastes till i die. I rarely hear the other songs of the first band either, they were well hidden , so they should make a comeback with those songs. All of the former songs, if it takes a strong vocalist well, Ronnie had a daughter does she have a son or 2 who could fit the bill as well? I know Johnnie does a great job on Ronnie's songs but in time he too will retire or go out singing... Who is next to try to fill Ronnie's shoes. I think a grandson or nephew or ? my thoughts and opinions. any Skynyrd is better than no Skynyrd to me.
I'm pretty sure Skynyrd didn't have a song called "38 Special." Maybe you're confusing "Saturday Night Special" with the band Ronnie's brother Donnie was in called .38 Special.
Now having lost Jim Ladd both this and part 1 are absolutely legendary. Jim ladd is the only member of the press that Ronnie trusted. And im a former college coach that hates the press and Ronnie disliked them more than i do. I completely understand why. But we have to give Mr Ladd his flowers on these interviews cause of how much he allowed us to get to know Ronnie through these interviews
I am interested in what is the time period of your growing up in Nashville. I m curious because of the same general idea with me. Save, I lived outside the city limits of Nashville, in Rutherford county.
I'm a huge Ronnie VanZant fan. I'm a big fan of Skynyrd and of Ronnie's lyrics. In the 1970's, when this was recorded, doing away with handguns may have been quite practical. I remember having been a teenager in the 70's myself that the crime rate was not nearly what it is today. These days, you better own two to protect you and yours.
I believe the crime rate was much worse in the 70s. In the book Freakonomics they talk about this and how crime peaked in the 70s then slowly ebbed all the way through the 2000s. Their theory is it was due to several factors, but mainly Roe v. Wade which curbed the number of fatherless children that ultimately wind up involved in criminal stuff. That all aside, I'm also a huge fan of Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
I guess it is a trade off with positive and negative energy. While we are blessed to have some of the best music ever recorded i feel so cheated that RVZ and others have been taken from us do to tragic events.
@atmdaddy Gimmme Back My Bullets was a metaphor for the Billboard "bullet" which meant your song was climbing the charts...once you lost the bullett that meant your song had lost it's steam as was probably heading down the charts.
It seems like everyone here is trying to put everyone else into a box. Ronnie was a true Southerner. He was the international ambassador for southern rock and Southern culture. And he didn't think we should all have easy access to handguns. He talked about all the homicides that caused. You can be from a red state, a Southerner, and even a Republican, and still have your own opinions. Ronnie was very clear about his opinion on this issue. And he was a proud Southerner. It's not complicated.
JIm Ladd was one of the best interviewer of the time. As Ronnie said he was talking about things going on in Jax Fla. at the time of this interview. I guess you had to live there to really understand it. It was pretty crazy time in the early 70's. People getting robbed , murdered everyday. Ronnie & Charlie both played the concert to raise money for Ga. Govenor Jimmy Carter to be able to stay in the Presidental Race & Win the office. Im glad Jim Ladd took the time to record this & others for us.
@ Southernborn Well I did live in Jax ( on the Westside ) and still do. Sorry Bud, but your description of violence in the city in the 70s is just plain wrong. At that time, you could still walk down the street at night and not fear for your life. The crack epidemic had not yet heated up. Murder ? Every day ? That's an outright lie. You could still let your kids walk to school and play outside on a summer night without fear of them being killed, kidnapped or sexually assaulted. I'd give anything for things to be like they were in the 70s in Jacksonville
He stood on stage WITH THE MOXIE OF FANS GET READY FOR THE BEST SOUTHERN ROCK YOUVE EVER HEARD AND DEAL WITH IT!!!!!! BEST NAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out about Lynyrd Skynyrd as a kid in the 1970’s Ronnie was one my Musical heroes. I place him at the top right along with Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, Keith Whitley, Bon Scott, Daryle Singletary, etc; All these musicians had a profound effect on me and taught me what to seek out when listening to and/or playing music myself. I am forever grateful to all of these musicians.
ronnie was awesome so sad all the original members have passed on i really wish we got more of ronnie but in a way we never saw him decline it’s bittersweet
Ronnie was a genius, amazing to hear his voice , amazing to see his performances , amazing to re-visit his legacy ... so missed , I am a huge fan , I very often in my head I say “ bless you Ronnie ,and thank you for all your legacy sure all your music did touch my soul on a such level I couldn’t even imagine my life without Lynyrd Skynyrd and all those blessed gifted genius guitar/bass/piano/drums music and wise full of wisdom melodic lyrics ...” Lynyrd Skynyrd to me is untouchable.... absolutely immaculate to the most extremely level on top of the world right there with all the letters in gold and diamonds. R.I.P Ronnie till my judgement day I will have you in my heart and soul like my own family because you are so dear !! Australia 🇦🇺
LYNARD SKYNYRD..MAN YOU GUYS ARE STILL...LOVED AND MISSED..🎶😁 LOOK AT ALL OF THIS COOL, BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE SAYING GREAT THINGS ABOUT Y'ALL..ROCK ON EVERYONE..🎶💕💕💕😁
Everytime we have another school shooting I think of Ronnie and this interview. You are right Ronnie. Rip KY highschool kids who will never be the same. 01/23/2018 😡😭
Listen carefully at clip 00:13-00:18. "Are you into gun control?" Ronnie: "I think they ought to throw them all away." "Really?" Ronnie "Yes." "Just like the song says?" Ronnie "Yes I do." The interviewer asked about gun-control, not hand guns. The song is specifically about saturday night specials which was at the point of controversy at the time. But this interview was about Ronnie's opinion on guns in general. Ronnie portrayed a false persona of hard southerner while being anti-gun.
to answer your question yes I was there and am still here having dealt with it. the ones that can't cope and l use the word effectively are the ones who can either proceed at a different rate or create a void that is quiet difficult to regain composure in
the whole point to taking ALL guns away is so you wont have to use one..IF and yes i said IF,if they were all gone everyone could fight like a man if they have to..and the country boys i grew up around never used a gun to fight..you be a real man and duke it out
I saw them with Ronnie in July 5th 1976/ we took in A gallon of George Dickel 8/ ginger ale/ The Hells Angel,s and Marines, broke out into a fight! And Ronnie said,y'all better quit that shit,or we,ll stop playing,and come down there, and kick ya,lls ass! Winston-Salem NC, Clay Flinchum
It's pretty interesting that Skynyrd recorded a song called God and Guns....(which I personally completely agree with), considering Ronnie's statements here, and the song Sat Night Special.
Ronnie exemplifies the working man's ethos...not lookin' for trouble, but ain't backin' down if it finds me. Treat others as you wanna be treated. and respect is something to be earned, not expected. Believe in GOD, take care of those whom you love, and above all, a man who don't stand for somethin' lays down for anything.
After viewing some video interviews of some people that flew on that plane even before the crash it appears there were multiple problems with that plane. Really kind of scary to here the sound engineer say that flames were shooting out of the starboard engine on the previous flight because of the pilots having to run the engines rich in order to keep the engines running. Also mentioned was that the charter company couldn't afford to fix it but let the plane fly anyway.
Ronnie was against guns???? That's awesome!!! You know, if the county was in better shape and took better care of its citizens as to where people don't have to resort to excrement measures just to get by, then we wouldn't have to worry about guns. We could live in a country where we could leave our doors unlocked and let our children run around without a worried mind... something to think about...
I’m building a guitar from wood from the Hell House original Dock, and foundation from Hell House, and incorporating metal from the plane. Once it’s complete we will loan it out to touring musicians so those timber’s will continue to sing and vibrate. LLLS. Long Live Lynyrd Skynyrd.. if anybody knows Gary Rossington I’d love for him to sign it when complete, or donate a pick, or something I can incorporate into it. Tell him to hit me up. .
Saturday Night Special Ronnie had his own collection of guns and wants to dump them in in the sea no way. Just a money making song. He might have believed it but didn't do it. I've seen pics of him saying that was his gun or guns
* if you have the time to listen to Jo Jo Billingsley 's youtube commentary ~ she states Skynyrd's largest concert was for an audience of 350,000 people and they traveled around the world 3 x ~ you & I do not hold a candle to this band unless you were in are are in Skynyrd's band. WOW~
I'm a die hard skynard fan always have been I grew up to my older brothers playing them and it has influenced my own musical and song writer journey but can any else tell this interviewers voice in this interview sounds like the drummer otimis just saying
Let me add this I love all music like THE BAND ASKED ANYONE TODAY THEY SAY WITCH ONE LOL RIGHT BOB DYLAN JANIS JOPLIN JIM MORRISON OF THE DOORS JIMMY H NEAL YOUNG C.S N.Y.VAN MORRISON DOBIE GRAY ALLMAM B BEFORE GREG BECAME A RAT MARSHALL T. JIM C. GORDON L.EAGLES I CAN GO ON AND ON but you know what I saying all music all the time I will say this but not putting it down rap music make me mad as in violent and I don't know why it's like drinking whiskey to me but I will not put it down because there people who love it like we love SKYNYRD and the names I mentioned you asked young people who they are it's a lost cause I'm 56 years young I grew up listen to the music that I have no doubt about it best was every made and every will be but please don't put music down somewhere in your life you will be able to relate music to every part of your life and for me music is a lot of my life and I bet a lot of you guys know and feel the same way that I do about the music these guys gave us to pass on to our children I listening to classic rock and country with my son and he 8 years old and he noise to words better than me and you guys can count on a bunch of my brain cells might have been burned out on the great time in the history of our country 67 summer of love you guys remember v name well we're at war now where all the hippie and all of the other I haven't seen any kinds of protesters have you it's because no one cares as much as it's hurting me to say that but where all the beautiful people at today I just bummer out not bum out but got really sad saying this God bless you every one of you guys I'm going to d bed now I really got down write this have a great one later
Thank you. But when I carry a gun I fear little. Better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it. Maybe I'll see you at the range someday. Cheers!
and just where would those pics be?? cant recall ever seeing those.i did see one with him in his backyard with a rifle..i dont really understand it but they say handguns are diffrent than rifles.go figure
Great song,but if your in a situation that requires self protection,better to have it and not use it,than not have it.Makes us all equal.They will try to make us unequal from what the crooks have .Be smart with your fire arms,if you have them keep them away from your kids.
Yeah, If guns kill then matches start fires. Anyone with matches scare me. They might grab some wood. Start a fire and brew some coffee. Dangerous people they are...
There's a big difference between lynyrd skynyrd and the tribute band that came along in 87... Too many think there one and the same.... Artimus pyle said it best.. there is no lynyrd skynyrd without Ronnie VanZant.. and it pisses me off when ppl take stage dressed up like my dead friends.... A.pyle....
@ djKally Bullets in a gun and bullets as in bullet points in the music charts, Gimme Me Back My Bullets was referring to the charts. He wanted those bullet points to keep rising on the charts.
Ronnie Van Zant is a genius and the world is a far less musical place without him.
Agreed
There'll never be another like him. He was one of a kind...
Says u
A voice of unrivaled authenticity.
He never wrote anything down on paper, according to some band mates. He remembered all lyrics to all the songs he wrote.
I am and always will be a die hard Skynyrd fan. I was 16 in 1976 when I saw Skynyrd at the St.Paul Civic Center. I bought my ticket from a drunk scalper who gave back the wrong change so the ticket was free. Used that money to buy a tee shirt and a hit of trip. Awesome show..awesome memory!
he'll yea friend wish I could have been there I would have tripped like a free bird with ya
Bart Hogan Me too....but I never got to see em.😳✌
Hey, I'm that drunk scalper. You owe me $4.50 dammit. Plus interest.
That's awesome man
@@a.mnmemories4289 plus inflation
A multi faceted man but what a songwriter. He was something else.
Rest in peace Ronnie
G.O.A.T.Greatest of all time there will never be anything to compare
Never
One of kind , often imitated but never duplicated :)
I actually disagree with Ronnie's view on handguns, but the fact that he was willing to speak his mind about it makes me respect him even more.
The greatest fuckin' rock and roll frontman of all time...Rest in peace, Freebird.
Amen to that. Seems like guns and Skynyrd go hand in hand to me.
Ronnie was shot. Thats why he thought people were not smart enough to have them. Thats what the song says too.
+Thelonesniper101 Ronnies view on handguns was based on what was happening in the world back at that time. Not the present times.
Except what's happening today is much worse. You have mentally ill people able to buy a fucking arsenal then going out shooting up schools and movie theaters. Then you have delusional assholes thinking they need a gun to stop these other crazy fuckers. It's a total clusterfuck of gun humping inbred shitbags. Ronnie would be even more against guns.
The majority of gun crimes are committed by people who have no diagnosis of mental illness.
I like the "sir" part. That's shows respect. And respect goes a long way. Thank you.
Oh those songs those times THAT WAS MAGIC THERE AIN'T NO MUSIC TODAY THAT COMPARES
KNEW HIM BACK IN THE DAY, TUFF MAN, GREAT PERFORMER, FANTASTIC WRITER, , JUST ANOTHER JAX AND ORANGE PARK BOY
@ scott nasta
RVZ was never an Orange Park boy until he bought a house on Brickyard Rd as a man.
These old school FM radio events were so cool to hear...just a different time. I miss these old radio events. All we had back then...
Every now and again God sends a true brother of the South down from on high to show and teach us all what this life is really about. Don't You Ever Rest Ronnie!!
Sho right
Dudes an American southern legend. Has a mystique that’s been immortalized.
The man speaks for himself. No need to wonder what the great RVZ thought about things. Damn straight genius, agitator, rock n roller, cool southern dude.
how is he a genius im genuinely curious
@@deebo865 I only reserve the title "genius" for fellow humans who display exceptional ability. I guess most folks assign that word to people for their intellectual contributions to society, but also creative contributions. As a bias, I suppose, I tend to give this word "genius" to more artists than deep thinkers. IQ is not a hard and fast rule for me to admire the genius skills of another human. I would include Salk, Sly Stone, Wozniak, Lamar (Hedy), Musk and other historical/contemporary artists in the basket of , "genius". Since you are genuinely curious about my personal thoughts on Ronnie Van Zant, you've probably read this far, so I'll continue. RVS died at the age of 29, a long-haired, bare footed, eye-liner wearing, gun control activist, composer from the deep Southern part of the united states after a half of dozen hit records and the architect of an actual musical "movement". Southern Rock and Roll. Elvis gets RocknRoll (even if he lifted it). BBKing gets the blues (even though there are more prolific players). Cobain gets Grunge (even though he sites other bands as artifacts before him). RVS's music came from the ether. There was nothing like it (or him) before. It's like the story of a 9 year math genius born in a shack in the poorest parts of India. RVS was a unicorn. He spawned countless imitators after that did not come close to his artistic heights. Today's version of Skynyrd is a prime example. Note: Lynyrd Skynyrd was HIS band. No ifs ands buts. Read up, or watch personal testimonial. It was the Ronnie Van Zant band. Apparently, he was very particular about every aspect of the music, therefore we can credit him with everything they created. Even his bandmates speak of passing every artistic choice past him. Plain spoken, poet lyrics, like the words of Hemingway. Hard driving rhythm against dreamy ballads and sometimes razor sharp commentary on current events like an operatic score. He was political, but a genius stays out of politics. He was controversial, but a genius stays out of conflict. He was adored by women (and probably men) but a genius goes fishing instead. I sincerely hope that you asked your question with an open mind, hoping to learn more about why many, many people (like myself) consider RVS a Genius, rather than asking as a contrarian, without hearing his music, or reading his lyrics, or listening to his rare interviews. If you are the later, then I assume you are the same type of person who gives movie reviews based on 2 minute movie trailers and food reviews base on the menu photos instead of taking the time to try everything on the menu. If that's what's going on here and you are simply a contrarian, then I can only offer you this Free Bird -i1ii. Genius
gen·ius
/ˈjēnyəs/
exceptional intellectual OR creative power or other natural ability.
The shoe fits. Ronnie Van Zant was a genius. When you change the world with YOUR music, or your writing, or your film, or your remarkable discovery, I suggest you humbly bow down to the greatness and genius of Ronnie Van Zant. Peace.
You can't be Southern and Suggest that we throw away all our guns.
@@aaronswanson9761 Well that's a really dumb statement. At what Latitude and Longitude COULD you begin to "throw away all the guns then?" Indiana/Kentucky boarder? WTF does the South have to do with it? You don't think folks in Michigan listen to Lynyrd Skynyrd and shoot guns? You don't think people in North Dakota don't sleep with a loaded gun next the night stand. The South? Wow!!! Ronnie VZ was one just man with his own position on guns and killin'. The South = Guns. That's about as stupid as saying The North = IQ. Regional loyalty is the poison dividing a national. Keep up the good work as a soldier of failure.
@@deebo865 if you are to much of a dull wit to figure it out..
. 😂
My favorite band 🎸
Funny how people are quick to say Ronnie was so violent. If you were around in the 1970's , people treated you like dirt if you had long hair and liked the wild life. A good bar fight with a big loud mouth bully was a sport back then. I miss those days when people were real . Ronnie was loved by his friends and if a few rude morons got beat up so be it ! RIP RONNIE
I wish Ronnie Van Zant was alive. He would know what to do about what is going on in America
Are you on medication?
Him and ted ted Nugent as President and vice President would be AWESOME
He would not being voting Kamala...
This song is great...Artimus' father died the day he recorded this...he really channeled that pain and energy into his playing on this one!
Yes!!
1/18/75 and it was a Saturday
Ronnie's philosophy on gun control was this, he wasn't afraid of an ass whooping. Too many people today are scared of just that. They talk a lot of shit but at the end they can't back it up with their fist and their feet.
I am impressedwith his views. The music industry tried so hard to make them "bad ass southern boys." On the contrary, Ronnie was a gentle man, who would rather go fishing, do taxidermy and spend time with his family. That is a true man. Because of that I like their music more.
@ gail
Yeah, all that plus the fact that he was arrested 12 times ( or more not sure ) So Yeah, they all could be 'bad' from time to time. Leon was the pacifist. Billy was the 'hide behind the other's coat tails and Allen and Gary could hold their own in a tight spot. If there was a microphone available Artie would be calling the fight, because you know how he loved the sound of his own voice.
@ Gail
Too bad you can't ask Billy Powell how 'gentle' Ronnie was when he (Ronnie ) punched out Billy's four front teeth.
i wish the music wasnt played through the whole interview and we could actually hear the interview!
Yeah pretty much made it on watchable for me
Going back in the past. WoW. Its good to hear him. Again. After all this year's. R.I.P. Brother. See ya, all in Rock -n- Roll Heaven.
'I've been shot myself'.. LOL He didn't give any details because it was Donnie who shot Ronnie in the foot or leg( can't remember which ) with a BB gun Ronnie took the blame because he didn't want Donnie to get into trouble.. Donnie was just a kid at the time.Kudos to Ronnie, always taking care of his brothers
We used to have bb gun wars! I've been shot with a bb gun several times, I quit the day Mike chason had got a gas powered semi auto for Christmas and was tearing bark off the tree I was hiding behind ! I threw my gun down and surrendered
This is true. It was Donnie, he was about 11 or 12 and Ronnie was 16. And it was the leg. In the calf i believe.
i love how Gary and Allen are sitting right next to each other... :) xoxoxo love these guys
Prophetic Ronnie even in 1975! Listen People 🕊😪
It’s all about their music!!What an era to be alive!!!🤠🤠🤠🤠
If you don't love Skynyrd's music or Ronnie you should not cut him down if you care to disupute he is the king of southern rock I am here to defend his honor as well as many other fans, so before your blow your mouth being negative go listen to 4-5 of his albums then we shall chat.
+1besieged King of North, East, South, and West rock. Haven't heard a bad song from them, wish they would play more of their stuff on the radio, everyone think all they are is Sweet Home Alabama, Freebird, and Tuesdays Gone. Soo, soo many great songs that don't get airtime for some reason.
+TomRock81 I know! It truly makes even a fan just sick. I refuse to listen to a station that plays only those three. We have one station here that has added Simple Man and Curtis Loew every now and then. As for TODAY'S Skynyrd, they just should've stopped after Ronnie died, but there were two greedy people. I won't mention names, (cough, Judy, Gary) but those greedy people wanting more money gets THE WORST frontman just because he looks like his brother. I love Donnie and .38 Special, but Johnny, just made his career off his brother. I have zero respect for him and that song he wrote for Ronnie before he joined Skynyrd was stupid, but....he wrote it and sang it solo. He should've kept going solo. I would've had more respect for him.
+Tammy Sigmon
I cannot judge what the band did after Ronnie died but my favorite all time band is the original Skynyrd band, but they suffered much tragedy & loss so the band did what bands do banded together with a few new people. I know Johnny is not Ronnie but he does put his heart into his songs I listen to 99.5% of the band Ronnie sang in.
I have heard pros and cons of the tribute band , I guess it is what it is. I have a few of the newer bands cd's but find the first band much to my tastes till i die. I rarely hear the other songs of the first band either, they were well hidden , so they should make a comeback with those songs. All of the former songs, if it takes a strong vocalist well, Ronnie had a daughter does she have a son or 2 who could fit the bill as well? I know Johnnie does a great job on Ronnie's songs but in time he too will retire or go out singing... Who is next to try to fill Ronnie's shoes. I think a grandson or nephew or ?
my thoughts and opinions. any Skynyrd is better than no Skynyrd to me.
+1besieged amen brotha
I'm pretty sure Skynyrd didn't have a song called "38 Special." Maybe you're confusing "Saturday Night Special" with the band Ronnie's brother Donnie was in called .38 Special.
ronnie .... one of the best ever
It amazes me that after all these years I still remember the words to all these great songs ! RiP Ron
Now having lost Jim Ladd both this and part 1 are absolutely legendary. Jim ladd is the only member of the press that Ronnie trusted. And im a former college coach that hates the press and Ronnie disliked them more than i do. I completely understand why. But we have to give Mr Ladd his flowers on these interviews cause of how much he allowed us to get to know Ronnie through these interviews
Just not the same band today and has not been since Ronnie died.
I am interested in what is the time period of your growing up in Nashville. I m curious because of the same general idea with me. Save, I lived outside the city limits of Nashville, in Rutherford county.
I agree that the band is not the same without Ronnie, he was the heart and soul of the band.
Jessica Thomson I agree but I still respect the guys trying to carry it on.
Just a tribute band without Ronnie and Allan..seriously
No Shit Sherlock thanks Mr Obviously
What're you gonna do fire us? Lmao Ronnie was the man.
Definately the King
I'm a huge Ronnie VanZant fan. I'm a big fan of Skynyrd and of Ronnie's lyrics. In the 1970's, when this was recorded, doing away with handguns may have been quite practical. I remember having been a teenager in the 70's myself that the crime rate was not nearly what it is today. These days, you better own two to protect you and yours.
I believe the crime rate was much worse in the 70s. In the book Freakonomics they talk about this and how crime peaked in the 70s then slowly ebbed all the way through the 2000s. Their theory is it was due to several factors, but mainly Roe v. Wade which curbed the number of fatherless children that ultimately wind up involved in criminal stuff. That all aside, I'm also a huge fan of Ronnie Van Zant and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Nope. Never give up your firearms.
I guess it is a trade off with positive and negative energy. While we are blessed to have some of the best music ever recorded i feel so cheated that RVZ and others have been taken from us do to tragic events.
@atmdaddy Gimmme Back My Bullets was a metaphor for the Billboard "bullet" which meant your song was climbing the charts...once you lost the bullett that meant your song had lost it's steam as was probably heading down the charts.
such kickass songs
It be nice if people kept their honor their morals and their beliefs like he did and spoke truth to power. He was just real.
It seems like everyone here is trying to put everyone else into a box.
Ronnie was a true Southerner. He was the international ambassador for southern rock and Southern culture. And he didn't think we should all have easy access to handguns. He talked about all the homicides that caused.
You can be from a red state, a Southerner, and even a Republican, and still have your own opinions. Ronnie was very clear about his opinion on this issue. And he was a proud Southerner. It's not complicated.
JIm Ladd was one of the best interviewer of the time. As Ronnie said he was talking about things going on in Jax Fla. at the time of this interview. I guess you had to live there to really understand it. It was pretty crazy time in the early 70's. People getting robbed , murdered everyday. Ronnie & Charlie both played the concert to raise money for Ga. Govenor Jimmy Carter to be able to stay in the Presidental Race & Win the office. Im glad Jim Ladd took the time to record this & others for us.
@ Southernborn
Well I did live in Jax ( on the Westside ) and still do. Sorry Bud, but your description of violence in the city in the 70s is just plain wrong. At that time, you could still walk down the street at night and not fear for your life. The crack epidemic had not yet heated up. Murder ? Every day ? That's an outright lie. You could still let your kids walk to school and play outside on a summer night without fear of them being killed, kidnapped or sexually assaulted. I'd give anything for things to be like they were in the 70s in Jacksonville
He stood on stage WITH THE MOXIE OF FANS GET READY FOR THE BEST SOUTHERN ROCK YOUVE EVER HEARD AND DEAL WITH IT!!!!!! BEST NAND EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out about Lynyrd Skynyrd as a kid in the 1970’s Ronnie was one my Musical heroes. I place him at the top right along with Merle Haggard, Jim Croce, Keith Whitley, Bon Scott, Daryle Singletary, etc; All these musicians had a profound effect on me and taught me what to seek out when listening to and/or playing music myself. I am forever grateful to all of these musicians.
ronnie was awesome so sad all the original members have passed on i really wish we got more of ronnie but in a way we never saw him decline it’s bittersweet
Ronnie was a fisherman! Why ya'll want to keep talk'in guns?Now if wanna talk a fishing I guess that'll be ok man!
Because SNS was about guns
Do t ask me no questions!
I think you sir have a underrated comment
In several interviews I've read with Ronnie Van Zant over the years. All easily accessible via the web.
Ronnie was a genius, amazing to hear his voice , amazing to see his performances , amazing to re-visit his legacy ... so missed , I am a huge fan , I very often in my head I say “ bless you Ronnie ,and thank you for all your legacy sure all your music did touch my soul on a such level I couldn’t even imagine my life without Lynyrd Skynyrd and all those blessed gifted genius guitar/bass/piano/drums music and wise full of wisdom melodic lyrics ...”
Lynyrd Skynyrd to me is untouchable.... absolutely immaculate to the most extremely level on top of the world right there with all the letters in gold and diamonds.
R.I.P Ronnie till my judgement day I will have you in my heart and soul like my own family because you are so dear !!
Australia 🇦🇺
LYNARD SKYNYRD..MAN YOU GUYS ARE STILL...LOVED AND MISSED..🎶😁 LOOK AT ALL OF THIS COOL, BEAUTIFUL, PEOPLE SAYING GREAT THINGS ABOUT Y'ALL..ROCK ON EVERYONE..🎶💕💕💕😁
Yes he did :-)
Everytime we have another school shooting I think of Ronnie and this interview. You are right Ronnie. Rip KY highschool kids who will never be the same. 01/23/2018 😡😭
@ Amanda
School shootings are rarely, if ever committed by handguns.
@@TheFruitloop186No way you missed her point,though. Or Ronnie's. Salute no bullets to the head,I say.
Listen carefully at clip 00:13-00:18. "Are you into gun control?" Ronnie: "I think they ought to throw them all away." "Really?" Ronnie "Yes." "Just like the song says?" Ronnie "Yes I do." The interviewer asked about gun-control, not hand guns. The song is specifically about saturday night specials which was at the point of controversy at the time. But this interview was about Ronnie's opinion on guns in general. Ronnie portrayed a false persona of hard southerner while being anti-gun.
No he just was anti-gun.
@@panosanest7625There was zero false persona with Ronnie Van Zant!
to answer your question yes I was there and am still here having dealt with it. the ones that can't cope and l use the word effectively are the ones who can either proceed at a different rate or create a void that is quiet difficult to regain composure in
the whole point to taking ALL guns away is so you wont have to use one..IF and yes i said IF,if they were all gone everyone could fight like a man if they have to..and the country boys i grew up around never used a gun to fight..you be a real man and duke it out
“I really don’t like ‘em.”
If only he could’ve seen what we’re able to get ahold of today…
Ronnie was entitled to his opinion and no one has the right to question that
I saw them with Ronnie in July 5th 1976/ we took in A gallon of George Dickel 8/ ginger ale/ The Hells Angel,s and Marines, broke out into a fight! And Ronnie said,y'all better quit that shit,or we,ll stop playing,and come down there, and kick ya,lls ass! Winston-Salem NC, Clay Flinchum
Wow I would have been shaking like a leaf on a tree
I believe that might be Kevin Elson who ran sound and helped in the studio on "STREET SURVIVORS"...
Magic!!
It's pretty interesting that Skynyrd recorded a song called God and Guns....(which I personally completely agree with), considering Ronnie's statements here, and the song Sat Night Special.
The later Skynyrd is a tribute money maker band.
@@panosanest7625 yep making money for ronnie's family, thecollins family Gaines family the Powell's and Wilkerson clan something wrong with that bub
@@davidcoleman4291 Gee, that was nice of them to cut them in.
@@robertthomas1569 gee whiz never understand you people
50 plus years later and America has become the gun capital of the world. And we have the highest prison population in the world also.
I'm from Texas and I'm all for protecting yourself but the gun culture in this country really is just too much and unnecessary
Big Jim Crack that guitar riff.Gary Ronnie Ed King put this song together Longest Yard movie back in the day 😊
4:39 Ronnie was a DAC fan
Never would have guessed Ronnie was for gun control.
Don't specter he was cause on cheatin woman he says gonna get that pistol gal gonna shoot you and all your pals lol
People under ruthless dictators sing give me back my bullet cause the lost there freedom..No freebirds there.Just chains
from the trade magazines....as in Billboard magazine. Like a bullet on a power point?
I love my guns,,,and the 2nd ammendment, ,to each his own
Ronnie exemplifies the working man's ethos...not lookin' for trouble, but ain't backin' down if it finds me. Treat others as you wanna be treated. and respect is something to be earned, not expected. Believe in GOD, take care of those whom you love, and above all, a man who don't stand for somethin' lays down for anything.
That's Tim Smith, an engineer at Muscle Schoals.
The photo was taken in Muscle Shoals... where they got the swampaz
After viewing some video interviews of some people that flew on that plane even before the crash it appears there were multiple problems with that plane. Really kind of scary to here the sound engineer say that flames were shooting out of the starboard engine on the previous flight because of the pilots having to run the engines rich in order to keep the engines running. Also mentioned was that the charter company couldn't afford to fix it but let the plane fly anyway.
Aerosmith did not want to fly in that plane and those guys were high as kites
@@milkylicker6963frickin pilots ran out of fuel. No one expects the pilots to be that inept. Screw Peter Rudge for skimping and skimming..
My hero!
RIP to wll the original members of Lynyrd Skynyrd...
Anyone know what RVZ's t-shirt says ? "Get thy ?"
eski502
Would you possibly mean 'waist band' ? Where can we find this photo, I've never seen it. Sure it wasn't a prop ?
"And thats the end of the sooooooong...."
Ronnie was against guns???? That's awesome!!! You know, if the county was in better shape and took better care of its citizens as to where people don't have to resort to excrement measures just to get by, then we wouldn't have to worry about guns. We could live in a country where we could leave our doors unlocked and let our children run around without a worried mind... something to think about...
What's the story behind Ronnie being shot?!!?!
@ glenn
Ronnie's little brother Donnie shot him in the foot with a BB gun when Donnie was nine.
agreed 100%
I know the whole interview is untouched somewhere
SouthernPride76
The 'rifle in the backyard' was Johnny not Ronnie. Just sayin.
I’m building a guitar from wood from the Hell House original Dock, and foundation from Hell House, and incorporating metal from the plane. Once it’s complete we will loan it out to touring musicians so those timber’s will continue to sing and vibrate. LLLS.
Long Live Lynyrd Skynyrd.. if anybody knows Gary Rossington I’d love for him to sign it when complete, or donate a pick, or something I can incorporate into it. Tell him to hit me up. .
like all musicians they were alot better on stage than in real life
Was Fagan Roberts a part of the Movie "Dazed and Confused". NO I think they even REJECTED Him.
R.I.P. Ronnie,won't you fly freebird yeah!...PEACE
Southern Rocks Finest! Ronnie Van Zant and all his mules and don’t forget the lovely Honkettes ❤️❤️❤️
Good ole boy that didn't take too much bull crap before he would bare arms. He made up with it with his voice... 😝
It's not an opinion but a right.
Saturday Night Special Ronnie had his own collection of guns and wants to dump them in in the sea no way. Just a money making song. He might have believed it but didn't do it. I've seen pics of him saying that was his gun or guns
Loose the Stetson there MR. NO GUN TOTING COWBOY, LOL
* if you have the time to listen to Jo Jo Billingsley 's youtube commentary ~ she states Skynyrd's largest concert was for an audience of 350,000 people and they traveled around the world 3 x ~ you & I do not hold a candle to this band unless you were in are are in Skynyrd's band. WOW~
+1besieged the 350, 000 was at Knebworth. That wasn't a crowd who was there just to see Skynyrd. Other bands were there too.
I'm a die hard skynard fan always have been I grew up to my older brothers playing them and it has influenced my own musical and song writer journey but can any else tell this interviewers voice in this interview sounds like the drummer otimis just saying
totally..
Comparing 2 men who were outspoken and stood up for what they believe in. Comprehende?
Let me add this I love all music like THE BAND ASKED ANYONE TODAY THEY SAY WITCH ONE LOL RIGHT BOB DYLAN JANIS JOPLIN JIM MORRISON OF THE DOORS JIMMY H NEAL YOUNG C.S N.Y.VAN MORRISON DOBIE GRAY ALLMAM B BEFORE GREG BECAME A RAT MARSHALL T. JIM C. GORDON L.EAGLES I CAN GO ON AND ON but you know what I saying all music all the time I will say this but not putting it down rap music make me mad as in violent and I don't know why it's like drinking whiskey to me but I will not put it down because there people who love it like we love SKYNYRD and the names I mentioned you asked young people who they are it's a lost cause I'm 56 years young I grew up listen to the music that I have no doubt about it best was every made and every will be but please don't put music down somewhere in your life you will be able to relate music to every part of your life and for me music is a lot of my life and I bet a lot of you guys know and feel the same way that I do about the music these guys gave us to pass on to our children I listening to classic rock and country with my son and he 8 years old and he noise to words better than me and you guys can count on a bunch of my brain cells might have been burned out on the great time in the history of our country 67 summer of love you guys remember v name well we're at war now where all the hippie and all of the other I haven't seen any kinds of protesters have you it's because no one cares as much as it's hurting me to say that but where all the beautiful people at today I just bummer out not bum out but got really sad saying this God bless you every one of you guys I'm going to d bed now I really got down write this have a great one later
Thank you. But when I carry a gun I fear little. Better to have a gun and not need it than to need a gun and not have it. Maybe I'll see you at the range someday. Cheers!
and just where would those pics be?? cant recall ever seeing those.i did see one with him in his backyard with a rifle..i dont really understand it but they say handguns are diffrent than rifles.go figure
That was Johnny, not Ronnie. Get your facts straight.
Hand full of bullets. Gimmie Back 😅
Great song,but if your in a situation that requires self protection,better to have it and not use it,than not have it.Makes us all equal.They will try to make us unequal from what the crooks have .Be smart with your fire arms,if you have them keep them away from your kids.
Yeah, If guns kill then matches start fires. Anyone with matches scare me. They might grab some wood. Start a fire and brew some coffee. Dangerous people they are...
There's a big difference between lynyrd skynyrd and the tribute band that came along in 87... Too many think there one and the same.... Artimus pyle said it best.. there is no lynyrd skynyrd without Ronnie VanZant.. and it pisses me off when ppl take stage dressed up like my dead friends....
A.pyle....
I don't get what he means about 2 bullets?
@ djKally
Bullets in a gun and bullets as in bullet points in the music charts, Gimme Me Back My Bullets was referring to the charts. He wanted those bullet points to keep rising on the charts.
He did own a gun at one time.