In Jacksonville, Florida, a tough troublemaker with a passion of music had a dream of creating a band. Sixteen year old Ronnie VanZant approached Bob Burns, a neighbor with a drum kit, who suggested Gary Rossington, a school friend with a guitar, who in trun suggested Larry Junstrom, owner of bass guitar. Along with mutual friend Allen Collins they became known as the Noble Five.

The Noble Five practiced their music every free moment they had, modeling themselves after the British rock invasion with a hard, intense rock-filled sound with echo, feeback and distortion. At the same time, the boys were creating their own rock n' roll image which their gym coach, Leonard Skinner, did not approve of. Tired of the repeated suspension, they dropped out of high school at the age of sixteen. As a joke, they introduced themselves onstage one night as Leonard Skinner, mocking their gym teacher's name. The audience's enthusiastic approach gave the group their new and final name, Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The fivesome were broke, but resisted taking full-time jobs, in order to commit themselves to the band. After many complaints of the loudness of their msuic from the neighbors, they found a new place to practice, an isolated farm just outside of Jacksonville which became known as the 'Hell House' -- the place where Lynyrd Skynyrd's music was born.

Jacksonville soon became a hot-bed for the emerging Southern blues rock scene. In 1967, Lynyrd Skynyrd entered a battle of the bands and landed their first tour opening for the Strawberry Alarm Clock. By October 1970, they had played nearly a tousand gigs and had a manager, Alan Walden. Alan arranged for the to record demos which included 'Freebird'. Allen Collins provided the music to 'Freebird' and Ronnie came up with the lyrics. The initial recording fell flat until Allen made some changes in the tempo, thus was born a rock anthem. The first time they performed the tune for an audience, the response was overwhelming.

Jimmy Johnson of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios was so impressed with Ronnie's voice, he offered to record an album. In 1971 the band borrowed enough money and had ther first recording session. Johnson and his partner taught the band how to record. Walden shopped the demo tapes around but didn't find any takers. The group migrated to Atlanta to continue playing their music.

Al Kooper, a producer/performer, wanted to take advantage of the Southern rock explosion and formed, with the backing of MCA Records, the Sounds of the South label with four bands, one being Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their first album with almost 20 songs. The recording session was so electric it inspired them to write the song 'Sweet Home Alabama', one of their all time greatest hits.

Immediately follwoing the recording, Lynyrd Skynyrd played at a Sounds of the South press party and wrote a customized song for the MCA executives, 'Workin' For MCA'. The executives were so impressed they signed Lynyrd Skynyrd to open for The Who's fall tour in 1973. At the time, 'Freebird' was dominating the charts but other songs such as 'Gimme Three Steps', were not getting air time. The single, 'Sweet Home Alabama' was released to help revive the album. Shortly after the release of the single, both the song and album were certified gold.

Skynyrd toured continuously to support their albums. After touring Europe, drummer Artimus Pyle replaced founding member Bob Burns who left becasue of exhaustion. In 1975, they recorded their next album, Nuthin' Fancy. Due to the hectic tour schedule, guitarist Ed King packed his bags and left the band.

In 1976, the Honkettes, a female backup group consisting of Jo Jo Billingsley, Leslie Hawkins and Cassie gaines, became part of the Skynyrd entourage. In that year, the band also restored their trademark three guitar lineup with the addition of Steve Gaines, Cassie's brother. Just a few weeks after Steve joined the band, Skynyrd recorded its first live album, One More From The Road.

One More From The Road entered the Top Ten and soon went platinum. Their next album, Street Survivors, was released on October 17, 1977 and became the first Skynyrd album to be certified gold upon release. Thought to be their most popular album yet, the 'Tour Of The Survivors' was scheduled. Skynyrd was to headline at Madison Square Garden as part of this tour fulfilling a lfe long dream of Ronnie and the band's.

One October 20, 1977, Lynyrd Skynyrd's private 1947 Convair 240 turbo prop plane ran out of gas and crashed in a forest near McComb, Mississippi. Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, road manager Dean Kilpatrick and Ronnie VanZant were killed instantly. Ironically the accident brought the band more national publicity then ever before.

Today, Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to sell over one million albums a year. Their music lives on and with Freebird... The Movie a new generation will be able to experience one of the greatest bands of all times.