My Favorite You Tube Live Performances: #1 "Freebird" Lynyrd Skynyrd

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1977 Oakland Coliseum Stop groaning Four Walls. This isn’t the radio cut that I don’t want to hear again. Once you’ve heard Skynyrd live, studio versions don’t measure up. There are a few vintage “Freebird” clips and the Oakland performance stands head and shoulders as the one blowing you away. This is the original real Skynyrd demonstrating why they are the undisputed kings of southern rock. The familiar structure is there beginning with the birdcall. Ronnie Van Zandt’s melancholy voice slowly builds and builds like tension in a Hollywood movie until reaching that moment of take off. Even though you know what’s coming, the kaboom of Skynyrd’s trademark three lead guitar attack (here, one lead with the other two in support tandem) is startling. The crowd goes wild. Soaring endless wailing guitars that simply don’t want to end. Crescendo after crescendo. Check out the bassist. The dude looks like an escapee from a biker bar. If you wondered why “Freebird” has endured as a classic rock anthem for over half a century, this is why.