Freebirds [Paperback]

Marley Brant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2002

Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story is the first narrative biography to examine the roots, evolution, and eventual emergence of one of the most captivating bands in the history of rock and roll.

Though plagued by devastating personal tragedy, numerous personnel changes brought on by the ravages of working on the road, and the untimely deaths of some of its founding members, Lynyrd Skynyrd has continued to record, tour, and produce bestselling albums. Interwoven within this fascinating portrait are in-depth biographies, including the inside stories of the intricate interband relationships; the truth behind the charges of vehicular manslaughter, child molestation, and broken contracts; the origins of their songs; and much, much more.

The result is a mesmerizing look at how this southern rock legend endured and prevailed despite a history laden with professional disadvantages, personal loss, and the ego-fueled transition to international stardom. Recently nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrates stoic independence and bar-hopping camaraderie. The band's music infiltrates the mind with images of Southern landscapes, hard-driving women, and the importance of home and family.

This fascinating bio features one-on-one interviews with music legends Charlie Daniels, Warren Haynes, and Allen Woody; producer Al Kooper; Johnny Van Zant, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Ed King, Artimus Pyle, Rickey Medlocke, Hughie Thomasson, the widows of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, and band members, family members, and record company executives. Also featured are dozens of never-before-published photographs, as well as a complete discography and bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The core of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the most important southern rock band after the Allman Brothers, perished in an airplane crash in 1977. The survivors persevered and, though long since written off by rock critics, still tour. Heck, they released a new album in 2000. Brant's well-researched yet folksy group biography is essential reading for those who would understand the spirit of rock and roll. Like the Allmans, Skynyrd broke into the rock scene in the early '70s just as its giants of the day descended into the cocaine-flecked doldrums. Like the punk rockers, the southern bands restored the music's energy and revived its fuck-you attitude; it never gets much more fuck-you than early Skynyrd. Famous for partying, brawling, and playing anyway, Skynyrd cut a wide swath. Brant names the names and tells the tales in a conversational, even chummy prose befitting a band that enjoys a community of fans and friends not unlike the Grateful Dead's zany Deadheads. Long overdue, this is the most complete chronicle of Skynyrd and its ambience to date. Mike Tribby
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Marley Brant is the author of four previous books, including Southern Rockers. She has been in the entertainment industry for 24 years as a biographical writer, music producer, and artist development executive. She resides near Atlanta, Georgia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Billboard Books (January 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823083217
• ISBN-13: 978-0823083213
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,223,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marley Brant has been employed in the entertainment industry as a biographical writer, publicist, music and television producer and artist development executive. Marley's books have been used as the primary research resource for programs aired by A&E, VH1, CMT, TBS, Biography and The History Channel. Her work has been featured in People Magazine, the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, Publisher's Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist and many other popular publications.

Marley's entertainment affiliations are extensive and she has worked with a wide variety of music artists, actors, and directors as well as numerous television, radio and film productions. Marley co-produced the album "Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels, Live 1973" and served as Co-Creator, Associate Producer and Historical Consultant on the TBS production "Outlaws, Rebels & Rogues"("The Untold West").

Marley is a member of the Recording Academy and writes biography and fiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SOLID Platinum and Gold, February 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Freebirds (Paperback)

In a nutshell, I loved it!

If you're reading this review, I will proceed with the assumption that you are familiar with (1) the incomparable power of a Skynyrd song gripping your soul and not letting go or (2) the enjoyment of reading a truly well researched, well written contemporary biography.

There have been stories of Skynyrd's humble beginnings, rock & roll antics, head-strong personalities and individual excesses since Day One. CREEM and Rolling Stone kept watch. Cameron Crowe offered his tip-of-the-hat to them in "Almost Famous." But the real story? The real people? Finally, it's here. And it's every bit as compelling as Skynyrd's timeless compositions.

FREEBIRDS is a fascinating book about the roots and evolution of Lynyrd Skynyrd from its beginning through present day. It was never as simple as blue collar rough neighborhoods and kids with a dream. The book reveals a highly kinetic mix of intelligent, complicated individuals and their talents, friendships, differences and colliding fates. Not to say there wasn't the private or very public fight here or there... The actual events are discussed by the people who were there. Brant maintains an even hand in presenting different sides of the same story. Contradicting recollections of events (whether through past "impairments" or 20-20 hindsight) are examined and placed before the reader for consideration.

The information in the book far exceeds anything published before (or that probably ever will be) by virtue of the sheer depth and number of events discovered, disclosed, investigated, tales told and recollections shared. It is evident Author/Biographer Brant had the professional credibility and respect to write FREEBIRDS. It was a book that needed to be written and the author has given the reader both solid fact-finding and spellbinding story telling blended together artfully in top notch writing.

FREEBIRDS "reads" very well -- it's comfortable and engaging, evenly paced and balanced in it's approach. I was very drawn in by it. As the old saying goes, "It's a real page turner!"

To reiterate: I loved it!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freebirds lets the reader decide, February 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Freebirds (Paperback)

Brant lets the reader decide in this biography of Lynyrd Skynyrd. As you would expect with the money and ego involved, the many characters involved with Skynyrd over the last 25 years have a different perspective on events. They are not hesitant to give their versions. The author has not taken sides, nor tried to interpret, the sometimes destructive relationships that were defined by casual sex, drug addiction, alcoholism, and money. Instead she lets the band tell the story. The reader is left to his own conclusions. In my opinion, these are talented, but not very nice people. This is a fan's book, and there is much to enjoy about the band's story. The author has obviously talked to many people, and the story is very interesting. The message I get from the book is that Rock and Roll, for all it's glamour, is a tough business, for tough people. Skynyrd has suceeded while most have failed. These guys have a lot to offer. Read this book, and you will understand them much better.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Like You Know Them, February 13, 2002

By 

William Olmstead "Bluesman" (North Hollywood, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freebirds (Paperback)

A great personal account. I've been a L.S. fan for all their various incarnations and I don't think I am missing any of their albums but his book opened my eyes to a lot of facts I didn't know. I didn't know that Ed King was in the Strawberry Alarm Clock and I saw them in person back when he was. This is one of many facts in this book. It's almost like a day by day account of their career and you really get an insight into the personal habits of each member. I've read Ms. Brant's other books but this is the best (so far).