The iconic Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is bringing its “One More For the Fans” tour to the AVA at Casino del Sol on Saturday, Sept. 19.
Before you jump to conclusions about the name — no, this is not the band’s farewell tour.
Far from it, says guitarist and Skynyrd songwriter Rickey Medlocke.
“I think that a lot of the classic bands that are out nowadays, a lot of them think about it because nothing lasts forever,” Medlocke said during a phone call from home in Florida in mid-August. “We’ve been around for what seems like forever — 46 years. But right now that is not in our vocabulary, not in our plans. Another new record, another new tour. Just keep the wheels rolling.”
“One More For the Fans” is the name of the band’s months-old album, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of its 1976 live album “One More From the Road.” “Fans,” like its predecessor, also was recorded live at the Fox Theater in Atlanta. It featured guest artists including Alabama, Aaron Lewis, Randy Houser, Cheap Trick, John Hiatt, Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, Jamie Johnson, Peter Frampton, Trace Adkins, Gregg Allman, Charlie Daniels and Donnie Van Zant, brother of Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant.
“They played their favorite Lynyrd Skynyrd songs, and they released a CD/DVD of the concert,” said Medlocke, 65, who also was former frontman for Blackfoot.
Here are three things Medlocke said that hint at what you can expect from Lynyrd Skynyrd Saturday night:
The greatest hits live: “When you see the show, you’ll see a lot of the classic tunes. Sometimes we throw in a new song or two from records we put out in the last five or six years. It’s a well-rounded show. We have enough songs to choose from and we change it up from year to year.”
Three songs they never skip: “Without a doubt ‘Simple Man,’ ‘(Sweet Home) Alabama’ and ‘Freebird’. That’s what people I think wait to hear, especially ‘Alabama’ and ‘Freebird.’ No way you’d get away without playing those songs.”
Keeping it fresh night after night: “I think they are such great songs that every night, in a small sort of way that maybe the audience doesn’t know it, but there will be a change-up and (the songs) take on a different character in a way every night. That in itself keeps it fresh.”
