Ronnie Van Zant Sets The Record Straight With Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Scorching “I Ain’t The One”

Old Grey Whistle Test, 1975

Never one to mince words, late Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Ronnie Van Zant laid all of his cards out on the table for “I Ain’t The One,” the opening track to 1973’s smash hit (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd). A cold killer of an album opener, “I Ain’t The One” clocks in at just under 4 minutes and tells the story of a man determined to leave a woman after finding out that she’s “overdue” and planning a shotgun wedding – even though he isn’t the child’s father! We don’t know if this is yet another in some of the strange things that happened to Ronnie while growing up in Jacksonville but like everything he wrote, it makes for a great story and an even better song.

In 1975, the audience at Britain’s hit late night tv show the Old Grey Whistle Test got to witness this funny and brutally honest side of Ronnie when Lynyrd Skynyrd performed “I Ain’t The One” live and, judging by the burst of applause when the last note rang out, they loved it just as much as we do!

Fun Fact: In 2003, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) was ranked number 403 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and has sold an estimated 2 million units internationally.

With a twin guitar attack from Gary Rossington and Allen Collins – who, by the way, delivers a solo right around 1:35 that can only be described as absolutely scorching – “I Ain’t The One” proves to be one of the most standout performances to come across the Old Grey Whistle Test’s stage; it’s equal parts southern rock and something uniquely Lynyrd Skynyrd, oozing attitude, a little bit of humor, and a whole lot of talent.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd & Second Helping Live’ is available now on DVD, Blu-ray and digital formats – it’s the perfect gift for the Lynyrd Skynyrd fan in your life. Buy it here on Amazon!