Watch Blackberry Smoke Pay Tribute to Gary Rossington With the Guitar Used to Record Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird”
via Blackberry Smoke / YouTube
Honoring a Southern Rock Legend
In November last year, Southern rock band Blackberry Smoke performed a heartfelt tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington, who passed away earlier that year. The tribute took place at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre in Florida and carried a deep emotional weight for both the band and the audience.
Before the show, Rossington’s family presented Charlie Starr, Blackberry Smoke’s frontman, with Rossington’s legendary 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG — the same guitar used to record Skynyrd’s timeless hit Free Bird in 1973. The instrument, made during the brief period when SGs still carried the Les Paul name, held immense sentimental and historical value.
A Special Performance with a Sacred Song
“We’ve played tons of Skynyrd songs but left Free Bird alone…’cause it feels kinda sacred,” Starr told Guitar World. “That’s Skynyrd’s song, y’know? It doesn’t feel right to tread upon it. You don’t mess around with it. That’s just my opinion, and it was our opinion as a band.”
However, performing with Rossington’s own guitar changed everything. “But with that guitar, I thought, well, we have to,” Starr continued. “One of my friends actually said, ‘You can’t get up there and play another song on that guitar and leave Free Bird out of it.’ And I said, ‘You’re right.’ Metaphorically, it felt appropriate to me. It felt kind of special to do.”
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A Night to Remember
That night, Blackberry Smoke performed Free Bird as part of a two-song medley, opening with the Skynyrd classic before blending into Tuesday’s Gone. The performance was filmed and later released as professional footage, allowing fans everywhere to share in the powerful moment.
“A night we’ll never forget,” the band said in a statement. “Truly an honour and a Best Of moment getting to share the stage with Gary Rossington’s 1961 Gibson Les Paul/SG last year in St. Augustine. As requested, our full performance honouring Mr. Rossington is available on our YouTube channel. Big love and thanks to the Rossington family and Chicago Music Exchange for making this special moment possible.”
Upcoming Shows
Blackberry Smoke are continuing their Rattle, Ramble and Roll tour across the United States, performing in cities including New Haven, Nashville, and Fort Lauderdale, with a special New Year’s Eve show in Athens, Georgia.
Meanwhile, Charlie Starr will kick off his solo tour in January 2026, with performances planned in Asheville, Atlanta, Macon, Knoxville, and other cities across the South.
Both tours promise more chances for fans to see Starr and Blackberry Smoke carry on the Southern rock spirit that legends like Gary Rossington helped create.
