Lynyrd Skynyrd Return To The Stage In 1987 With High Energy “Workin’ For MCA”

Jacksonville’s Sons Rise Again

After ten long years, the South rose again when in the fall of 1987 veteran rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd made their triumphant return to the stage with the highly anticipated Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour. Created and undertaken in honor of bandmates Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines and Steve Gaines, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour was a wildly successful romp through 71 cities over the course of a year and signaled the official return of Jacksonville’s favorite sons, complete with new lead singer – and younger brother to Ronnie – Johnny Van Zant at the helm.

With a setlist that consisted of Lynyrd Skynyrd standards like “Free Bird,” “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Simple Man,” the band liked to kick things off with crowd favorite “Workin’ For MCA.” A cold killer of an opener with bassist Leon Wilkeson and drummer Artimus Pyle’s two pronged attack and the roller coaster power chords of guitarists Ed King, Gary Rossington and Randall Hall, “Workin’ For MCA” as performed on the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour was a crash course in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s colorful history, reintroducing them to tried and true fans and reminding the music industry that they were still as in control as ever.

Fun Fact: Lacy Van Zant introduced the band every night of the tour, proudly sporting a t-shirt bearing pictures of his sons Ronnie, Johnny, and .38 Special’s Donnie and the words, “My Three Sons”.

It doesn’t matter that they opened up with “Workin’ For MCA” every night for 71 cities – Lynyrd Skynyrd maintained the same level of excitement every night, running out onto the stage and ready to rock as soon as that big rebel flag came down behind them. Suddenly, this beloved Second Helping track isn’t just a crowd favorite anymore; it’s a rallying cry, a celebration of their history and more importantly, the incredibly bright future Lynyrd Skynyrd had just over the horizon.

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!