Soar High With Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Unforgettable 1975 “Freebird” Performance

The Old Grey Whistle Test, 1975

Featured on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, ‘Freebird’ is the power ballad to end all power ballads. It gets deep down in your soul, reaffirming everything you’ve ever known and for rock fans, ‘Freebird’ is the security blanket we grew up with – a constant force despite all of the changes we may go through, and we love it! The audience on Britain’s hit music show The Old Grey Whistle Test was treated to our favorite brand of southern comfort when in 1975, Lynyrd Skynyrd took the stage for a stirring rendition of ‘Freebird,’ complete with the most phenomenal guitar solo ever executed by the late, great Allen Collins.  Judging by their furious applause when the final note rang out, they loved it just as much as we do!

Running at nearly 13 minutes long, ‘Freebird’ closed out the band’s wildly successful 7-song set that night and a barefoot and happy Ronnie Van Zant’s stage presence was eclipsed only by a one in a million vocal performance – equal parts grace and grit, it was the mark of one of the greatest rock frontmen to ever live.

Fun Fact: The solo for ‘Freebird’ was originally crafted to give Ronnie Van Zant a break in between sets.

The Old Grey Whistle Test may have been 40 years ago, but it still packs a punch to this day – I mean, it’s impossible to not get the chills when the opening strains of ‘Freebird’ hit your ears. Like any great artist, Lynyrd Skynyrd have grown and evolved over the course of their 51 year legacy; but much like our beloved ‘Freebird,’ they’re a constant force in our lives whose messages will always hold true!

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!

+ Freebird lyrics +

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me
For I must be travelin’ on now
There’s too many places I got to see

If I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn’t be the same
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change
Lord knows, I can’t change

Bye and bye baby, it’s been sweet love, yeah yeah
Though this feelin’ I can’t change
Please don’t take it so badly
‘Cause Lord knows, I’m to blame

And if I stay here with you girl
Things just couldn’t even be the same
‘Cause I’m as free as a bird now
And this bird you cannot change
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
And the bird you cannot change
And this bird you cannot change

Lord knows, I can’t change
Lord help me, I can’t change
Lord I can’t change
Won’t you fly high free bird yeah