Simon Rushworth
Southern rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd have announced a clutch of UK dates this November to follow the release of their brand new album Last Of A Dyin’ Breed.
The band sold out three shows in June at London’s Hammersmith Apollo, the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow and Manchester Apollo, and return to play more UK gigs at the following venues:
Sun 11th Nov – GATESHEAD Sage
Mon 12th Nov – LONDON O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Wed 14th Nov – NORWICH UEA
Tickets go on sale at 9am Friday 20th July, priced £38.50 adv and £45 regionally, and London £40 adv and £45, and will be available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.livenation.co.uk.
The band’s new album, Last Of A Dyin’ Breed, is released digitally and via a Classic Rock Fanpack edition on August 20. Four weeks later, on September 17, the Roadrunner Records CD and special edition hit the racks. The album’s title track is already picking up airplay and is available now as a digital single via Play.com and iTunes.
Last Of A Dyin’ Breed is the band’s first studio album since God & Guns (2009) and reunites the band with God & Guns’ producer, Bob Marlette. “It was great to get back in the studio with Bob for this new album,” said guitarist Gary Rossington. “We kind of went back old school this time. All of us playing together in the studio as a band, tracking songs and creating licks. We had a lot of fun and the music really flowed for us, so that’s when you know you are on to something good. We can’t wait to let the fans hear these songs and play ‘em live.”
Led by core members Gary Rossington (guitar), Johnny Van Zant (vocals) and Rickey Medlocke (guitar), along with longtime drummer Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd have recorded an album that continues the tremendous legacy that began over 35 years ago in Jacksonville, Florida, a legacy that was halted for a decade after the 1977 plane crash that killed three band members, including Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines. Since then, the band tragically lost Billy Powell, Ean Evans, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson and Huey Thomasson – yet they rock on.
Joining Lynyrd Skynyrd is bass player Johnny Colt, an original member of The Black Crowes. When asked about receiving a phone call from Rickey Medlocke on behalf of Lynyrd Skynyrd to join the band, Johnny said: “What else do you say to Medlocke, Rossington and Van Zant? We’re talking southern rock royalty. We’re talking Lynyrd Skynyrd. The only thing out of my mouth was when and where!”
With a catalogue of more than 60 albums, sales in excess of 30 million worldwide and their beloved classic American rock anthem Sweet Home Alabama boasting two million-plus ringtone downloads, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-rs Lynyrd Skynyrd remain an American cultural icon that appeals to all generations.