Songs are 'the essence' of Skynyrd

Though many of the original faces that made up Lynyrd Skynyrd have joined the dearly departed, guitarist Rickey Medlock said the sound and spirit remain the same.

Mr. Medlock, who briefly joined the newly formed Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970 as a drummer and rejoined in 1997 as a guitarist, said the secret of Skynyrd has never been the musicians playing the songs, but rather the songs themselves. Playing with the band, he explained, is about the traditions and legacy of Skynyrd.

"That's the basic essence of Lynyrd Skynyrd," he said in a recent telephone interview. "That's what it is about, the music. That's the thing that will be here long after we're gone. No person in this band is bigger than the music."

Mr. Medlock was quick to note that this ethos guided the band long before the 1977 plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines.

"It was rumored that Ronnie was going to become the writer, producer and manager for the band," he said. "He was going to make Johnny (Van Zant, the band's current lead singer) the singer."

Mr. Medlock said that in the 12 years he has played guitar with Skynyrd, the band has lost four members, including keyboardist Billy Powell, who died earlier this year. He said part of the reason the band continues to write, record and tour is to pay tribute to those fallen friends.

"People still want to see this band," he said. "They want to be a part of this. The want to enjoy the music and enjoy the memory of the guys that helped create the music. The want to be a part of it."

Though a Skynyrd show will always revolve around hits such as Free Bird, Sweet Home Alabama and Gimme Three Steps , Mr. Medlock said the band feels it is important to continue writing and recording, and to continue growing. The band recently released God & Guns , the first Skynyrd studio album since 2003's Vicious Cycle. Mr. Medlock said the band spent considerable time crafting the release because Lynyrd Skynyrd is always aware of the life a song can take on.

"The deal is, what you do today, you have to live behind," he said. "It's there forever. You are going to be judged by that. You need to take the time and do it right."

God & Guns won't be the last Lynyrd Skynyrd record, either. Mr. Medlock said that as long as fans latch on to the idea of Skynyrd, the band, regardless of its membership, will continue to function and flourish.

"For us to sit on our laurels and just play Free Bird and Alabama, well, that just isn't right," he said. "Bands create music and that's where our future lies -- making new music."

Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.