Over the years many bands have dedicated their records to members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd
band who so tragically lost their lives. This page will attempt to let you know which records were
so dedicated. The work behind this page was done by our good friend
Bruce Henningsgaard . A lot of time and effort went into this research.
If you know of any other dedications, please let us know about them.
Atlanta Rhythm Section - Champagne Jam 1978 - This album contains the song
Large Time, which includes a reference to playing with Skynyrd.
The dedications on the back of the album are as follows:
"To the survivors: Allen, Gary, Leon, Billy, Artimus..."
"In loving memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines
& Dean Kilpatrick"
Van Zant (Donnie and Johnny) - Brother To Brother - 1998
The cd
includes the following dedication: "Ronnie, your star still shines on
everynight we take the stage. You're still the man. Brother, we hope
we've made you proud. Love, Donnie and Johnny." The cd also contains
the song Right Side Up, which includes the line "It took me back to that
October" and the title song, which, after reading the words makes you
think not just about Donnie and Johnny, but of Ronnie also.
Charlie Daniels Band - Million Mile Reflections 1978 - This album contains
the song Reflections, which is about Charlies friendship with Ronnie (in
addition to references to Elvis and Janis Joplin).
Reflections
It was October in St. Louis town,
When we heard that the "Free Bird" had fell to the ground;
And we all said a prayer before we went down
To play.
And Ronnie, my buddy, above all the rest,
I miss you the most and I loved you the best,
And now that you're gone I thank God I was blessed
Just to know you.
1978 Hat Band Music (BMI) words and music by Charlie Daniels, "Taz"
DiGregorio, Tom Crain, Fred Edwards, Charlie Hayward and James W. Marshall
On side 1 of the album,
scratched into the trailer area is the following: "Dedicated To Ronnie My
Buddy". On side 2 of the album, scratched into the trailer area is the
following: "Fly On Proud Bird, Free At Last - 10-22-78. C.D." In addition
to this is the poem on the back of the album:
Dedicated to our friend Ronnie Van Zant
A brief candle both ends burning
An endless mile a bus wheel turning
A friend to share the lonesome times
A handshake and a sip of wine
So say it loud and let it ring
That we're all part of everything
The Present, Future and the Past
Fly on proud bird, you're free at last
Journey - Infinity 1978 - The sleeve contains this dedication:
The members of Journey would like to express their deep sorrow
for the loss suffered by Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their music will live
on forever, and words cannot express our sadness for the loss of Cassie
Gaines, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick and Ronnie Van Zant.
Fly on Free Bird.
Molly Hatchet - Molly Hatchet 1978 - The back of this album contains the
following dedication: Dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant.
Molly Hatchet - Double Trouble Live 1985 - The liner notes on the insert
that are discussing the songs on the album contain the following dedication:
And, as a tribute to their friend, Ronnie Van Zandt, includes a stirring
version of the classic "Freebird". (That is how they spelled Van Zant on
the insert). The album contains a live version of Free Bird, which begins
with the following comment by Danny Joe Brown: Here's to you Ronnie,
you're gone, but your song remains.
The Outlaws - Bring It Back Alive 1978 - On the inside of the album is the
following dedication:
This album is for those people
who helped us, loved us, and with whom
we shared many great times together:
THE LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND AND CREW
You're with us everynight
and we love you forever.
The album contains a side long version of Green Grass And High Tides.
The following dedication is spoken on the album: "We'd like to take just
a minute here, we're gonna dedicate a song, and we've dedicated it
every night since we've been on this tour to some real good friends
of ours and I'm sure they're friends of yours, the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band".
Henry Paul Band - Grey Ghost 1979 - Although there is nothing
specifically mentioned on the album, the title song contains references.
Plus, the following quote from the title song is on the back of album:
"Grey Ghost"
"As the autumn wind whispers through the tall and lonely pines,
And the hour of fate is drawing close at hand,
A free bird falling from the sky
Brings a bitter end to another Southern man...
Grey Ghost"
The Rockets - Turn Up The Radio 1979 - This is the band that redid the
Fleetwood Mac song Oh Well. The back of the album contains the
following dedication: This album is dedicated with love and respect
to our good friends and brothers J.B. Fields, Ronnie Van Zant,
Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines.
.38 Special - Special Delivery 1978
"For the persona and spirit of Ronnie, Steve,Dean and Cassie".
.38 Special - Rockin' Into The Night 1979 - The following dedication
is on the back of the album: This one's for you Ronnie.
The Johnny Van Zant Band - No More Dirty Deals 1980 - On the back
of the album, the last song, Standing In The Darkness, includes
the following dedication listed after the title:
(This one's for you, Ronnie!!).
In addition, the sleeve contains the following dedication: This album is
dedicated to Lacy and Marion Van Zant and to the Street Survivors
you know who you are.
Johnny Van Zant - Brickyard Road - 1990 - The inner liner notes include the
following dedications: "Brickyard Road" is dedicated to Lynyrd Skynyrd and
their fans. In memory of J. C. Lundgren, Allen Collins and Carl Wilson.
This was sent in by Ari PK Korhonen
Doc Holliday from Macon, GA published their live album called
Song For The Outlaw in 1989 and the title song is dedicated to Ronnie.
Inside are printed the lyrics and part of the "Song For The Outlaw".
"He held the crowd in the palm of his hands
with a rebel flag and a guitar band.
He lived the life, the whiskey and the fights,
but he died too young when the big time had just begun.
Sing a song for the Outlaw.
Sing a song for the way he makes you feel.
Young and proud and strong, and Southern to the core.
There is no score to settle now,
since The Good Lord called him home."
For Ronnie Van Zant
Charlie Daniels Band - Interchords - 1979 - This album includes
conversations with Charlie Daniels about the Million Mile Reflections album,
the song Reflections and Charlie's friendship with Ronnie.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Japanese import of greatest hits - 1981 - This album
contains the following dedication: To Ronnie, Steve & Kathy.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Legend - 1987 - The album includes the dedication: This
album is a tribute to friends no longer with us but whose memory remains
alive with the music.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Southern By The Grace Of God, Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour
1987 - This album contains the following dedication: This album is
dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines, Dean
Kilpatrick, Kathy Collins and Chuck Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - 1991 - This album contains the following dedication: This
album is for the love of music...and for the love of those who are in Rock
n' Roll Heaven...and to carry on. Under Special Thanks: In memory of Allen
Collins & Maxine Hall.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd Collection - 1991 - This box
set contains the following dedication: This anthology is dedicated to the
memory of Allen Collins, Kathy Collins, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, Dean
Kilpatrick, and Ronnie Van Zant.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - The Last Rebel - 1993 - This album includes the following
dedication: Our music is always dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van-Zant,
Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, Cassie Gaines and Chuck
Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Endangered Species - 1994 - This album includes the
following dedication: Our music is always dedicated to the memory of Ronnie
Van Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Dean Kilpatrick, Cassie Gaines and
Chuck Flowers.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird The Movie, Selections From The Original
Soundtrack - 1996 - This album contains the following dedication: The
soundtrack is dedicated to our beloved friends who are no longer with us.
We love you and we miss you.
The Outlaws - The Best Of The Outlaws Green Grass And High Tides - 1996 -
The liner notes written by Henry Paul include the following dedication:
Surviving the whirlwind lifestyle was another challenge, which at times was
unforgiving. In the spirit of honoring those who gave their lives to the
music, we dedicate this album to Billy Jones, Frank O'Keefe, James Peter
Britton, Tommy Caldwell, Toy Caldwell, Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Allen
Collins, Cassie Gaines, Duane Allman and Berry Oakley.
Rossington Collins Band - This Is The Way - 1981 - This album contains the
song Tashauna, which has the opening line: He called himself a freebird,
they pulled him from the sky.
The Jimmie Van Zant Band - The Jimmie Van Zant Band 1996 - This album
contains the song titled Ronnie's Song and a special thanks to Lynyrd
Skynyrd for the use of Simple Man.
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Twenty - 1997 - This album contains the following thank
you: Johnny would like to thank... I know God's watching over you Ed.
The album also contains the following: This cd is called Twenty because
it's been 20 years since we lost our brothers and sister.
Ronnie, Steve, Allen, Cassie, Dean and Chuck.
The album cover has the current band members faces carved into a mountain
while there are 5 STARS up in the sky representing the Lost members.
.38 Special - Bone Against Steel - 1991 - This album contains the song
Rebel To Rebel, which is an obvious tribute from Donnie Van Zant (and
co-songwriters Jeff Carlisi and Jim Peterik) to his late brother Ronnie.
In addition, this album includes the song Jimmy Gillum, which includes
the line "Yea the One Percent were burnin' up the stage".
The Allman Brothers Band - Brothers of the Road - 1981 - The back of
this album includes the following dedication: "This album is titled in
honor of all the musicians who have make southern rock a traditional art
form in American music". The title song is a tribute to those musicians
who have made southern rock music what it is today, and is a tribute to
those who "... fell along the way". I like to think that songwriters
Dickey Betts and Jim Goff were referring to more than just Duane Allman
and Berry Oakley, but to all southern rock musicians that have been
lost.