ION INDIE MAGAZINE October 2016, Volume 29 | Page 24

Story and Photography by Timothy Schumann
There is nothing more exciting that being approved to cover a show that you are a fan of both acts--and that was the case here
in New Orleans on August 5, 2016, when PETER FRAMPTON and LYNYRD SKYNYRD came to CHAMPIONS SQUARE. Now, truth
be told, I had seen both acts in ’77. As a matter of fact, I saw everybody in ’77--bands such as PINK FLOYD, THE WHO, THE
ROLLING STONES, and let’s not forget…LED ZEPPELIN.
I saw Peter Frampton in the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando with RICK DERRINGER, J GEILS and KANSAS. He was riding high due
to “Frampton Comes Alive”, which had come out in the previous year (1976). Peter has been playing the guitar since his early
teens, and of course, formed HUMBLE PIE with STEVE MARRIOTT back in ‘69. “Frampton Comes Alive” went Platinum six
times--I am not sure if any other double live album has ever toped that (I am leaning towards, “No”)--not to mention the 18
albums in 44 years that he has to his credit.
Peter hit the stage at 7:30, and he is the master at taking control of the stage…what a showman! Timeless classic hits such
as “Show Me The Way”, “Baby, I Love Your Way”, and of course, “Do You Feel Like We Do”, took everybody down memory
lane…especially myself.He played for over an hour and half with two encores--which tells me, even as the opener, he played
a full set.
Next up is a band that has been around since ’64 (then called MY BACKYARD), straight outta Jacksonville, Florida. Since then,
they boast 28 million records sold, with 14 albums in 39 years. I saw Lynyrd Skynyrd in October of ‘77 in St. Petersburg,
Florida, at the BAYFRONT CENTER. As fate would have it, it would be their third to the last show before the plane crash--which
took the lives of CASSIE GAINES, STEVE GAINES (brother/sister) and RONNIE VAN ZANT. I also saw the ROSSINGTON COLLINS
BAND with DALE KRANTZ on vocals, who at some point married GARY ROSSINGTON. But she became Gary's “Yoko Ono” and
this was a huge problem for ALLEN COLLINS, which ultimately lead to the demise of the band. This was during the ten years
before Lynyrd Skynyrd was reformed in ’87, when JOHNNY VAN ZANT stepped in replacing his older brother RONNIE VAN ZANT
as the front man.
RICKEY MEDLOCKE is in this line up and has been for years--going as far back as ‘71/’72. But I remember him from
BLACKFOOT, when I saw him opening for someone in Lakeland back in the 70’s. With that said, he is considered a founding
member, but the only original member of the lineup I saw in St. Pete was Gary Rossington.
The boys started right on time at 9:45. To be honest, it’s a Lynyrd Skynyrd crowd. It’s also a 50-ish audience—which was perfect
for me since I am 59. This is Southern Rock at is finest--with hits like “Saturday Night Special”, “What’s Your Name/I Know A
Little”, “You Got That Right”, and of course…“Free Bird”. Both these bands took me back to a place and time when life was
good. Needless to say, it was a very special night for me.
The only advice I can give you is…if you got tickets to the show, pack a lunch, because you're in for a long trip down memory
lane. Enjoy the ride!