Lynyrd Skynyrd is an influential American rock band that formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. Originally called My Backyard, the group found its signature sound and name by 1968. Known for iconic songs like Sweet Home Alabama and Free Bird, they helped define the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. The band’s career was tragically interrupted in 1977 by a plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backing vocalist Cassie Gaines. Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie’s brother, as lead vocalist. They continued to tour and record with changing lineups over the years. In 2006, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Rolling Stone ranks them among the greatest artists of all time. As of 2023, the band has sold over 28 million records in the United States and remains recognized as a defining force in Southern rock music.