Fans outraged after Lynyrd Skynard denounces Confederate flag

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Fans outraged after Lynyrd Skynard denounces Confederate flag (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:05:48 AM EDT

Lynyrd Skynard, which only contains one original member, has been using giant Confederate flags as concert backdrops for 30 years. The band has certainly never cared about being politically correct. The most famous song by the band, Sweet Home Alabama, praises former Governor and presidential candidate George Wallace. Today, Wallace is vilified by the left for defending racial segregation.

The Confederate flag became closely associated with rock n roll in part because of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Other famous rock acts continued to use the Confederate flag in concert through the 80s and 90s such include Guns N Roses, Pantera, and Kid Rock. Even Sean Taro Ono Lennon has been seen wearing a Confederate flag t-shirt.

Now the band has suddenly decided to become political correct. Gary Rossington, the only original member, grovelled to CNN's Fredricka Whitfield. He says he doesn't want to offend anyone by using the Confederate flag. He said the band will no longer display the flag.

http://www.examiner.com/article/fans-outraged-after-lynyrd-skynard-denounces-confederate-flag?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Fuck em'. A Southern man don't need them around, anyhow.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:21:14 AM EDT

[#1]

meh. who cares. that band died with Ronnie

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:22:45 AM EDT

[#2]

Had no idea they were still around! Well, the name anyways.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:23:07 AM EDT

[#3]

washed-up has-beens

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:23:44 AM EDT

[#4]

This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:25:27 AM EDT

[#5]

I think I am going to go throw fake blood on him in protest.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:25:37 AM EDT

[#6]

well they just turned their backs on their core group of fans, that will really help sell out shows

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:26:35 AM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
I think I am going to go throw fake blood on him in protest.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:27:31 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
well they just turned their backs on their core group of fans, that will really help sell out shows

Well I am sure they will now be able to make that cross over into the R&B charts. Maybe open for Lil Wayne.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:27:33 AM EDT

[#9]

They're going to have problems playing in the South after caving like that. I won't be there anymore.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:29:21 AM EDT

[#10]

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:31:28 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Ill bet 99% of the fans dont even know what that song's about.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:31:31 AM EDT

[#12]

are they going to start dressing casually and ride honda goldwings now?

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:33:32 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:
well they just turned their backs on their core group of fans, that will really help sell out shows

Well I am sure they will now be able to make that cross over into the R&B charts. Maybe open for Lil Wayne.

maybe they will change one of their top hits too "sweet home Kenya"

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:35:15 AM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
meh. who cares. that band died with Ronnie

First post . . . etc

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:37:20 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Ill bet 99% of the fans dont even know what that song's about.

Is there some super secret meaning that is not patently obvious from the lyrics? It's about as subtle as Clapton's Cocaine.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:40:53 AM EDT

[#16]

Today's Lynard Skynard is just a cover band. The songs were recorded in the 70's.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:41:47 AM EDT

[#17]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Ill bet 99% of the fans dont even know what that song's about.

Is there some super secret meaning that is not patently obvious from the lyrics? It's about as subtle as Clapton's Cocaine.

No, it is obvious.
Ill still bet most dont get it, and think its a catchy tune about guns.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:44:50 AM EDT

[#18]

I this worse than Serena Williams doing the cripwalk? I am not sure how upset I should be.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:44:56 AM EDT

[#19]

I saw them open for the Allman Brothers Band in 2005, a big chunk of the crowd left when Skynrd exited the stage

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:47:52 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
are they going to start dressing casually and ride honda goldwings now?

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:49:10 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:
Today's Lynard Skynard is just a cover band. The songs were recorded in the 70's.

That really is the truth. This isn't the same band.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:49:36 AM EDT

[#22]

I'm shocked!

They still had fans

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:50:21 AM EDT

[#23]

Quoted:
meh. who cares. that band died with Ronnie

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:57:09 AM EDT

[#24]

I saw a rap video a few years ago using the rebel flag as their backdrop. I guess they were proud to be southern. Times change when Skynyrd drops it and rap groups start using.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:58:21 AM EDT

[#25]

It's not even the true Confederate flag. And, it won't change the music.

Lighten up, Francis.

Posted: 9/20/2012 3:59:16 AM EDT

[#26]

The most famous song by the band, Sweet Home Alabama, praises former Governor and presidential candidate George Wallace.

In 1975, Van Zant said: "The lyrics about the governor of Alabama were misunderstood. The general public didn't notice the words 'Boo! Boo! Boo!' after that particular line, and the media picked up only on the reference to the people loving the governor."[4] "The line 'We all did what we could do' is sort of ambiguous," Al Kooper notes. "'We tried to get Wallace out of there' is how I always thought of it."[4] Journalist Al Swenson argues that the song is more complex than it is sometimes given credit for, suggesting that it only looks like an endorsement of Wallace.[4] "Wallace and I have very little in common," Van Zant himself said, "I don't like what he says about colored people."[4]

Wiki citation - however, I thought this was common knowledge...

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:01:34 AM EDT

[#27]

not the same band....i own several of the old records, and none of the new ones

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:03:06 AM EDT

[#28]

It probably cost them millions in lawsuits over the years from various groups. They've been hammered about it for years. If this is the case, you can't blame them. Who needs to constantly defend yourself against bullshit.

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:06:55 AM EDT

[#29]

"Hey guys, I have a great idea... let's piss on our fan base to placate people who despise us."

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:07:16 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
It probably cost them millions in lawsuits over the years from various groups. They've been hammered about it for years. If this is the case, you can't blame them. Who needs to constantly defend yourself against bullshit.

Lawsuits for what?

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:29:34 AM EDT

[#31]

Heritage, not hate.

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:36:58 AM EDT

[#32]

Meh, both the band and flag are irrelevant at this point. It's a non issue.

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:38:13 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:
meh. who cares. that band died with Ronnie

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:38:26 AM EDT

[#34]

what a bunch of sellouts.

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:46:59 AM EDT

[#35]

If you've got nothing better to do, you might as well piss off your core demographic, right?

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:53:32 AM EDT

[#36]

Free Bird!!!!

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:56:06 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Ill bet 99% of the fans dont even know what that song's about.

Actually it's about a boating accident.

"To the bottom of the sea"

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:57:57 AM EDT

[#38]

If only bands knew when to fold up shop.

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:58:43 AM EDT

[#39]

1 original member...?
The band is dead and played out...

Posted: 9/20/2012 4:59:17 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:

Quoted:
This is offensive but "Saturday Night Special" is okay? Bunch of Southern Democrats

This is a bizarre statement since the confederate flag has been posted on everything with their name on it for decades

Ill bet 99% of the fans dont even know what that song's about.

Actually it's about a boating accident.

"To the bottom of the sea"

Touché

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:01:16 AM EDT

[#41]

Sean Hannity probably talked them into it so that they could do more political events with him.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:06:14 AM EDT

[#42]

I'd still see them. A prop means fuckall to me.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:08:00 AM EDT

[#43]

The best parts of that band are six feet under Jacksonville FL.

eta: correction

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:11:17 AM EDT

[#44]

The anti-gun band with a kiddie-toucher behind the drum kit? Hell with them.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:11:43 AM EDT

[#45]

Hmmm. I just saw them Saturday night opening for ZZ Top in St. Louis. Whichever of Ronnie Van Zant's brothers it is that sings for tehm now had a big old Confederate Flag tied on his mike stand for most of the show. He switched to the American Flag later on. It also seems like the Confederate flag showed up on the video backdrop from time to time.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:13:09 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:

It's not even the true Confederate flag. And, it won't change the music.

Lighten up, Francis.

Posted: 9/20/2012 5:13:35 AM EDT

[#47]

Quoted:
Meh, both the band and flag are irrelevant at this point. It's a non issue.

It was a nonissue, but LS made it one, if only for a small group of fans. The band gets some exposure to other generations, but the 40-60 something crowd was sold on these iconic non PC, autonomous wild rebel boys. They had that image while dodging racial controversy and actually uplifitng Southern Black culture. Obviously they have done an about face. While I don't care so much I have friends that grew up in that era that feel shammed....their "The Last Rebel" album seems mistitled as well as their image of the last 40yrs.