Johnny Van Zant gives the green light to new Lynyrd Skynyrd music.
During a recent chat with Dr. Music, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke confirmed that he and Van Zant have been talking about recording new songs. In fact, they have ‘a ton of material’ in hand. He explained:
“Johnny and I have been talking. Well, this started before Gary’s [Rossington] passing. We started talking about doing a new record, because we’ve got all these songs that we wrote together or we co-wrote with other people. Oh my God, we’ve got a ton of material. And we said, ‘Look, let’s get this material and let’s put it together and let’s do another record.’ And you know what? Johnny and I have been talking about it. And I think you might see it materialize at some point, because I would like to see some of these tunes that Gary was a part of [getting released]. I mean, we’ve got tapes, man — we’ve got tapes of where we’re sitting and we’re talking and laughing and joking around, and you hear Gary talking. It’s great.”
If a new Lynyrd Skynyrd album comes together, it would mark their first release since 2012’s ‘Last Of A Dyin’ Breed.’
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Next Album Is In Another Genre
Well, you might be excited about the new record, but don’t keep your hopes up if you are a rock fan.
Van Zant earlier confirmed that they were working on an album, but it wasn’t a rock album. What is it? He wrote on his social media accounts:
“Happy Sunday! I am back in Nashville today with my brother, Donnie. We are doing a quick trip to record for our new gospel album! This has been 3 years in the making and I am very excited to get it out to you all and to hear your feedback. I will make sure to keep everyone updated, but we are having a blast in the meantime!”
How Long Until They Retire?
After four members of Skynyrd lost their lives in a plane crash in October 1977, Rossington brought Van Zant on board to fill his brother’s shoes a decade later.
When asked about how long more he thinks the band can keep going, Medlocke revealed that there was ‘one more guy’ in the band and that if other bands can do it, they can too:
“I will put this out there. There’s one more guy — he’s such a hero to me. And I know you’re gonna laugh about this, but Gary, Johnny and I figured, people used to ask us, ‘How long are you guys gonna take this?’ And I always said, ‘Hey, look. If The Rolling Stones can do it, we can do it.’ And I’m telling you — come on, Keith [Richards]. If you can do it, I know I can do it. Come on, Keith. Join us in Lynyrd Skynyrd and play on stage with us, because there’s another one I’d love to see climb up there with us.”
You can watch the recent interview below.