Fans Outraged After Lynyrd Skynyrd Denounces Confederate Flag
Kyle Rogers, Examiner, September 19, 2012
Lynyrd Skynyrd, 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 politically 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.
The band released a new studio album just days ago ironically titled “Last of A Dying Breed.” The band is preparing to go on tour to support their new album. However, there is a growing outrage among fans. Many say they have attended Lynyrd Skynyrd concerts for decades, but will never buy a ticket again. Twitter and Facebook have exploded with condemnation. Many are now calling the band a “fake,” who just own the right’s to the original band’s name.
A nationwide tour begins September 21st. Merchandise featuring the Confederate flag appears to have been scrubbed from the band’s website.
Three of the original members died in a plane crash in 1977. The plane was flying from Greenville, SC to Baton Rouge, Louisiana and crashed into the woods in Mississippi. Two female backup singers, their tour manager, and both pilots also died.
Editor’s Note: The following if from a 2003 Lynyrd Skynyrd concert in Nashville:
