A closer look at Lynyrd Skynyrd, the iconic Southern rock band coming to the MS Coast

It’s one of the most famous countdowns in rock and roll. The “1,2,3,4” leads into the iconic riff that anchors the Lynyrd Skynyrd hit “Sweet Home Alabama.” The song has been streamed over 1.2 billion times, is the name of a famous Reese Witherspoon movie, and is played at every Alabama Crimson Tide football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

But Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lead vocalist, Johnny Van Zant, never lets the nostalgia get in the way of continuing the band’s mission. Van Zant and the rest of Lynyrd Skynyrd will join ZZ Top Thursday at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum for The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.com.

“Gary (Rossington) used to joke that one day when we get old, we’re going to sit on the front porch and have a sip of whiskey and talk about the good old days and all we’ve accomplished,” said Van Zant. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen, and I don’t want to be reminiscing by myself.”

Guitarist Rossington, a founding member of the Jacksonville, Florida-based Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away in March 2023, leaving the band to make a difficult decision: call it a day after more than 50 years or keep moving forward.

“Gary was the last remaining founding member,” Van Zant said. “When he died, we had a mountain in front of us. But the fans wanted to see us, and they loved us, and we loved them. The fans allowed us to keep on going after Gary died. They showed us so much love and support. They kept showing up, and so did we. People love to hear these Skynyrd songs live, and we love to play them.”

If the band continues for another three years, Van Zant will have 40 years as the band’s lead singer. 2027 would also mark the 50th anniversary of the death of the band’s original vocalist, Van Zant’s brother Ronnie. Ronnie Van Zant was killed in an airplane crash along with Stec and Cassie Gaines on Oct. 20, 1977. The crash happened on a flight out of Greenville, S.C., headed to Baton Rouge. The plane went down in Gillsburg, a community about two hours northwest of the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

“It seems like the years have passed in seconds,” he said. “I never asked for the job, and I never wanted the job. If I had my way, that plane crash would never happen, and the original guys would still be here. I’ve tried to do it justice and carry on the legacy. I’m not going to say it’s all been easy and been a bed of roses, but the older I get, the more I appreciate it. It just amazes me. If God can move mountains, Lynyrd Skynyrd has to climb them.”

When he’s not on the road, Van Zant works on a gospel album with his brother, Donnie, the founding member of 38 Special.

“We’ve been writing some songs and recording, and it’s something we wanted to do,” he said. “People always ask when Skynyrd is going to call it quits. We were on our farewell tour when COVID hit, but after we were forced off the road for so long, we couldn’t wait to get back out and play some shows. God will let us know when it’s time to give it up.”

If You Go

What: Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top: The Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour, with Black Stone Cherry

When: 7 p.m., April 4

Where: Mississippi Coast Coliseum

Parking:$10

Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster.com