On November 13, 2022, the hallowed halls of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium echoed with the sound of Southern rock history. Lynyrd Skynyrd, the legendary band that helped define a genre, celebrated 50 years of music with a powerhouse performance—one that would become even more poignant as the final appearance of founding member Gary Rossington.
Rossington, the last original Skynyrd member, passed away on March 5, 2023, at the age of 71. Just months before, he had taken the stage at the Ryman for one last electrifying night, playing fan favorites like “That Smell” and the eternal anthem “Freebird.”
The concert, filmed for a PBS special, was later released in theaters and is now available for streaming. The program captures not just a milestone, but a movement. As it aptly states, “Few bands have had the impact on creating a lifestyle that Skynyrd has with their fusion of blues rock and Southern hard rock swagger.”
From this historic night comes Celebrating 50 Years—Live At The Ryman, a live album set for release on June 27th. This commemorative collection includes performances with special guests Marcus King, John Osborne of The Brothers Osborne, Brent Smith of Shinedown, and Donnie Van Zant—honoring the band’s roots and enduring influence.
One of the most emotional highlights of the evening is a reimagined version of “Tuesday’s Gone,” featuring breakout artist Jelly Roll. First released in 1973 on the band’s debut album, the song gets a new life as Jelly Roll joins Skynyrd onstage for a performance soaked in raw emotion and reverence. The band wrote:
“Experience the soul-stirring moment when Jelly Roll joined Lynyrd Skynyrd on stage for an unforgettable performance of ‘Tuesday’s Gone.’”
With this release, Skynyrd doesn’t just mark five decades—they remind the world why their legacy continues to resonate across generations.
