This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If you're one of those guys who goes to rock concerts just so you can shout "Play some Skynyrd, man!", then here's the concert for you.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, the legendary Southern rock band, will be the headliner for KBER's annual Bear Fest, which will kick off Labor Day weekend, Friday, Aug. 29, at Usana Amphitheatre, 5150 S. 6055 West, West Valley City.
The band was launched in 1964 by Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, and Gary Rossington, who were friends in Jacksonville, Fla. In 1970, Van Zant thought up the band's name, a corrupted spelling of a teacher they all hated (but in later years befriended).
The band's peak '70s years ended tragically in 1977, in a plane crash near Gillsburg, Miss., that killed Van Zant and bandmates Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines. Several of the surviving members reformed Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1987, with Van Zant's brother Johnny taking over as lead singer.
The current line-up features singer Johnny Van Zant and two members from the band's '70s heyday: guitarist Gary Rossington and guitarist Rickey Medlocke. Also in the band now are drummer Michael Cartellone, guitarist Mark Matejka, keyboardist Peter Keys and bassist Johnny Colt.
Tickets for the show, priced from $26 to $55, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at Smith's Tix.