“He’s the Real Deal. He Came in Reeking of Pot”: Johnny Van Zant Opens Up on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s New Live Album, Life Without Gary Rossington, and What’s Next
In a candid and emotional interview, Johnny Van Zant, longtime frontman of Lynyrd Skynyrd, has opened up about the legendary Southern rock band’s new live album, the impact of Gary Rossington’s passing, and the future of Skynyrd as they navigate uncharted territory without their last original founding member.
The new live album, titled “Still Unbroken: Live in the South,” is both a tribute and a triumph — capturing the spirit of a band that has endured tragedy, change, and decades in the spotlight while still firing on all cylinders. The album was recorded during their 2024 Southern U.S. tour, which saw thousands of devoted fans show up to honor the group’s enduring legacy and to mourn, together, the loss of one of rock’s greatest guitarists.
Remembering Gary Rossington: “He Was Our Heart and Soul”
Gary Rossington, the last original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, passed away in March 2023, leaving a void that can never fully be filled. Johnny Van Zant, who joined the band in 1987 after the death of his older brother Ronnie in the 1977 plane crash, described Rossington as more than just a guitarist.
“Gary wasn’t just the last original member — he was the heart and soul of this band,” Johnny said. “He had a way of making his guitar cry, like it was telling you a story. Every night on stage, we still feel him with us.”
Though Rossington had stepped back from regular touring due to health concerns before his passing, he remained a guiding force behind the scenes. His death cast a long emotional shadow over the band, but also pushed them to dig deeper and carry forward his legacy.
The Live Album: A Tribute in Every Note
“Still Unbroken: Live in the South” is raw, unfiltered Skynyrd — a mix of hits and deep cuts, delivered with the ferocity and soul fans have come to expect. The album includes iconic tracks like “Free Bird,” “Simple Man,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” and “Gimme Three Steps,” performed with a renewed intensity.
One standout addition on the live record is a blistering 12-minute version of “Tuesday’s Gone,” introduced with a spoken-word tribute to Rossington, which Johnny performs every night with mist in his eyes.
“This album isn’t perfect — and we didn’t want it to be,” Johnny explained. “It’s live. It’s honest. And every single song, we’re thinking of Gary.”
A New Guitarist Joins the Family: “He Came in Reeking of Pot”
Filling Gary Rossington’s shoes on stage is no small feat. Enter Taylor Grant, a 29-year-old guitar phenom from Georgia, handpicked by the band after a nationwide search for someone who could not just play the parts but embody the spirit of Skynyrd.
“He’s the real deal,” Van Zant said with a chuckle. “He came in reeking of pot, hair down to his waist, and a Stratocaster slung low like he was born to play it. I looked at Rickey [Medlocke] and said, ‘Well, hell, maybe he’s one of us already.’”
Despite the unconventional first impression, Taylor quickly won over both the band and the fans with his soulful tone and reverence for the music.
“Taylor doesn’t try to be Gary. He honors Gary. And that’s what matters.”
Life on the Road: Still Rocking, Still Healing
Skynyrd’s 2024 tour was as much a healing process as it was a celebration. Thousands turned out in each city, holding lighters and phone lights aloft during “Free Bird,” often in tears. The band, now entering its sixth decade, continues to draw fans both old and new.
“Every night, we see three generations out there,” said Johnny. “Grandparents, parents, kids. That’s the power of music. That’s the power of Skynyrd.”
While age and loss have slowed them down physically, the energy remains. Rickey Medlocke and Mark Matejka continue to deliver blazing guitar solos, while drummer Michael Cartellone and bassist Keith Christopher hold down the groove with classic Southern grit.
New Music on the Horizon?
Fans eager for fresh Skynyrd material were thrilled to hear Johnny tease the possibility of new studio recordings.
“We’ve been writing again — not trying to reinvent the wheel, just telling stories the way we always have. There’s a song we’re working on called ‘Long Way Back Home’ that I think Gary would have loved. It’s about going through hell and still standing.”
Though no official release date has been announced, sources close to the band suggest that a new EP or even a full album could arrive in 2026 — possibly their first since 2012’s Last of a Dyin’ Breed.
What’s Next for Skynyrd?
With Gary Rossington gone and Johnny Van Zant nearing retirement, many wonder how long Lynyrd Skynyrd will continue. Van Zant admits that time is catching up but insists they’re not ready to hang it up just yet.
“We ain’t immortal, but the music might be. As long as there’s people who still want to hear these songs and sing them loud, we’ll keep showing up. Gary would want that. Ronnie would want that. That’s why we do it.”
Skynyrd is already booking shows for 2025, including a rumored return to Red Rocks Amphitheatre and a joint tour with another classic Southern rock band to be announced later this year.
Final Thoughts: Still Unbroken
Lynyrd Skynyrd has been through more than most bands could ever endure — plane crashes, lineup changes, tragedy, and time itself. But through it all, they’ve stayed true to their sound and their fans.
“Still Unbroken: Live in the South” isn’t just an album. It’s a statement. That even after all these years — and now without Gary Rossington — the flame still burns.
“We’re not just a band,” Van Zant said. “We’re a family. And the Skynyrd Nation? They’re our family too. And we ain’t done yet.”
