List of Lynyrd Skynyrd members - wikipedia List of Lynyrd Skynyrd members Three lineups of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1973 ( top ), 1977 ( middle ) and 2008 ( bottom ). Lynyrd Skynyrd is a Southern rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1964, the group originally included vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom and drummer Bob Burns. The current lineup features Rossington, guitarist and vocalist Rickey Medlocke ( from 1971 to 1972, and since 1996 ), lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant ( since 1987 ), drummer Michael Cartellone ( since 1999 ), guitarist Mark Matejka ( since 2006 ), keyboardist Peter Keys ( since 2009 ) and bassist Keith Christopher ( since 2017 ). The band also tours with two backing vocalists, currently Dale Krantz - Rossington ( since 1987 ) and Carol Chase ( since 1996 ). Contents 1 History 1.1 1964 -- 1977 1.2 1987 onwards 2 Official members 2.1 Current members 2.2 Former members 3 Other contributors 3.1 Touring members 3.2 Live substitutes 4 Timeline 5 Bibliography 6 References 7 External links History 1964 -- 1977 Lynyrd Skynyrd was formed under the name My Backyard in 1964, which was later changed to The Noble Five, and again to One Percent. The group originally included vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Larry Junstrom and drummer Bob Burns, all of whom were students at Robert E. Lee High School. After performing live for several years, the band recorded for the first time in 1971, when Junstrom and Burns were replaced by Greg T. Walker and Rickey Medlocke, respectively. The following year, Walker was replaced by the band 's original choice of bassist Leon Wilkeson, and Medlocke moved to third guitarist as Burns returned on drums. Medlocke had left by the end of the year. Billy Powell had also been added as the group 's first keyboardist, having worked as a roadie since 1970. Shortly before recording began for the band 's debut album ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ), Wilkeson left Lynyrd Skynyrd and was replaced by Ed King. Later during the sessions the bassist returned, with King subsequently taking up the role of third guitarist. Burns remained for 1974 's Second Helping, but left in January 1975 due to touring fatigue, with Artimus Pyle taking his place. King left on May 26, 1975, two months after the release of Nuthin ' Fancy. He was replaced the following year by Steve Gaines, who was recommended by his sister Cassie Gaines after she had recently joined as one of the band 's touring backing vocalists. On October 20, 1977 -- three days after the release of the band 's fifth studio album Street Survivors -- a chartered plane on which the members and crew were travelling crashed in Gillsburg, Mississippi. Six people died in the accident, including band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines ; many of the other passengers onboard were seriously injured, including Wilkeson who was left in a critical condition and reportedly declared dead three times. The group disbanded after the crash. In 1978, a collection of previously unreleased recordings from 1971 and 1972 was released as Skynyrd 's First and... Last. The following year, the surviving members ( with the exception of Wilkeson ) reunited at Volunteer Jam for a performance of `` Free Bird '' with Charlie Daniels and his band. 1987 onwards In July 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd announced their reforming for the Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour, with returning members Rossington, King, Wilkeson, Pyle and Powell joined by new lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie 's younger brother. Collins was unable to join the reunited group after a car accident the previous year which left him paralyzed from the waist down, choosing Randall Hall from his own eponymous band to take his place on guitar. After the band 's first post-reformation studio album Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991, Pyle left suddenly after a show in August, with Kurt Custer taking his place. Hall left in 1993 after the release of The Last Rebel, later suing the remaining members of the band for $500,000. Custer followed Hall out of the group the next year in order to focus on his solo career. Hall and Custer were replaced by Mike Estes and Owen Hale, respectively, both of whom performed on the 1994 album Endangered Species. King was forced to leave the band in 1996 due to health problems, with Hughie Thomasson brought in to take his place ; Estes left around the same time, with former drummer Medlocke returning to the band on guitar as a result. Hale left in late 1998 after the Twenty Tour ; he was replaced first by Jeff McAllister, followed by Kenny Aronoff who played on Edge of Forever, before Michael Cartellone took over in 1999 after the dissolution of the Damn Yankees. On July 27, 2001, longtime bassist Leon Wilkeson died in his sleep of natural causes. He was replaced by Ean Evans, who had earlier substituted for Wilkeson at several shows the previous year. Thomasson left Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2005 to reform his previous band Outlaws, with his replacement Mark Matejka joining early the next year. The band was forced to change its lineup twice in 2009 due to deaths in the group -- first, longtime keyboardist Billy Powell died of a heart attack on January 28 ; and later, bassist Evans died of cancer on May 6. Peter Keys was later brought in to replace Powell, while Evans was replaced by Robert Kearns. Kearns remained until 2012, when he was replaced by former Black Crowes bassist Johnny Colt. Keith Christopher replaced Colt in mid-2017. Official members Current members Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions Gary Rossington 1964 -- 1977 1987 -- present guitars all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases Rickey Medlocke 1971 -- 1972 1996 -- present guitars, vocals ( 1996 -- present ) drums, vocals ( 1971 -- 1972 ) Skynyrd 's First and... Last ( 1978 ) all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Twenty ( 1997 ) onwards Johnny Van Zant 1987 -- present lead vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Southern by the Grace of God ( 1988 ) onwards Michael Cartellone 1999 -- present drums percussion all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Edge of Forever ( 1999 ) onwards Mark Matejka 2006 -- present guitars backing vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from God & Guns ( 2009 ) onwards Peter Keys 2009 -- present keyboards all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Last of a Dyin ' Breed ( 2012 ) onwards Keith Christopher 2017 -- present bass none to date Former members Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions Ronnie Van Zant 1964 -- 1977 ( his death ) lead vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) ( 1973 ) to Legend ( 1987 ) Allen Collins 1964 -- 1977 ( died 1990 ) guitars Bob Burns 1964 -- 1971 1972 -- 1975 ( died 2015 ) drums ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) ( 1973 ) Second Helping ( 1974 ) Skynyrd 's First and... Last ( 1978 ) Legend ( 1987 ) Larry Junstrom 1964 -- 1971 bass `` Need All My Friends '' ( 1968 ) Greg T. Walker 1971 -- 1972 bass backing vocals Skynyrd 's First and... Last ( 1978 ) Leon Wilkeson 1972 1973 -- 1977 1987 -- 2001 ( his death ) bass backing vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) ( 1973 ) to Edge of Forever ( 1999 ) Vicious Cycle ( 2003 ) Billy Powell 1972 -- 1977 1987 -- 2009 ( his death ) keyboards piano all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) ( 1973 ) to Live from Freedom Hall ( 2010 ) Ed King 1972 -- 1975 1987 -- 1996 guitars bass ( 1972 -- 1973 ) backing vocals ( 1972 - 1975 ) ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) ( 1973 ) Second Helping ( 1974 ) Nuthin ' Fancy ( 1975 ) all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Skynyrd 's First and... Last ( 1978 ) to Southern Knights ( 1996 ) Artimus Pyle 1975 -- 1977 1987 -- 1991 drums percussion all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Nuthin ' Fancy ( 1975 ) to Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 ( 1991 ), except Skynyrd 's First and... Last ( 1978 ) Steve Gaines 1976 -- 1977 ( his death ) guitars backing vocals One More from the Road ( 1976 ) Street Survivors ( 1977 ) Legend ( 1987 ) Randall Hall 1987 -- 1993 Southern by the Grace of God ( 1988 ) Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 ( 1991 ) The Last Rebel ( 1993 ) Kurt Custer 1991 -- 1994 drums The Last Rebel ( 1993 ) Mike Estes 1994 -- 1996 guitars, backing vocals Endangered Species ( 1994 ) Southern Knights ( 1996 ) Owen Hale 1994 -- 1998 drums percussion Endangered Species ( 1994 ) Southern Knights ( 1996 ) Twenty ( 1997 ) Lyve from Steel Town ( 1998 ) Hughie Thomasson 1996 -- 2005 ( died 2007 ) guitars backing vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Twenty ( 1997 ) to Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve : The Vicious Cycle Tour ( 2003 ) Jeff McAllister 1998 -- 1999 drums none Kenny Aronoff 1999 Edge of Forever ( 1999 ) Ean Evans 2001 -- 2009 ( his death ) bass backing vocals all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Vicious Cycle ( 2003 ) to Live from Freedom Hall ( 2010 ) Robert Kearns 2009 -- 2012 none Johnny Colt 2012 -- 2017 Last of a Dyin ' Breed ( 2012 ) One More for the Fans ( 2015 ) Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd & Second Helping Live from Jacksonville at the Florida Theatre ( 2015 ) Other contributors Touring members Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions Cassie Gaines 1975 -- 1977 ( her death ) backing vocals One More from the Road ( 1976 ) Street Survivors ( 1977 ) JoJo Billingsley 1975 -- 1977 ( died 2010 ) Leslie Hawkins 1975 -- 1977 Dale Krantz - Rossington 1987 -- present all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Southern by the Grace of God ( 1988 ) onwards Carol Bristow 1987 -- 1988 Southern by the Grace of God ( 1988 ) Debbie Bailey 1991 -- 1994 none Debbie Davis - Estes 1994 -- 1996 Endangered Species ( 1994 ) Southern Knights ( 1996 ) Carol Chase 1996 -- present all Lynyrd Skynyrd releases from Twenty ( 1997 ) onwards Live substitutes Image Name Years active Instruments Notes Tim Lindsey 1993 - 1994 bass Lindsey substituted for Wilkeson at several shows in 1993 during The Last Rebel Tour. Rick Wills 1999 Wills substituted for Wilkeson at several shows in July 1999 during the Edge of Forever Tour. Joey Huffman 2008 keyboards Huffman substituted for Powell at several shows in 2008 during the Rock & Rebels Tour. Timeline Bibliography Ribowsky, Mark ( April 1, 2015 ), Whiskey Bottles and Brand - New Cars : The Fast Life and Sudden Death of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Chicago, Illinois : Chicago Review Press, ISBN 978 - 1569761465, retrieved November 13, 2017 References Jump up ^ Eriksson, Daniel ( October 11, 2012 ). `` 10 Things You Might Not Know About Lynyrd Skynyrd ''. Gibson. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Bever, Lindsey ( April 6, 2015 ). `` A Lynyrd Skynyrd saga : The band loses another member, drummer Bob Burns, to tragedy ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Ribowsky 2015, pp. 52 -- 54 Jump up ^ Ribowsky 2015, p. 56 Jump up ^ Ribowsky 2015, p. 62 Jump up ^ Laing, Dave ( January 30, 2009 ). `` Obituary : Billy Powell ''. The Guardian. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Houston, Todd ( April 18, 2017 ). `` Rockford Rocked : Classic rocker Ed King sounds off ''. Rock River Times. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Buskin, Richard ( January 2008 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd ' Sweet Home Alabama ' : Classic Tracks ''. Sound on Sound. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Mendoza, Menchie ( April 6, 2015 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd Original Drummer Robert Burns Jr. Passes Away Due To Car Crash ''. TechTimes. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ James, Gary. `` Interview With Ed King ''. classicbands.com. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Tortorici, Frank ( September 9, 1998 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd 's Steve Gaines ''. MTV. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Graff, Gary ( May 27, 2015 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd 's Gary Rossington Recalls When ' Free Bird ' Took Flight at Atlanta 's Fox Theatre ''. Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Geller, Wendy ( October 19, 2012 ). `` 35 Years After Tragedy, Lynyrd Skynyrd Still Carries On ''. Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Uhelszki, Jaan ( October 8, 2016 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd : A Southern Ghost Story ''. Classic Rock. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. `` Skynyrd 's First And... Last - Lynyrd Skynyrd : Songs, Reviews, Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Mansfield, Brian ( August 13, 2015 ). `` Daniels celebrates 40 years of Volunteer Jam ''. USA Today. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Moleski, Linda ( July 25, 1987 ). `` Leppard Sets World Tour ; Skynyrd In Tribute Dates '' ( Scan ). Billboard. Vol. 99 no. 30. New York City, New York : Billboard Publications. p. 25. Retrieved November 13, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Giles, Jeff ( June 10, 2016 ). `` The Story of Lynyrd Skynyrd 's Unlikely Return with ' Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 ' ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Giles, Jeff ( January 29, 2016 ). `` The Day Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist Allen Collins Was Paralyzed in a Car Accident ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Kreps, Daniel ( June 19, 2017 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd Sue Former Drummer Over Biopic Plans ''. Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Ribowsky 2015, p. 243 Jump up ^ Bell, June D. ( June 6, 1997 ). `` Guitarist : Lynyrd Skynyrd pushed me out ''. The Florida Times - Union. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Molet, John. `` Kurt Custer 's interview ''. Road to Jacksonville. Retrieved November 13, 2017. ^ Jump up to : Ribowsky 2015, p. 244 Jump up ^ `` Endangered Species - Lynyrd Skynyrd : Credits ''. AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Bachman, Kara Martinez ( February 29, 2016 ). `` Former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer cutting tracks, living dreams in Mandeville studio ''. The Times - Picayune. Advance Publications. Retrieved November 12, 2016. Jump up ^ Swenson, John ( December 5, 1998 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd : The Billboard Interview -- Tales of Southern - Rock Survival '' ( Scan ). Billboard. Vol. 110 no. 49. New York City, New York : Billboard Publications. p. 67. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Nichols, Geoff ( July 13, 2009 ). `` 6 career defining records of Kenny Aronoff ''. MusicRadar. Future plc. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Catlin, Roger ( May 9, 2014 ). `` Michael Cartellone : Sweet home art gallery ''. The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Jeckell, Barry A. ( July 30, 2001 ). `` Skynyrd 's Leon Wilkeson Dies ''. Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Wiederhorn, Jon ( August 1, 2001 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd Name New Bassist For Tour ''. MTV. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Flippo, Chet ( September 11, 2007 ). `` Southern Rock Pioneer Hughie Thomasson Dies in Florida ''. CMT. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. `` Lynyrd Skynyrd : Biography & History ''. AllMusic. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Gilbert, Calvin ( January 28, 2009 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd 's Billy Powell Dead at 56 ''. CMT. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Donald `` Ean '' Evan Dies At 48 ``. Billboard. May 8, 2009. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo ( January 28, 2015 ). `` Six Years Ago : Lynyrd Skynyrd Pianist Billy Powell Dies ''. Ultimate Classic Rock. Loudwire. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Ribowsky 2015, p. 248 Jump up ^ `` Black Crowes Star Johnny Colt Joins Lynyrd Skynyrd ''. Contactmusic.com. May 3, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ `` The Yayhoos Head Out On First Tour In Almost A Decade This August ''. BWW Music World. Wisdom Digital Media. July 11, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017. Jump up ^ Szaroleta, Tom ( May 3, 2012 ). `` Lynyrd Skynyrd welcomes new bass player, plans new album ''. The Florida Times - Union. Retrieved November 13, 2017. External links Lynyrd Skynyrd official website Lynyrd Skynyrd Gary Rossington Rickey Medlocke Johnny Van Zant Michael Cartellone Mark Matejka Peter Keys Keith Christopher Ronnie Van Zant Allen Collins Bob Burns Larry Junstrom Greg T. Walker Leon Wilkeson Billy Powell Ed King Artimus Pyle Steve Gaines Owen Hale Hughie Thomasson Kenny Aronoff Ean Evans Robert Kearns Johnny Colt Studio albums ( Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd ) Second Helping Nuthin ' Fancy Gimme Back My Bullets Street Survivors Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 The Last Rebel Endangered Species Twenty Edge of Forever Christmas Time Again Vicious Cycle God & Guns Last of a Dyin ' Breed Live albums One More from the Road Southern by the Grace of God Lyve from Steel Town Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve : The Vicious Cycle Tour Live from Freedom Hall Compilations Skynyrd 's First and... Last Gold & Platinum Best of the Rest Legend Skynyrd 's Innyrds Lynyrd Skynyrd ( Box Set ) A Retrospective What 's Your Name Old Time Greats The Essential Lynyrd Skynyrd Skynyrd 's First : The Complete Muscle Shoals Album 20th Century Masters : The Best of Lynyrd Skynyrd Solo Flytes All Time Greatest Hits Collectybles Then and Now Thyrty Then and Now Volume Two Greatest Hits Icon Video Freebird... The Movie Lyve From Steel Town Lynyrd Skynyrd Lyve : The Vicious Cycle Tour Live from Freedom Hall Singles `` Need All My Friends '' `` Gimme Three Steps '' / `` Mr. Banker '' `` Do n't Ask Me No Questions '' / `` Take Your Time '' `` Sweet Home Alabama '' `` Free Bird '' `` Saturday Night Special '' / `` Made in the Shade '' `` Double Trouble '' `` Gimme Back My Bullets '' / `` All I Can Do Is Write About It '' `` Gimme Three Steps ( Live ) '' `` What 's Your Name '' / `` I Know A Little '' `` You Got That Right '' `` Truck Drivin ' Man '' `` Swamp Music '' `` Smokestack Lightning '' `` Preacher Man '' `` Red White & Blue ( Love it or Leave ) '' `` Still Unbroken '' Other songs `` Tuesday 's Gone '' `` Simple Man '' `` Things Goin ' On '' `` Saturday Night Special '' `` That Smell '' Tours Pronounced ' Lĕh - ' nérd ' Skin - ' nérd Tour Second Helping Tour Nuthin ' Fancy Tour Gimme Back My Bullets Tour One More From The Road Tour Street Survivors Tour Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 Tour The Last Rebel Tour Lynyrd Skynyrd Twenty Tour Edge of Forever Tour Vicious Cycle Tour Rebels and Bandoleros Tour Spin - off bands Rossington Collins Band The Rossington Band Allen Collins Band Artimus Pyle Band Van Zant Related articles Discography Band Members Skynyrd Frynds 1977 Mississippi CV - 240 crash Ronnie Van Zant Memorial Park Leonard Skinner `` All Summer Long '' Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Lynyrd_Skynyrd_members&oldid=852111811 '' Categories : Lynyrd Skynyrd members Lists of members by band Hidden categories : Pages using Timeline Talk Contents About Wikipedia Norsk Português Edit links This page was last edited on 26 July 2018, at 18 : 15 ( UTC ). 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Question: who is the current lead singer of lynyrd skynyrd
Answer: Rickey Medlocke