Claim: Several of Lynyrd Skynyrd's band members died in an airplane crash.

Lynyrd Skynyrd -LRB- pronounced -LSB- ˌlɛnərd_ˈskɪnərd -RSB- -RRB- is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s . Originally formed in 1964 as My Backyard in Jacksonville , Florida , the band was also known by names such as The Noble Five and One Percent , before finally deciding on `` Lynyrd Skynyrd '' in 1969 . The band gained worldwide recognition for its live performances and signature songs `` Sweet Home Alabama '' and `` Free Bird '' . At the peak of their success , two band members and a backup singer died in an airplane crash in 1977 , putting an abrupt end to the band 's most popular incarnation . The band has sold 28 million records in the United States .   The surviving band members reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant , the younger brother of lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant . Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record with co-founder Gary Rossington , Johnny Van Zant , and guitarist Rickey Medlocke -- who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 -LRB- before his return to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996 -RRB- . Fellow founding member Larry Junstrom , along with '70s members Ed King and Artimus Pyle , remain active in music but no longer tour or record with the band . Longtime drummer Michael Cartellone has recorded and toured with the band since 1999 . Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13 , 2006 .