There are many bands and people out there who have greatly influenced pop culture. They range from the Beatles to Miley Cyrus. Also coming from all parts of the world. From England to the American South. From these groups comes one that almost everyone has heard of, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lynyrd Skynyrd are a great contributing factor to modern pop culture because they showed the new era of the South but also that they would not stray from the legacy of the "Old South". If Lynyrd Skynyrd were a vehicle, it would be one of those "big", powerful, fancy pickup trucks (Manning). Skynyrd worked on the matrix between laid-back Southern rock and heavy metal. As popular and expressive as Skynyrd are, this quote is definitely true. They are really popular, as they have sold 25 million records in their career (Beam and Skynyrd Tour). This achievement alone is jaw dropping and says they are legends. I mean, think about it, 25 million records! When Skynyrd releases an album, it may only take one tour date to showcase that album (Olson). Lynyrd Skynyrd grew up in the heat of their hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. Which was a point of origin of Southern rock. Deep in the heart of the South and full of blue-collar Americans. That blue collar was what Skynyrd was known for. Bar fights and stubbornness set them apart from other musicians. Skynyrd brought their blue-collar lifestyle to the stage by wearing cowboy hats and denim jeans (Swenson). As one of the most charismatic figures in rock history, Ronnie Van Zant brought Lynyrd Skynyrd to fame with his strong Southern spirit and emotional voice. Funny though, Van Zant didn't wear shoes on stage (Swenson). Naming the band after their high school gym coach as a joke when...... middle of paper ......w. Skynyrd drew the line between anger and change. Between raising hell and being yourself towards redemption. Works Cited “Beam and Skynyrd Tour.” Beverage industry. October 2003. General Onefile.Web. April 16, 2014.Lynyrd Skynyrd. “Sweet Home Alabama”. MSRC. June 1973.Record.Manning,Daina Dazin. “Lynyrd Skynyrd (concert)”. Hollywood reporter. 8 August 2002. General Onefile.. Web. 16 April 2014Olson, Catherine Applefield. “Lynyrd Skynyrd is a Winner with CMC, Walmart Billboard.” September 4, 1999. General OneFile. Network. April 16, 2014.Pedersen, Erik. “Skynyrd Original was the pianist on 'Free Bird'.” Hollywood reporter. January 29, 2009 General Onefile. Network. April 16, 2014Swenson, John.” The story of a gang”. Advertising billboard. December 5, 1998. General Onefile.Web. April 16, 2014Waddell, Ray. “Lynyrd Skynyrd Ready to Rock with ZZ Top.” Fun. May 10, 1999. General Onefile. Network. April 16. 2014