He was 16 or 17 when he wrote it. He had the chords for about 2 years before Ronnie came up with the lyrics; that was 1970 and Allen would have been 18.
This is the show in England where Lynyrd Skynyrd pissed off Mick Jagger when they went out on the "tongue" of the stage to play. The Stones only had one rule for opening bands at Knebworth: Do not go down the "tongue" ramp, a Stones stage feature that extended down near the crowd. Skynyrd, the bad boys they were, ignored this rule, Van Zant leading an at first hesitant Rossington and Collins down the ramp. Ronnie didn't give a damn about rules. classic Skynard!!
Correct, that was Knebworth in England in 1976. Mr. Van Zant from what I remember reading got into a "stare down" with Mr. Jagger about it. In fact, the Rolling Stones couldn't top the "Jacksonville 5+" performance that day. They were clunky and sloppy, likely very drunk or high (or both).
@@googleusergp Funichios is an Atlanta club popular in the 1970s where a lot of emerging southern rock bands would play. Located on Peachtree in Midtown, this was a place where you could see Lynyrd Skynrd live when they would drive in from Jacksonville
What made this band special is the fact that ronnie loved showing off his band members. Ronnie let them shine. Like in this video he pushes the guitarists out front so they could shine.
Ronnie's Guitar Army. All of them were so talented. Allen and Ronnie both wrote Freebird. Can you imagine being the Rolling Stones and having to play after that performance? 😂
I love the back story to this particular solo. They were told not to walk out on the rolling stones stage tongue. By God Ronnie wasn't gonna be told what to do! He pushed the boys out on it to do this solo. My kinda dude! 🤘🤘❤️❤️
I recently heard that story. A small detail but an amazing detail. I've been researching and going down the skynyrd rabbit hole. It's been quite the journey, I never knew how deep it went.
That was so Ronnie, you gotta love that. Mick Jagger was hysterically angry, although knew better than to confront them longhaired good ole boys from Jacksonville, Florida, and besides, as far as those in attendance, 'Skynyrd stole the show.
Ronnie and Gary were in my high school gym class. The gym coach kept suspending them for long hair. Many years later they reconciled with their Gym Coach, Leonard Skinner.
I live in Orange park and decided to go to Riverside Memorial Cemetary last weekend and got to see Allen, his girlfriend, Ronnie, Billy, and Leon. Going back in a few weeks to see Gary when hes put to rest. God bless this band.
do they have a version that just shows him playing oh my gosh i’m sitting here crying that’s all i want to see idc about the crowd the solo is legendary
I definitely didn’t appreciate it until I watched my 17 year old son slay this last night at a concert he and his friends were playing. When I saw his fingers fly on that guitar, I was like HOLY S***!!!! I came to watch the original to compare and I’m still floored.
I have said since the first time seeing this video many many years ago, it is the best, #1, without a doubt, the greatest live performance recorded by any band during a live concert. I also knew about the tongue being off limits. Ronnie wasn't going to have that as he escorts his awesome guitar players down it. It's cool to watch Ronnie during this song become the "band leader" and guide the band to a nonforgetable time in history. What an incredible band.
A school friend went to this show at Knebworth (in Reading, U.K.), ostensibly to see the Rolling Stones. Very few people knew who Lynyrd Skynyrd were there. He came back raving about Skynyrd and barely mentioned the headliners. By the end of that week, everyone knew who they were and they became huge in the U.K. That’s how to do it 😂
This is it! This will and is the most intense jam of an era, probably an epoch! Its is almost impossible to handle! I love how Ronnie calls them back, cuts them off cus nobaody in the house can take any more! God Was Very Pleased!
A legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd performance near the height of their powers and one of - if not the -greatest rock anthems. Collins doesn't get the recognition he deserves, however he was performing with other great guitarists (who also don't get enough recognition) Gary Rossington, Ed King and later Steve Gains.
ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS ALLEN COLLINS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Told not to walk out on the tongue. And I think Ronnie being proud of his band and knowing how good they were said my guitarists are going on the tongue and I'm gonna show them off..
Take That! What a gob of God Given Talent Allen was given. How in the world could any journalist that understands music see this and not take note is beyond this rank amateurs scope. Simply one of the greatest, EVER!
I have no doubt that Allen could keep that solo going all day long and it would sound phenomenal all the way through, definitely a very skilled player and it's one of my favorite solos to play.
Maybe the great duel of all time, Allen Collins vs. Steve Gaines. Given time, who knows but imo Collins' guitar is superb here. Very easily if 77 didn't happen we could have seen the Steve Gaines band and music would be drastically different to this day. What a pleasure to see 76's and mid 77 Lynyrd Skynyrd on video at least. I was born in 84, no doubt to this track on radio.
Best song ever written, best band and the best guitar solo ever 😊 I’m so thankful to my dad for introducing me to the amazing rock bands he has. I used to be embarrassed of his side burns and shoulder length thick hair when I was a teen now I look back and think how cool he had the swag he still wears his cowboy style boots on certain occasions I think he’s stuck in the 70s although the hairs almost gone now 😂
Sadly, unless youre a true fan, you don't know Steve and he's right out there rockin with Allen. They are all reunited now, RIP guys and my goodness thank you for the library of music you left us with.
First heard this in 1978 , what a classic sadly the only time l saw them was a few years ago and was so drunk l can't remember see the gig, never mind must have been too though 😂😂😂
Man, tell ya what, I am so Free! 16 months ago I was 130 lbs, had scabs on my face. Sold and used so much meth. So much demonic infestation, psychosis. Today I'm 165 lbs, 6'1" and only by god's grace through His Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit I have mounted up on wings like and eagle and flying hight on my free bird! Im climbing this mountain for my savior for all to see and not even looking back! Hallelujah! I'll sing it I'll say it I'll shout it! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Alan Collins, MOST underrated long slim finger feller ever...
I agree wholeheartedly.
Best ever son
100% fact 👌
❤
He is the man. 😮
Allen didn’t just play guitar, he opened his soul and the music flowed out through his guitar. Best solo ever!
19 years old and wrote this... incredible what the youth did and created before social media
He was 16 or 17 when he wrote it. He had the chords for about 2 years before Ronnie came up with the lyrics; that was 1970 and Allen would have been 18.
No fucking doubt
Amen
I think he was a little younger but he it is incredible what they did
This was prime Skynard and one of Allen’s best. That solo is one of the greatest in rock history. Seriously.
most likely the greatest
I tend to say on the 7th day God and Skynyrd sat down and wrote Free Bird ! what I heard anyway .
The talent. Unmatched. Wow
Amen!!! 🙏❤️👍
That's right!!!!!
This is the show in England where Lynyrd Skynyrd pissed off Mick Jagger when they went out on the "tongue" of the stage to play. The Stones only had one rule for opening bands at Knebworth: Do not go down the "tongue" ramp, a Stones stage feature that extended down near the crowd. Skynyrd, the bad boys they were, ignored this rule, Van Zant leading an at first hesitant Rossington and Collins down the ramp. Ronnie didn't give a damn about rules. classic Skynard!!
Correct, that was Knebworth in England in 1976. Mr. Van Zant from what I remember reading got into a "stare down" with Mr. Jagger about it. In fact, the Rolling Stones couldn't top the "Jacksonville 5+" performance that day. They were clunky and sloppy, likely very drunk or high (or both).
@@googleusergp Funichios is an Atlanta club popular in the 1970s where a lot of emerging southern rock bands would play. Located on Peachtree in Midtown, this was a place where you could see Lynyrd Skynrd live when they would drive in from Jacksonville
Who was gonna' f with Ronnie??
@@googleusergp Mick also said "he would never follow that band from Florida ever again". RVZ didn't give a damn.
Ronnie said fuck that tongue lol
Kicked the Stone's asses.....
Left a shitty taste on Micks tongue. Ha ha. Good!
Allen was possessed.. unreal.!
People dont know how lucky they were to see this masterpiece unfold in front of their eyes. Unreal
Allen Collins My favorite guitarist and should be yours too
Gary and ED KING where RIGHT THERE with Allen !!!!!! and don't ever forget that fact Jack !
@@kencrisp2588 i didn’t forget Gary and ED or Steve Gaines I’m saying Allen is my favorite Joe
@LuisHernandez-vq4lv I enjoyed all 3, but Allen may have been the best. Hard to say when they were all awesome
He is
The most underrated rock guitarist of all time! Rip 👑
You sure got that right
Wow!!!
What made this band special is the fact that ronnie loved showing off his band members. Ronnie let them shine. Like in this video he pushes the guitarists out front so they could shine.
Ronnie's Guitar Army. All of them were so talented. Allen and Ronnie both wrote Freebird. Can you imagine being the Rolling Stones and having to play after that performance? 😂
I love the back story to this particular solo. They were told not to walk out on the rolling stones stage tongue. By God Ronnie wasn't gonna be told what to do! He pushed the boys out on it to do this solo. My kinda dude! 🤘🤘❤️❤️
I recently heard that story. A small detail but an amazing detail. I've been researching and going down the skynyrd rabbit hole. It's been quite the journey, I never knew how deep it went.
That was so Ronnie, you gotta love that.
Mick Jagger was hysterically angry, although knew better than to confront them longhaired good ole boys from Jacksonville, Florida, and besides, as far as those in attendance, 'Skynyrd stole the show.
@@freebirdtonyRonnie would have kicked his butt. You don’t jack with RVZ
@@dr.know-it-all5148
Sho got that right. In fact, even though Jagger was livid, he didn't complain. That was a smart move on his part.
Ronnie Van Zant was the epitome of they can’t whoop me 🤷🏽♂️
1:19 always loved how the bass player wanted to come up and play but his cord said NO
Leon should need a longer cord
Yeah poor Leon.
The riff at 3:32 is amazing - Allen should be included in EVERY top 10 ten list in the World - forever !!!
Collins was Skynyrd’s best guitarist, Rossington their most versatile, and Steve Gaines their most promising. All were lethal.
So true, Can't forget about Ed King.
Ronnie and Gary were in my high school gym class.
The gym coach kept suspending them for long hair.
Many years later they reconciled with their Gym Coach, Leonard Skinner.
@@HAL9007le fameux monsieur Skinner tu étais donc un camarade de classe de Bart simpson😂
ED KING ??????????????? Shame on u
Spot on!
I live in Orange park and decided to go to Riverside Memorial Cemetary last weekend and got to see Allen, his girlfriend, Ronnie, Billy, and Leon. Going back in a few weeks to see Gary when hes put to rest.
God bless this band.
Tell em peaceful rest
From me if you will, thank you!
His girlfriend? He's buried with his wife.
They were RIGHTEOUS !!!!!!
Waddup op buddy
His first girlfriend that died in the car wreck is buried out there too not onky his wife. @@ElizabethJohnson-ss4ce
Having watched this video/ tv over the last 40 years, and being 61 my god l wish l was there!!,
I saw them at least 15 times along with the Allman Bros !!!!!!!
do they have a version that just shows him playing oh my gosh i’m sitting here crying that’s all i want to see idc about the crowd the solo is legendary
Just AWESOME......
One of my ALL time favorite guitar solos. To this day, I don't think enough people appreciate Collins and this solo. 🤘🏼
I definitely didn’t appreciate it until I watched my 17 year old son slay this last night at a concert he and his friends were playing. When I saw his fingers fly on that guitar, I was like HOLY S***!!!! I came to watch the original to compare and I’m still floored.
Allen having the time of his life😊
I have said since the first time seeing this video many many years ago, it is the best, #1, without a doubt, the greatest live performance recorded by any band during a live concert. I also knew about the tongue being off limits. Ronnie wasn't going to have that as he escorts his awesome guitar players down it. It's cool to watch Ronnie during this song become the "band leader" and guide the band to a nonforgetable time in history.
What an incredible band.
Long live allen Collins!!!! 🫡
…
@@Gibsonsg1991what?
Holy shit.!!!!! Can’t duplicate that
All the snobs and purists be damned - THIS is the greatest rock guitar solo of all time.
A school friend went to this show at Knebworth (in Reading, U.K.), ostensibly to see the Rolling Stones. Very few people knew who Lynyrd Skynyrd were there. He came back raving about Skynyrd and barely mentioned the headliners. By the end of that week, everyone knew who they were and they became huge in the U.K. That’s how to do it 😂
"you got 7 minutes, show the world you're one of the greatest there ever was"
This is it! This will and is the most intense jam of an era, probably an epoch! Its is almost impossible to handle! I love how Ronnie calls them back, cuts them off cus nobaody in the house can take any more! God Was Very Pleased!
This guitar solo worths the money for the full ticket..UNBELIEVABLE!!!
Forty eight years later and this still blows my mind.
A legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd performance near the height of their powers and one of - if not the -greatest rock anthems. Collins doesn't get the recognition he deserves, however he was performing with other great guitarists (who also don't get enough recognition) Gary Rossington, Ed King and later Steve Gains.
It IS the greatest - when's the last time you watched a "Stairway to Heaven" video?
All 4 of them, UNFROCKING believable ! just TEARING IT UP !
@@RogerGibson-pz5wlyou sound like an asshole with your opinion.
Skynard ruled that day. I was in that crowd. They owned the Stones at that event.
Wow incredible ! Are you from Great Britain?
@@bojangles713 I was born in Scotland.
@@iainmore3961 alright mate even better imma "euromutt" deep down and a copious amount of Scottish blood in me veins 🏴 👍🤘
I guess you know how lucky you were!!
And Ronnie knew it ! that's why he pushed his Boys out on their tongue, and they TORE IT UP Southern style !
Amazing, and then I realised that actually I was there in 1976
Allen Collins was one of my biggest inspirations for my picking up the guitar!! He was really something special!! ❤️☮️❤️
That band NEVER had a BAD Guitar player EVER
The way these guys played and were self taught is amazing blew the Stones outta of the water the way Muddy did years before lol
Allen: bestially real
Billy was gitten after it too!
As always they were all AWESOME one of the GREATEST BANDS EVER !
No doubt the greatest band to walk the stage 🗽🎸
I know it's the Stones, but how could anyone follow that? Epic!
NOBODY COULD !!! I bet Mick peed himself !!!!!
Brings a tear to your eye how good that solo is.
Absolutely F….. Brilliant 🤗🤗🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸👍☮️
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
ALLEN COLLINS
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWE come on now , how about LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND !
@@kencrisp2588 of course, Lynyrd Skynyrd featuring ALLEN COLLINS
Told not to walk out on the tongue. And I think Ronnie being proud of his band and knowing how good they were said my guitarists are going on the tongue and I'm gonna show them off..
Never Ever Gets Old
Take That! What a gob of God Given Talent Allen was given. How in the world could any journalist that understands music see this and not take note is beyond this rank amateurs scope. Simply one of the greatest, EVER!
Absolute beast.
we used to have proper rock stars
these guys were something else
@@Pixelon_ you prolly a kid
i read this as we used to have paper rock scissors
I have no doubt that Allen could keep that solo going all day long and it would sound phenomenal all the way through, definitely a very skilled player and it's one of my favorite solos to play.
And the Rolling Stones had to follow this right?
Blew the stone's out the park
This solo is the greatest thing mankind has ever created. Thank you Allen Collins and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
❤ Lynyrd Skynyrd ❤️
Ol'Gray whistle test 😁
Man oh man what a rock band 😍 I love it!!!
Damn, he killed that guitar! Legend!!!
If you used your 1 time wish to travel back to this right here… I can’t fault that tbr.. if only music was still up to this standard nowadays
Europeans gone Wild!
☘️🇩🇪🏴🇺🇸💥👋🏻
that was f-ing EPIC!!!!!
It’s been one year since my last comment- Still Rockin on the weekends !!! and my neighbours are still listening as well 🤗👍😄🎸🎸🎸
Thanks for the treasure, Matt. Just saw Nuthin' Fancy, they pay good omage to the band.
The day they said F The Rolling Stones
BEST song ever! RIP guys you will always ROCK!!!
Wonderful
Respect! That’s fucking talent. He was def on his “A Game” that day, played amazing.
As Always never heard a BAD VERSION of any of there tunes
Im rocking out right now / ALLEN COLLINS 🎉
Wonder where that korina explorer is right now? Great guitars!
I believe a friend of Allen's owns it....
He is the very best guitarist ever😊
Take that rolling stones!! 🎉🎉🎉
Maybe the great duel of all time, Allen Collins vs. Steve Gaines. Given time, who knows but imo Collins' guitar is superb here. Very easily if 77 didn't happen we could have seen the Steve Gaines band and music would be drastically different to this day. What a pleasure to see 76's and mid 77 Lynyrd Skynyrd on video at least. I was born in 84, no doubt to this track on radio.
Alan Collins playing his famous 1958 Gibson Explorer like nobody else could .
Wow simply wow
God bless Allen Collins
Best song ever written, best band and the best guitar solo ever 😊 I’m so thankful to my dad for introducing me to the amazing rock bands he has. I used to be embarrassed of his side burns and shoulder length thick hair when I was a teen now I look back and think how cool he had the swag he still wears his cowboy style boots on certain occasions I think he’s stuck in the 70s although the hairs almost gone now 😂
I love how Ronnie is watching out for them..
The greatest live Freebird performance to ever be recorded 👨⚖️
Sadly, unless youre a true fan, you don't know Steve and he's right out there rockin with Allen. They are all reunited now, RIP guys and my goodness thank you for the library of music you left us with.
REMARKABLE!
3:21-3:32 gives me the chills
Exelente guitarrista...nos dejo antes de tiempo.
Bravo à Steve Gaines aussi.
Grandiosi, l ultimo vero leggendario gruppo rock❤😊
The Gutair ARMY ! Dammmm 😊🎉🎉
Legend.
Legend 4 ever 🤙🏼🤗
FANTASTIC LUV IT
First heard this in 1978
, what a classic sadly the only time l saw them was a few years ago and was so drunk l can't remember see the gig, never mind must have been too though 😂😂😂
Gracias por compartir esto carnal, no sabía que lo necesitaba
Te amo Allen Colliiiiins
I could just imagine shredding your fingers to this song
Reminds me of Albert Lee’s Goin’ Home at Woodstock.
American Treasure
back n day when there is no mobile phone and no internet and now spottily to subscribe
Just the best
Ronnie really brought his mules out there on ol Mick Jagged Lips and Allen took ol EC Slowhands fretboard for workout Southern fried Rock style 🤘🏻✌🏻🎸
Ronnie backstage having "a blow for your nose"
I just had CHURCH!
I think I could turn that Allen guy into a Rock Star , I really do !
At the 7 minute point Mick Jagger pooped his panties. And Keith Richard’s took guitar lessons from Allen Collins
❤
flying on my guitar ... freebird
RIP Allen Collins
So much acid takers on the crowd 😂
Safe to say he was feelin himself.. dude was in his zone!
Man, tell ya what, I am so Free! 16 months ago I was 130 lbs, had scabs on my face. Sold and used so much meth. So much demonic infestation, psychosis. Today I'm 165 lbs, 6'1" and only by god's grace through His Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit I have mounted up on wings like and eagle and flying hight on my free bird! Im climbing this mountain for my savior for all to see and not even looking back! Hallelujah! I'll sing it I'll say it I'll shout it! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Amen brother! Congratulations on your freedom, it is not easy, praise God!