Yeah, that’s a pretty badass gift.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is obviously one of the greatest bands of all time. Their music is iconic, and the tragic plane crash that killed lead singer Ronnie Van Zant along with guitarist Steve Gaines, his sister and background vocalist Cassie Gaines and three others, only adds to the tragic legacy of one of the world’s most beloved bands.
After taking a hiatus following the plane crash, the surviving members of Skynyrd reunited back in the 1980s with Van Zant’s brother Johnny assuming the lead role, alongside crash survivors Gary Rossington, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson and Artimus Pyle and guitarist Ed King, who had left the band shortly before the plane crash.
But unfortunately, the last surviving member of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup, lead guitarist Gary Rossington, passed away earlier this year.
The band continues to tour, with guitarist Rickey Medlocke the only remaining member of the band who was part of Skynyrd before the plane crash.
And recently, Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant had quite the surprise for Jelly Roll – and his fans – at his show in Jacksonville, Florida.
Skynyrd was formed in Jacksonville in the 1960s, so it only made sense that during his show at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena while out on his Backroad Baptism tour, Jelly Roll would surprise the crowd with an appearance from the members of their iconic hometown band.
Jelly Roll introduced Skynyrd to the crowd, despite the fact that they need no introduction:
“I don’t know if you know it or not, but the greatest rock ‘n roll band in the history of music came from Jacksonville, Florida. I don’t think they’re the greatest southern rock band, I think they are the greatest rock band in the history of music. That’s what I believe as a man that grew up in the south.
So with incredible pride do I tell you, to join me for the next song right now is Mr. Rickey Medlock and Johnny Van Zant from the legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd.”
Van Zant and Medlocke then took the stage, with the legendary rockers having high praise for Jelly Roll:
“Before we get into this, I gotta say, we were talking backstage and I actually met him for the first time in November of last year and he hadn’t changed one damn bit. I’m telling you. He is great, he’s the real deal, we love ya Duval.”
The pair from Skynyrd then joined Jelly Roll as they performed a duet of one of the band’s biggest hits, “Simple Man.”
@saltlifekev @Jelly Roll #lynyrdskynyrd #jellyroll ♬ original sound – SaltLifeKev
But before they left the stage, Johnny and Rickey had a surprise for Jelly Roll too: A guitar of Gary Rossington’s, that his wife Dale and his children wanted to give to the country music superstar.
Jelly Roll was obviously in shock, breaking down in tears as he was handed the rock legend’s guitar, with Johnny wondering aloud:
“I wonder how many Lynyrd Skynyrd songs was written on that guitar right there.”
@cody_davis2013 Johnny VanZant and Rickey Medlocke of Lyndyrd Skynryd gifting @Jelly Roll one of Gary Rossington’s guitars in Jacksonville. An awesome moment to see live. #fyp #jellyroll #lynyrdskynyrd #backroadbaptism #jacksonville ♬ original sound – Cody
A pretty awesome piece of music history for one of country music’s biggest stars right now.