Out today (October 13) is “Fyfty,” a new box set compilation spanning Lynyrd Skynyrd's career over 50 tracks to celebrate this year's — you guessed it — 50th anniversary of the fans' first album. The collection is housed in a 12×12 vinyl album-sized format and features a number of unreleased tracks, including alternative live versions of several songs, including “Free Bird,” from the 1976 stand at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta that was recorded for the group's 1976 live album “One More From the Road.” It also features a rendition of “Gimme Three Steps” from last November 13 at the Ryman Theater in Nashville, which was co-founder Gary Rossington's last performance with the band before his death this past March 5 at the age of 71.
Johnny Van Zant, younger brother of the late Skynyrd co-founder Ronnie Van Zant and frontman since 1987, tells us that he's happy “Fyfty” looks at Skynyrd's entire career, including the eight studio albums the group's released since he joined:
“I think it's a long story. I think it's a generation story of music that has carried on for generations. I mean, that's a big accomplishment any time you hit 50. I think in general in age, when a person hits 50 they go, 'Wow, what a milestone.' For Skynyrd music to be around that long is really a milestone and a testament of the time of the music that, again, has been generational.” :32 OC: has been generational
“Fifty” features a deluxe 40-page booklet featuring previously unseen photos and liner notes by longtime band friend Cameron Crowe and Pulse of Radio's own Gary Graff. A limited edition deluxe edition comes with a signed lithograph.
Skynyrd's most recent album, “Last of a Dyin' Breed,” came out during 2012. The group released a standalone single, “Last of the Street Survivors,” in 2020 that's included on “Fyfty.”
The group toured during the summer with ZZ Top on the Sharp Dressed Simple Man Tour. It currently has no dates on the books but is planning to be on the road during 2024.
