Hear Van Zant’s Strong Rendition of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Red White and Blue’
Lynyrd Skynyrd and .38 Special brothers Johnny and Donnie Van Zant have released a live version of their aching ballad “Red White and Blue,” the title-track from their upcoming concert album.
“Red White and Blue” originally appeared on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 2003 LP Vicious Cycle and was penned by the Van Zants and another pair of rock brothers, Brad and Brett Warren. The live rendition comes with a lyric video and packs the original’s barebones power into its earnest lyrics and outrageous closing guitar solo.
“We really don’t know how to do anything else except sing about what we know, and try to tell the truth,” Johnny Van Zant told Ultimate Classic Rock. “I try to be as honest as possible, and I think people see that. We’re not trying to be anybody we’re not.”
Red White and Blue: Live arrives July 1st, but was recorded January 28th, 2006 during Johnny and Donnie’s only tour as Van Zant. The backing band features guitarist Eric Lundgren, keyboardist Bobby Capps, and steel guitarist Mark Muller.