Not every Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band can boast having the blessing of important people in the Lynyrd Skynyrd realm.
Vyntyge Skynyrd, appearing at 52 Sumner in Springfield on Saturday, April 12, does.
“We have the blessing of Johnny Van Zant who is singing with the currently touring Lynyrd Skynyrd band. And we have the blessing of Artimus Pyle who played drums with the original band, as well as Gene Odom, their security manager and best friend of Ronnie Van Zant when growing up,” said Tom Rossi, pianist for Vyntyge Skynyrd, in an interview with The Republican.
“Gene absolutely loves us and flies up every once in a while, to help us sell merchandise at our shows. He tells us we are the closest he has ever heard to capturing the sound of the legendary band. And when you hear that from someone who was on the front lines with the band, it just gives you a jolt,” he added.
Founded in the summer of 1964 by teenagers Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns and Gary Rossington, the band would gain additional members before calling themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1969. Embodying the soul of Southern rock, the band would go on to sell over 28 million records scoring numerous hits including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Simple Man,” “Saturday Night Special” and others. The band disbanded after a tragic plane crash in 1977 killed Van Zant and member Steve Gaines, as well as seriously injured its other members.
Tribute band Vyntyge Skynyrd was founded in 2014 by the late Tommy Higgins, who passed away last November. Higgins stayed with the band only until 2016 due to a busy schedule of also serving as road manager for Aerosmith and Ringo Starr. He ultimately found time to form another band called Klassik ‘78, which achieved international attention with their “what if” approach of creating a lost album of the group KISS.
“Tommy was the mastermind behind Vyntyge Skynyrd of which two founding members of the group remain from the original lineup, which we like to jokingly tell people that we have more original members in the band than Lynyrd Skynyrd does today,” Rossi said about the reformed band in 1987 which continues to tour today with no founding members still alive.
Rossi never had the opportunity to ask Higgins why he founded the band.
“I think it had to be his appreciation for their music. But what I do know is that tribute bands at that time were starting to get a foothold on the market. They were dominating almost every venue you saw ad nauseam, and I think I can say that with a clear conscience given my circumstance. Tommy had a great business acumen. I think he saw a niche as the scene was churning up and was of the mindset that if he could get some guys together to faithfully play their music, then the band was going to blow some minds,” Rossi said.
In addition to original members Richie Sullaway on bass guitar and vocalist Dave Musgove, Vyntyge Skynyrd musicians include Kevin Meaney on guitars and vocals, Carl Johnson on guitars and vocals, Steven Michael Sorum on drums, and Rossi on piano.
Rossi noted band members “all have such a love for the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd.”
“But the best part is that we are six guys who can order a pizza together and get along on stage as well as off. Our families hang out together and enjoy barbecuing in the summer,” he said.
Tickets, available at 52sumner.com, range in price from $19 to $39.
Located at 52 Sumner Avenue in Springfield, doors will open at 7 p.m. with showtime scheduled for 8 p.m.
