Southern rock, popular music style combining blues jams and boogie licks with lyrics declaring fierce regional pride. Its aggressive, unpretentious sound helped revitalize American rock in the 1970s.
https://www.britannica.com/art/Southern-rock
Can I get a Hell Yeah?! 🙂
As the Britannica quote above notes, Southern Rock is influenced by the blues and boogie woogie. Depending on the band, other things, like jazz, will show up. (Looking at you, Dixie Dregs). Southern Rock, and I believe it was Skynyrd that started it, pioneered the multiple lead guitar attack, which was a thing for quite a while. It’s amazing when performed live-it’s some serious musicianship being demonstrated.
Southern Rock is alive and well, and being played with modern twists by new bands, such as Black Stone Cherry. It’s also influencing current music. Listen to Kid Rock or Uncle Kracker and you’ll hear it, picked up in large and small ways. The only times I ever watched American Idol was when Bo Bice was singing. Seeing Freebird on national TV was a hoot. He does a pretty good Sweet Home Alabama, too. Other groups, such as Shinedown and Metallica, have covered various Southern Rock standards.
I feel sort of overly fortunate to have been a teenager in the 70s and therefore having lived through the heyday of Southern Rock. I saw Charlie Daniels more times that I can remember. With him being from North Carolina, he was around a lot. One particularly memorable concert was Christmas, 1978. I saw him at the old Carolina Ice Arena In Greensboro, NC. Molly Hatchet fronted the show. The place was packed and beer was served. It was rowdy and loud and fun. It’s the first place I had a strange woman pinch my butt. 🙂
I was also able to see the Marshall Tucker Band, .38 Special and the Dixie Dregs. I’m gratified that these guys are still out there and still kicking it, 40 years on. I’m trying to see as many shows as I can while I can, and all of these bands are on the list. I unfortunately missed Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Outlaws and the Allman Brothers. I’ve got the music, but that isn’t the same as seeing them live. To any younger folks out there who happen by-never miss a chance to see a band you like in person. Find the money, find a ride and go make that memory.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, the earworms beckon.
