Concert Review
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Jamey Johnson
Charlie Daniels Band
Marshall Tucker Band
Darien Lake Amphitheater
Darien Center, NY
Friday July 13, 2018
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour rolled into the Darien Lake Amphitheater this past Friday. If this is how Lynyrd Skynyrd wants to be remembered by as going out on a high note, they sure left no stone unturned. Led by co-founder and sole remaining original member, guitarist Gary Rossington, the band delivered an extra special high-energy rock and roll show southern style as only they do. Joining them with some great music of their own were the Marshall Tucker Band, The Charlie Daniels Band and Jamey Johnson. It must be mentioned that even at the tender age of 81, Charlie Daniels gave one heck of a performance.
Lynyrd Skynyrd took the Darien stage as what appears was the final time, they wasted no time playing one classic after another as they started off with “Workin’ For MCA”. The band wasn’t about to leave out any traditional classics such as “The Ballad of Curtis Loew” or “Tuesday’s Gone”. Southern rock does not get any better than this.
Vocalist Johnny Van Zant has been handling that chore since 1987, making him the second longest tenured member. He had the hardest job in the world stepping in for his late brother Ronnie. After analyzing the situation its plain to see he has clearly done a fantastic job helping to keep the Skynyrd Legacy alive. It seems he does not deserve as nearly as much credit as he should.
The guitar attack was led by Rossington and also included Rickey Medlocke and Mark Matejka. Rounding out the band were bassist Keith Christopher, Peter Keys on Keys and former Damn Yankee, Michael Cartellone on drums. Meanwhile Dale Krantz-Rossington and Carol Chase handled the backing vocals.
This was one show that you did not have to predict. The two big songs closed out the night as “Sweet Home Alabama” closed the main set and the band came back with it’s masterpiece and most requested live song “Free Bird” for the encore.
Skynyrd has quite the history having played the Buffalo area many times over the years. They even played the old Century Theater a few times. The band also played Rich Stadium twice including a headline show a few months before the tragedy in 1977. The band also played numerous, memorable shows at Artpark over the years but the venue they played the most was the Darien Lake PAC. It was only fitting for the band to end it all out in Darien Center.
While it is true that the music of Skynyrd has touched so many with all these great songs, when the band was first resurrected back in 1987, it was met with much criticism. Even after more members passed on or left, the band were able to keep moving forward and added integral personnel that were able to elevate the band to where it is today. Try not to think of this as a farewell but as a celebration of one of America’s best-loved bands.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Jamey Johnson
Charlie Daniels Band
Marshall Tucker Band
Set List
Workin’ for MCA
Skynyrd Nation
What’s Your Name
Travelin’ Man
That Smell
I Know a Little
Whiskey Rock-a-Roller
Saturday Night Special
The Ballad of Curtis Loew
Tuesday’s Gone
Don’t Ask Me No Questions
Simple Man
Gimme Three Steps
Call Me the Breeze
Sweet Home Alabama
Encore
Free Bird
