Maps of Music
Last of a Dyin' Breed (2012)
Where the lyrics of Last of a Dyin' Breed take you, and where it was really made.
The title track came from the band's own feeling that they were one of the endangered species of bands, as most 1970s Southern rock acts had disbanded or faded.
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Tell us the placeAlbum story
Overview
- Last of a Dyin' Breed: 14th studio album by American Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Announced May 2, 2012, for release August 21, 2012, and September 17 in the UK
- First single made available to purchase via iTunes on July 9, 2012
- First Lynyrd Skynyrd album with Peter Keys on keyboards
- Johnny Colt credited on bass but does not appear on the tracks
- Guest guitarist John 5 features on the album
- Final album with guitarist Gary Rossington, who died in 2023
Background
- Bob Marlette returned as producer after God & Guns (2009)
- John 5 had guested on God & Guns and also took part in producing this album
- Rossington said the title track reflected the band's feeling of being one of the endangered species of bands
- Most 1970s Southern rock bands had disbanded or faded from public memory after their members died
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Artist
Formation
- Formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964 as My Backyard, with Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums).
- Adopted the name Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1968, partly as a mocking tribute to P.E. teacher Leonard Skinner.
- Debut album (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) released in 1973, produced by Al Kooper.
Members
- Core lineup in 1973: Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Leon Wilkeson (bass), Billy Powell (keyboards), and Ed King (guitar).
- Burns was replaced by Artimus Pyle in 1974; King was replaced by Steve Gaines in 1976.
Career
- Popularized Southern rock with "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird".
- Career halted on October 20, 1977, when their chartered plane crashed, killing Van Zant, Gaines, and Cassie Gaines.
- Reunited in 1987 with Johnny Van Zant as lead vocalist and continued touring for decades.
- Gary Rossington, the last founding member, died in March 2023.
- Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006; Rolling Stone ranked them No. 95 among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time in 2004.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Reception
At release
- Announced May 2, 2012, for release August 21, 2012
- UK release set for September 17
- Released August 21, 2012 on Roadrunner Records (French Wikipedia)
- Lead single went on sale through iTunes on July 9, 2012
Records
- Peaked at No. 14 on the U.S. Billboard pop charts
- Highest-charting studio album since 1977's Street Survivors, surpassing God & Guns (2009)
- Billboard 200 peak at 14th and Top Rock Albums peak at 3rd in the United States (French Wikipedia)
- Brought the band back to a higher chart position than its previous studio album
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · fr.wikipedia.org
Trivia
- Johnny Colt is credited on the album but does not appear on the tracks
- Peter Keys brought keyboards to the band for the first time on this album
- The title track reflected the band's feeling that they were one of the endangered species of bands
- Gary Rossington's last album with the band before his death in 2023
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com