Lynrd Skynrd's ARTIMUS PYLE on Music, the Crash and keeping Ronnie Van Zant's Legacy Alive

This week we feature an incredible story told by Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash survivor and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Artemis Pyle. Artemis was the drummer for the famed Southern Rock Band. He appeared on four of the original six albums recorded with frontman and founder Ronnie Van Zant before the band's plane went down and crashed on the way to a gig in 1977. You probably recall the tragedy; it made news right around the world as three of the band members and several other passengers were killed that day. Artemis managed to crawl out of the wreckage to get help and his tale of survival is nothing short of chilling Artemis discusses circumstances that led up to the plane crash as well as the moment of impact and what came next. He also tells us about his recently released movie, Street Survivors – The True Story of the Lynrd Skynrd Plane Crash which recreates the story. During our interview Artemis talks about how he got started in the band, how he secured the reputation as the wild man in the group and what it was like playing in front of sold-out crowds around the world. He tells me why he believes the music still holds such appeal and about his ongoing work to honour Steve Van Zant's musical legacy today. It's a fascinating story from a courageous and charismatic man. About the band:  Lynyrd Skynyrd is the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious Southern image and a hard rock swagger. Skynyrd never relied on the jazzy improvisations of the Allman Brothers. Instead, they were a hard-living, hard-driving rock & roll band. They may have jammed endlessly on-stage, but their music remained firmly entrenched in blues, rock, and country. Throughout the band's early records, frontman ROnnie Van Zant demonstrated a knack for lyrical detail and a down-to-earth honesty. During the height of Skynyrd's popularity in the mid-'70s, they adopted a more muscular and gritty blues-rock sound that yielded the classic rock standards "Sweet Home Alabama," "Simple Man," "What's Your Name," "That Smell," "Gimme Three Steps," and "Free Bird." The group ceased operations after the plane crash in 1977. The band re-formed a decade later with Ronnie's younger sibling Johnny Van Zant on vocals, and guitarist and co-founder Gary Rossington. In 2018, after decades of performing and recording, the band embarked on a farewell tour.  Today Artimus Pyle tours with his own band The Artimus Pyle Band to preserve the legacy of Ronnie Van Zant and Lynrd Skynrd. To learn more about Artimus head for his website https://artimuspyleband.com/home/ For more on Lynrd Skynrd today https://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/ Don't forget if you'd like to request someone you'd like to hear interviewed, just send me a message through my website https://www.abreathoffreshair.com.au I hope you enjoy this episode.