10 Hard Rock & Metal Bands With No Original Members Left

As the new era of rock began, it became abundantly clear that the American South had something to say. With the arrival of the Allman Brothers on the scene and the Eagles taking on a country tinge to their sound, it was only a matter of time before we got a Southern act that was proud of their heritage. Once Lynyrd Skynyrd arrived, we finally got the Southern-fried goodness we were looking for.

Formed by Ronnie Van Zandt in the early '70s, most of the band's beginnings were formed with the help of guitarists Ed King, pianist Billy Powell, and drummer Artimus Pyle. As time went on though, the lineup kept getting bigger and bigger, with no less than 9 people working on stage whenever they took to the road to support albums like Second Helping and Street Survivors. However, the biggest casualty came when a devastating plane crash killed Van Zandt, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines.

Though the surviving lineup reassembled with Ronnie's little brother Johnny out front, it's clear that this is a much different outfit than the one we got to know earlier. Even as the years go by, much of the core lineup has faded away, with Powell passing away along with bassist Leon Wilkinson. As Ricky Medlocke from Blackfoot fills out the lineup on guitar, Gary Rossington may be the closest one from the early days that Skynyrd actually has left to a 'classic' member.