Veteran Classic Rockers Along With Black Stone Cherry Blow the Roof Off Enmarket Arena

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

With a combined musical legacy that exceeds 100 years, two of rock n' roll's most durable bands rocked Savannah Friday (March 8th) night. Southern rock and Texas boogie were on full display as Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top brought their 'Sharp Dressed Simple Man' tour before a near sellout crowd at the Enmarket Arena, unleashing two dozen plus classic rock radio staples. With support from alternative hard rockers Black Stone Cherry, concert goers were enthralled for nearly three and a half hours. 

Allowed close to 40 minutes to warm up the crowd, Black Stone Cherry blew the roof off the arena, offering up 'Again' from their 2020 release 'The Human Condition', as well as a couple tracks from their eighth album 2023's 'Screamin' at the Sky'. Since debuting in 2005, the grunge rockers out of Kentucky have been a favorite among veteran rock bands as an opening act, drawing on several genres of musical stylings. 

With Enmarket Arena well primed, throw-back images being displayed on the big screen, and their intro provided by ACDC's 'Thunderstruck' Lynyrd Skynyrd roared unto the stage with thunderous applause, going head strong in 'Workin' For MCA' off the bands appropriately titled second album 'Second Helping' (1974). 'Skynyrd Nation' off 2009's 'God & Guns' was well received in the pro-America, blue collar crowd.

It was a non-stop hit parade from there on out with familiar tracks such as 'What's Your Name', 'That Smell', and 'I Know a Little'. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant engaged the crowd between numbers recalling the bands five decade run, thanking Savannah for being one of their favorite tour stops. Johnny took time to educate diehard fans on Skynyrd's newest whiskey 'Hell House', named for the run down shack the boys rehearsed in during the early 1970's. He capped it off with a shot!

No doubt 'Saturday Night Special' got patriots and NRA supporters on their feet. 'Curtis Blow' proved the boys have their feet well entrenched in the blues. After offering up several shout outs to band and family members, Johnny saluted all those who serve or have served in our armed forces, which drew a heartfelt applause.

It was a nice lead into 'Tuesday's Gone', Skynyrd's tribute to Gary Rossington, the band's last founding member who passed just over a year ago. Another oft forgotten number 'Gimme Back My Bullets' was well received and set the tone for the final stretch of familiar numbers including 'Simple Kind of Man', 'Gimme Three Steps', and 'Call Me the Breeze' with 9000 plus fans singing every familiar chorus.

Johnny along with longtime guitarist Rickey Medlocke said it was time as the familiar chords to 'Sweet Home Alabama' resonated throughout Enmarket Arena, bringing the last of those sitting in their seats to their feet. It was a epic sing-along to one of rock's most requested singles.

It was only slightly over-shadowed by their signature closing number, with Johnny paying tribute to his brother Ronnie and fellow band members that have gone on to rock n' roll heaven. With a full screen backdrop providing clips of Ronnie and technology allowing for Johnny to sing along with his late brother, the crowd were moved, during the 11 minute explosive guitar laden 'Free Bird'.

Lynyrd Skynyrd 2024 rocks just as bad-ass as their founding members did 50 years ago. Skynyrd know the audience, and their show in Savannah proves the legacy of the band lives on and their fan base continues to grow.

Not to be outdone, concert goers were just further primed for 90 minutes of classics from the ZZ Top arsenal of songs, leading off with the MTV favorite 'Gimme All Your Lovin' followed by the tried and true number 'I'm Nationwide', that proves lead singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons and drummer Frank Beard have played everywhere.

'Pearl Necklace' is an innuendo favorite with both the ladies and the guys. Billy cut up a few times between songs, talking about having Jeff Beck's guitar at his disposal. Proving ZZ Top can hone into their bluesy side, Billy joked about not knowing how to play '16 Tons' before the trio ripped into a raw version of the 1940's coal mining song, made popular by Tennessee Ernie Ford in 1955. 

The boys were on a roll with the crowd eating up every notable number. Since the passing of bass player Dusty Hill in 2021, longtime guitar tech Elwood Francis has filled his shoes nicely sporting a long beard, with he and Billy executing rhythmically on stage, often spinning fur covered axes.

'Sharp Dressed Man' and 'She's Got Legs' further cemented the Texas based band into the MTV generation allowing concert goers to sing along. The power trio closed out their set with longer versions of the double entendre 'Tube Snake Boogie', closing out the night with a salute to Dusty on the hard driving, blues laced 'La Grange'.

Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top are two of the most iconic and hard working bands to ever emerge from the glory days of rock n' roll. Out on their 'Sharp Dressed Simple Man' tour these two powerhouses play well off each other and provide longtime fans a soundtrack to the 1970's and 80's.

With Black Stone Cherry opening on this leg of the tour, in your face, true blue rock n' roll lovers are in for one hell of a night. I urge fans to check this triple threat out as the cross the country, rocking well into September with varied concert dates. For more visit https://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/#tour