The Top 5 Best-Selling Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums Until 2023

The Top 5 Best-Selling Lynyrd Skynyrd Albums Until 2023

Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band that has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Their unique blend of southern rock and blues has inspired generations of fans and musicians alike. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best-selling Lynyrd Skynyrd albums, which have helped cement their place in rock history.

The band was officially formed in 1964 and comprised Ronnie Van Zant on lead vocals, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins on guitars, Larry Junstrom on bass guitars and Bob Burns on drums. From their first day until they took a hiatus following a tragic plane crash in 1977, the band had five albums in total. While their debut album was (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), their latest album during that period was Street Survivors.

In 1987, the band decided to reunite to make new music for its fans. Released in 1991, Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 was the first album that the band released. They then brought eight more studio albums until now, releasing its most recent album, Last of a Dyin’ Breed, eleven years ago in 2012.

From the iconic hits on Skynyrd’s Innyrds to the bluesy rock of Street Survivors, these albums showcase the band’s undeniable talent and lasting impact. So let’s learn which album is the best-selling Lynyrd Skynyrd album of all time.

The Best-Selling lynyrd skynyrd albums until 2023

As of March 2023, Lynyrd Skynyrd has sold over 28 million albums worldwide, with 27 million coming from the United States alone. However, let’s look at the best-selling Lynyrd Skynyrd list.

#5. Street Survivors – 2.1 Million

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s fifth studio album “Street Survivors” was released on October 17, 1977, just three days before a tragic plane crash that killed several members of the band, including lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup vocalist Cassie Gaines, and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick. The album cover, which depicted the band members standing in front of flames, caused controversy and was changed after the plane crash.

Despite the tragedy, Street Survivors remains a testament to Lynyrd Skynyrd‘s enduring legacy and features some of the band’s most memorable songs. The album was produced by Tom Dowd, who had also worked with the Allman Brothers Band and Eric Clapton, and recorded at Criteria Studios in Miami, Florida.

image: Getty

The album opens with What’s Your Name, a catchy rock anthem that showcases Van Zant’s powerful vocals and the band’s signature guitar riffs. Other standout tracks include That Smell, a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug abuse, and You Got That Right, a bluesy rock song that features Steve Gaines on lead vocals.

Street Survivors reached number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart at the time. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album was the last album to feature the original lineup of Lynyrd Skynyrd before the tragic plane crash. It remains a beloved album among fans and a testament to the band’s enduring legacy in the world of rock music.

In the past, Gary Rossington revealed what made things hard during the releasing process of the album, saying, “We weren’t really in limbo, we just didn’t have any material written. We’d write a song in the morning and record it in the afternoon, which wasn’t ideal. Ed departing the way he did, that also made things really hard for us, because it changed the sound from a three-guitar band to a two-guitar.”

However, the band has sold 2.1 million copies of Street Survivors, which means it is the band’s fifth best-selling album.

#4. Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd – 2.2 million

 

Released in 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, helped establish the band as one of the premier southern rock bands of the 1970s and remains a fan favorite to this day. The album showcases the band’s unique sound and musical prowess, and its impact can still be felt in the world of rock music.

The album features some of the band’s most iconic songs, including Free Bird, a soulful ballad that showcases the band’s virtuoso guitar work, and Tuesday’s Gone, a beautiful and melancholic song about lost love. Other standout tracks include Gimme Three Steps, a catchy rock anthem about a barroom brawl, and Simple Man, a moving tribute to the advice given to Van Zant by his mother.

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd, 1988 – image: GPN

In the past, the late Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington recalled how the record label begged the band not to include the song on their debut album.

“Everybody told us that we were crazy to put the song on our first album because it was too long,” Rossington told Guitar World. “Our record company begged us not to include it. And when it first came out, they did all kinds of awful edits until it got big enough that it didn’t matter anymore. It humbles us to think that it’s been played so much – and it’s still played. But it’s not magic – it’s still just a song to us.”

As of March 2023, the band has sold over 2.2 million of its debut album.

#3. Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gold & Platinum – 3.1 million

 

The compilation album of the band, Gold & Platinum, released in 1979, includes many of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most iconic songs, including Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird, and Gimme Three Steps. The album also features Saturday Night Special, a hard-rocking song about gun control, and That Smell, a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug abuse.

Having over 41 minutes of listening time, the album was certified 3x Platinum by the RIAA. It also received highly positive reviews from music critics.

The band has sold 3.1 million copies of the album as of March 2023, which means it is its third best-selling album.

#2. One More From The road – 3.4 million

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s One More from the Road is a live album that was recorded during the band’s 1976 tour in support of their fourth studio album, Gimme Back My Bullets. It was released on September 13, 1976, and is widely regarded as one of the best live albums of all time.

The album features electrifying performances of some of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s most popular songs, including Sweet Home Alabama, Gimme Three Steps, and Free Bird. One More from the Road also includes covers of Jimmie Rodgers’ T for Texas and J.J. Cale’s Call Me the Breeze, both of which are performed with the band’s signature southern rock style.

Lynyrd Skynyrd band
image: Len DeLessio / Getty Images

Moreover, the live album captures the energy and excitement of a Lynyrd Skynyrd live performance, with blistering guitar solos and Ronnie Van Zant’s powerful vocals. The album’s production values are excellent, with the sound quality and mix showcasing the band’s musicianship to its fullest.

As of March 2023, the band has sold 3.4 million copies of its live album. The album is the second best-selling album.

#1. Skynyrd’s Innyrds: Their Greatest Hits – 5.2 million

 

So, let’s learn about the best-selling Lynyrd Skynyrd album. Lynyrd Skynyrd has sold over 5.2 million copies of its Skynyrd’s Innyrds: Their Greatest Hits compilation album. It means the band Skynyrd’s Innyrds: Their Greatest Hits album is the best-selling of all time.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Skynyrd’s Innyrds: Their Greatest Hits is a compilation album that was released in 1989. The album is an essential album for any Lynyrd Skynyrd fan or fan of classic rock. It showcases Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature southern rock sound and Ronnie Van Zant’s gigantic vocals. It’s a compilation of some of the band’s best work and serves as a testament to their lasting impact on the world of rock music.

Lynyrd Skynyrd present
Lynyrd Skynyrd band members – image: Getty

The compilation album was a commercial success for the band. It reached #9 on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified 5x Platinum by the RIAA. It remains one of the band’s most popular releases and a staple on classic rock radio.

Here’s the track listing:

  • “Sweet Home Alabama”
  • “I Ain’t the One”
  • “Gimme Three Steps
  • “Double Trouble (Outtake Version)”
  • “Free Bird (Extended Recording)”
  • “Truck Drivin’ Man”
  • “Saturday Night Special”
  • “What’s Your Name?”
  • “That Smell”
  • “Don’t Ask Me No Questions”
  • “Call Me the Breeze”
  • “Swamp Music
  • “Workin’ for MCA”

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