Southern Fried Rock: Where Are These ’70s Southern Rockers Today?
The country-tinged hard rock sound known as Southern rock flourished in the ’70s. First popularized by the Allman Brothers Band, the groove-heavy music — which fused country, rock, blues, and folk — brought a heavy dose of Americana to US rock charts.
Though the Allman Brothers Band called it quits in 2014 (a break-up that the deaths of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts made permanent), many other Southern rock bands are still out there, touring and releasing albums — though their lineups may look a little different than you remember.
Outlaws
Freddie Salem, former guitarist for ’70s Southern rockers the Outlaws, has died at age 70. “It’s with a heavy heart that we have to tell Outlaws fans about the passing of our former guitarist Freddie Salem. Freddie passed from complications due to cancer and will be remembered for his outgoing personality and passion for music,” the band noted on their Facebook page. “He first appeared with the Outlaws on the album Playin’ to Win and then remained in the band for the following 4 albums. He was an electric performer and beloved musician and he will be missed.”
Famous for their hits “There Goes Another Love Song” and “Green Grass and High Tides,” as well as their cover of “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” Outlaws formed in 1967 in Tampa, Florida. After early tours with mentors Lynyrd Skynyrd, Skynyrd singer Ronnie Van Zant helped the band secure a record deal. Their 1975 self-titled debut hit the Billboard top 20.
Though Henry Paul is the only current member who was part of the band’s classic 1970s lineup, and original members Hughie Thomasson and Billy Jones have passed, the band is currently on tour through February 2025, playing some dates with Lynyrd Skynyrd and ZZ Top, and others with John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Considered among the founding fathers of Southern rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd first performed under that name in 1968. They released their double platinum debut album, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd), in 1973, which included the iconic hits “Free Bird,” “Tuesday’s Gone” and “Simple Man.” Their double-platinum second album, Second Helping, which included “Sweet Home Alabama,” was released the following year. A 1977 plane crash killed singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, backup singer Cassie Gaines, the band’s manager, and the plane’s pilot and co-pilot. The rest of the band was seriously injured, and Skynyrd went on hiatus, reforming in 1987 with Van Zant’s brother, Johnny, on vocals.
A version of Skynyrd headed by Johnny Van Zant that includes no original members continues to tour, and released the album Last of a Dyin’ Breed in 2012. The current iteration also includes Blackfoot guitarist and early Skynyrd member Rickey Medlocke, and former Damn Yankees drummer Michael Cartellone. The band is currently on tour through early October.
ZZ Top
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The men with the beards first joined forces in 1969 in Houston, Texas, and released their debut album in 1971. But ZZ Top broke through with 1973’s Tres Hombres, which included their first top 40 hit, “La Grange” — still a signature number. 1975’s combination live/ studio album Fandango! produced the band’s second major hit, “Tush.” After a few quieter years, they released 1983’s diamond-selling Eliminator, which made the band MTV stars with massive singles like “Legs,” Gimme All Your Lovin'” and “Sharp Dressed Man.” They’ve continued touring and recording, with their most recent album, La Futura, hitting shelves in 2012.
Unlike most other bands with 50+ year careers, ZZ Top founders singer-guitarist Billy Gibbons, drummer Frank Beard, and singer-bassist Dusty Hill remained in the band as part of a consistent lineup until Hill’s death in 2021. Hill was replaced live by the band’s longtime guitar tech, Elwood Francis — part of Hill’s final wishes for the band. ZZ Top are currently on a tour that will take them through many spots on the West coast and Midwest through November 2024.
Mountain
The songsmiths behind “Mississippi Queen” were actually from … Long Island?? These purveyors of heavy ’70s boogie rock formed in 1969; their third gig as a band was performing at Woodstock. The band broke up in 1974, and reunited in 1981, with a new lineup anchored by original singer Leslie West. The band again broke up in 1985, and reunited in 1992, periodically performing and releasing new albums until West’s death in 2020.
Molly Hatchet
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Founded in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971, Molly Hatchet released their self-titled debut in 1978; their follow-up album, 1979’s Flirtin’ With Disaster, made the Billboard top 20. After multiple lineup changes, the band announced their break-up from the stage at a concert in Toledo, Ohio, in 1990, before reforming later in the year, with a lineup that changed from year to year. As of 2024, all original members of Molly Hatchet have passed away, but the band still performs, and is currently on a US tour that runs through November 2024, with additional scattered tour dates scheduled through mid-2025.
Black Oak Arkansas
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Black Oak Arkansas formed in 1963, in the town of (you guessed it!) Black Oak, Arkansas. The band released their self-titled debut in 1971, and have carried on in some permutation ever since, sometimes just calling themselves Black Oak. Singer Jim “Dandy” Mangrum has performed with almost every iteration of the band, and remains the sole original member with the band today. The band released the album Underdog Heroes in 2019, their first in 30 years to feature all new recordings.
Blackfoot
Jacksonville, Florida’s Blackfoot named their band after the Native American heritage shared by many of the original members. After forming in 1969, they briefly disbanded so that singer/ guitarist Rickey Medlocke and bass player Greg T. Walker could join Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1971-2. After regrouping and dealing with multiple members’ health issues, the band released their debut album, No Reservations, in 1975. Their third album, 1979’s Strikes, was their biggest hit, and included the top 40 singles “Highway Song” and “Train Train.” The band saw numerous lineup changes in the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s, and no original members remain, though Medlocke does occasionally appear live with the band. Medlocke rejoined Skynyrd in 1996, and tours with the band to this day.
70s Pop Idols
May 2019
The biggest and best from the worlds of rock and disco!
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