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It happens at nearly every rock show. During a lull, while the band's in between tunes, someone in the audience requests Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird." It's meant as a joke, but it's never really funny. So how did the unfortunate tradition begin? The Wall Street Journal ran a great article on the topic back in 2005. According to author Jason Fry, there are several possible explanations. The first has to do with a live album Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded in 1976 called "One More From the Road." On the album, singer Ronnie Van Zant asks the crowd what
they want to hear next. They respond with "a deafening call for 'Freebird,' and Skynyrd obliges with a 14-minute rendition." Another theory involves Chicago DJ Kevin Matthews. Mr. Matthews claims he started the "Free Bird" phenomenon when he implored his listeners to yell "Free Bird!" at a Florence Henderson concert. Matthews says "his request was heeded," and he then took it upon himself to inspire his listeners to continue the tradition at other suitable (i.e., lame) concerts. There are other possibilities, too. Alt-rock snobs may have started screaming "Free Bird!" in a bit of ironic posturing. Or maybe "Free Bird!" was originally screamed with sincerity by classic rock fans.
Whatever the explanation, the joke is now a cliché, and clichés never die. So here's another cliché -- if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. "Free Bird!"
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