The iconic Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd will stop touring, according to vocalist Johnny Van Zant.
“We’re still looking at hanging it up in the next year or so,” reported Van Zant to the Florida Times-Union. “We’re going to retire from touring.”
The Last of the Street Survivors Farewell tour, which was planned to last for two to three years, was first announced by Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2018. The epidemic, however, significantly changed such preparations. The band only performed at two venues in 2020, but they made a comeback in 2021 with the Big Wheels Keep on Turnin’ tour, which has been going on all year. Currently, the band has shows scheduled through early October, and a special event has been planned for February 2023.
Van Zant implied that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s touring days are numbered even though he did not provide a specific time frame. One of the factors for retiring is the declining health of guitarist Gary Rossington, the last surviving founder member of the group.
“Gary is doing better,” Van Zant admitted. “He said he is getting a lot more energy from this new medicine. He’s come out and played two or three shows with us. As far as playing a whole set, I don’t know. People think we don’t put out a lot of energy, but two hours is a lot of work. We told him to come out when he wants, save yourself.”
Van Zant emphasized that he will continue to be active in music despite of when Lynyrd Skynyrd performs their farewell concert.
“Musicians never retire, you just do less shows. You really miss it. You miss your fans. I’ll probably always do something. I think I could only mow so much grass and take out so much garbage and catch so many fish,” the singer revealed. “I’ve worked my whole life. It’s just in my nature to get out and do something. I love music and I’ve been blessed, but I can’t think of me turning my back. As long as I can write a song, I’m definitely doing that.”