European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 13, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                File Johnny Van Zant fourth from left and Lynyrd sky nerd 1991 Promise More of the same music during their tour. New Lynyrd Skyner Loyal to its roots by John Miliar Wurzburg Bureau vocalist Johnny Van Zant was t worried about having to fill the shoes of his brother Ronnie when he took the stage in Europe this week As Lead Singer of Lynyrd sky nerd 1991. Quot nobody can fill his shoes Quot Van Zant said of his brother who formed the Southern Rock band Lynyrd sky nerd in 1965 and led it to super stardom in the 1970s. Quot besides Ronnie did t Wear  named for the original band members Long hair hating High school gym teacher Leonard Skinner the band Lynyrd sky nerd hit the 70s music mainstream like a tidal wave. The group s nucleus of Ronnie Van Zant Allen Collins and Cary Rossington teamed up with bassist Leon Wilkeson keyboard player Billy Powell and drummer Robert bums to turn out a string of Southern Rock anthems like free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. Lynyrd sky nerd mixed Van Zant s lyrics about the common Man with the blazing but Bluesy guitars of Rossington and Collins to produce five smash albums by the end of 1976 while developing a reputation As a leading american stadium band. Van Zant became a Symbol of Southern Rock with his trademark Black hat and barefooted performances before Large Confederate Flag waving crowds. Bui Lynyrd sky nerd suddenly vanished on oct. 20, 1977, As the group headed out on a major american tour after the release of its Street survivors album. The band s chartered plane crashed in a wooded area near chill Surg miss. Killed were Van Zant guitarist Steve Cains backup vocalist Cassie Cains and Roadie Dean Kirkpatrick. Some fans believed Southern Rock also died in the crash. Band survivors attempted to carry on in the group s tradition by forming the Rossington Collins band in 1980. But it was t the same without the blon haired Black hatted Van Zant singing Barefoot on stage and the group disbanded in 1982 after releasing Only two albums. Meanwhile Johnny Van Zant had started his own musical career proving himself an accomplished Singer songwriter. And even though he performed music that was truly his own Johnny Van Zant s soulful vocals proved to be hauntingly similar to his brother s. It was with reluctance that the younger Van Zant took the stage with Farmer Lynyrd sky nerd members in 1987 and 88 for what was to be a series of tribute concerts. Quot at first it was hard Quot Van Zant said about filling in on vocals that his brother once Sung. He also worried that people would think he was cashing in on his brother s name instead of honouring him. But the audiences proved him wrong. Quot we were so successful Quot Van Zant said about the tribute tour during a recent interview. Quot the audiences were just happening they just loved it. I mean How can you walk away from something like that Quot Van Zant speaking by Telephone from Florida before leaving on the european tour said the band members took their time after the tribute tour to figure out if they could write new material together. That time resulted in the release late last year of a self titled album by the new band Lynyrd sky nerd 1991, the new band consists of Van Zant on vocals and original members Rossington Wilkeson and Powell. De King who played with Early versions of the band and Randall Hall add two More guitars. Providing Drums and percussion is Artimus Pyle who started playing with the band in the mid 7 a and a percussionist known Only As Custer. Van Zant said the band s new material Sticks with its traditional Southern roots. Quot that s what we gotta do if we want to be True to the music to Lynyrd sky nerd Quot he said. Quot with this band you can t go  he then added Quot yeah we re going to do a couple of Milli Vanilli songs Quot before bursting out in laughter. Quot i think you can bring any song out of the pan and it la be a Lynyrd sky nerd song Quot Van Zant said. Quot but basically we want to stay True to the music to whatever Lynyrd sky nerd was All  the band which began its Lour in London on monday before moving on to Germany plans to play a mix of new material and old standards. Quot we re looking to bust Loose Quot he said about the band s first appearance in Europe since 1976. Fans can expect a band that s As Rowdy albeit a Little older and Wiser As the one they came to know in the 1970s. Van Zant said the image of Lynyrd sky nerd is Quot always going to be the same to a certain Point but i guess we be grown up do things with moderation. Nobody is 1 7 and super Skinny in the  despite the band s Triumph Over tragedy the current Lynyrd sky nerd has not lost sight of its roots Van Zant said. Quot i Don t know if it will Ever be How it was but we re Here to carry it on. This is real. Thai s Why country music is big now it s real. I think people Are sick of the Glamour and Glitz and they want something that s  and even though the members of Lynyrd sky nerd 1991 could be considered living Rock legends Van Zant said Quot i think we All Cut our Yards and take out the trash. We re the same Down Home people. I think you can Tell that by the music  Van Zant said he expects the band a and its music a to be around for a while longer. I think As Long As people want to hear it As Long As there s a demand for it and we feel Good about it Well be  Lynyrd sky nerd 1991�?Ts tour of Europe continues through feb 24. For times and venues Check the on stage listing on pages 14-15pop a singles 1 i m too sexy right said Fred 2 i love your Milf shame 3 diamonds and pearls Prince new Power generation 4 Don t let the Sun go Down on me George Michael Elton John 5 to be with you or big 6 All 4 love a color me add 7 Tell me what you want me to do Teying Campbell 8 remember the time Michael Jackson s smells like teen spirit nirvana 10 can t let go a Macajah care top a albums 1 Robin the wind a Garth Brooks 2 never mind a nirvana 3 no fences a Garth Brooks 4 dangerous Michael Jackson 5  boy ii men 6 c m b color me add 7 too legit to quit a Hammer 6 time. Love and tenderness Michael Bolton 9 Achung baby u2 it Metallica  a singles 1 what she s doing now Garth Brooks 2 better class of losers Randy Travis 3 maybe it was Memphis Pam Tillis 4. The whiskey Ain two Kin Travis Tritt 5 a Jukebox with a country song Doug Stone 6. Tuhn that radio on a Ronnie Milsap 7 the dirt Road a Sawyer Brown 8 is it cold in Here Joe Diffie 9 mama Don t forget to Phay for me a Diamond Rio 10 straight tequila night John Anderson amp by singles 1 stay a Jodeci 2. Cant let go a Mariah Carey 3. Huh Ash a Boyz ii men 4 baby hold on to me Gerald Leverl 5 the Way i feel about you Karen while 6. Keep it comin a Keith Seal 7. These three words Stevie wonder 8. Sreakin1 my heart mint condition 5 got that vibe a r Kelly and Public announcement 10 i want you Jody Watley jazz a albums 1. Blue Light red Light Harry Connick or. 2. The Gershwin connection Dave Grusin 3. You gotta pay the band Abbey Lincoln 4. Uve at Birdland Gerald Albright 5. Dingo a Miles Davis 6. The Earl Klugh Trio volume 1 Earl Klugh Trio 7. The cure a Keith Jarrett Trio 8. The Beautiful ones Are not yet born a Branford Marsalis 9. Unforgettable a Natalie Cole 10. Kenny Kirkland Kenny Kirkland a compiled by billboard 10 stripes Magazine february , 1992