this song live at the oakland coliseum will just make you love the song even more! seeing the band perform it is so much fun :)

I have seen this song described as "pushing a cart up a steep hill, then getting in at the top and flying down the other side". Pretty accurate description, actually. DEFINITELY watch the live version from Oakland Coliseum 1977.

Every time I see someone "new" reacting to "Free Bird," I always wait for their reaction to how it changes up at the end! They freak out every time! ❤

Yep, listen to it again and again, and do yourself a favor and watch the live video from the Oakland Coliseum. You’ll get the whole picture, from the crowd to the vibe to the passion of the guitar players. It’s a time capsule of a sunny summer day in the 1970s. Well done, as always. Peace from Ohio …

Aren't you at least a little upset that you've lived this long and have never heard this piece of legendary music?

It's like the first part is slowly winching you back on the catapult, then the lever is pulled, as you are launched at high speed into the sky like the Free Bird You Are. That's the way I pictured you, as you stopped the song a few times, like someone who was not aware they were about to be launched from a catapult. You did not disappoint. 👍

The ONLY thing wrong with this song is that the duel guitars solo is SO iconic that people just can’t wait for the first half of the song to be over so we can get to the end!

I don't think there's a universe where this recording doesn't become one of the most famous epic jams in rock music.

Knebworth Live 1976 is the one you need to watch ♥️♥️ That guitar solo is courtesy of the one & only Mr. Allen Collins otherwise known as “Leapin’ Larkin” Pure fire 🔥🎸

You need to see the 1977 live version from the Oakland Coliseum. One of the best videos that you will ever see . The studio one you played cannot even compare .

Live at Knebworth is the best live performance in my opinion, incredible energy!

You are about to be bombarded with requests to react to July 4th., Oakland Coliseum, this, live.... Trust me, your head will EXPLODE!!!! LOL Great reaction, welcome to the world that includes this rock anthem...

The man on the right Ed King was originally in the Strawberry Alarm Clock band in the 1960s

This gift to the world...precious. SalvoG's reaction...priceless. Facial expression at 9:52 belongs in the Reactor's Hall of Fame.

I'm sitting here both laughing and crying for joy watching you have the very same reaction I and millions of other had when we first heard this song. It starts out like a ballad then the tempo steps up and it eventually rips your face off. You need a nap after this one.

There are two lead guitars playing together. You must see the live version in England, It's just unbelievable.

Most lists of "Greatest Rock Songs" list this in the Top 3 along with Stairway to Heaven and Bohemian Rhapsody. It's no surprise that all 3 songs follow a similar formula of starting off slow and continuously building to the end.

The absolute best live version of this song is the Knebworth show in August 1976. Pure fire!

This is a break-up song with the beginning being about how sad he is on ending the relationship but then transitions into how he feels being a freebird. If you haven't seen the 77 Oakland Coliseum version of this do yourself a huge favor and watch it, the most electric live performances I've ever seen.

OUTLAWS green grass and high tides awesome guitar solos

I laughed out loud when you mentioned a bit over one minute in that you’d “like to see a nice middle section and maybe cool down a little at the end.. maybe a nice guitar solo…” Newbies never see this one coming and it’s GLORIOUS to watch when you do. 💜💜💜

When I was in the Army, we couldn't wait to get on that Freebird home, this song will always remind me of those days, and how being the first generation blessed to see these guys in their original lineup was more special than we knew at the time...enjoy your channel and your awesome reations...keep up the dive into the some of the greatest music in history...Rock ON!!

ALLEN COLLINS⚡️⚡️⚡️that lead has been giving me goosebumps -everytime I listen for past 50 years

Seeing this live in Oakland is something you never forget. Frampton was the headliner but we came to see Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The "EXTENDED JAM" w/ MULTIPLE LEAD GUITARS is a staple of classic southern rock! For another great example, from another great band, check out "GREEN GRASS AND HIGH TIDES" by the OUTLAWS...

Like everyone says - watch that live version. btw... You had me laughing. After hearing your comments during the slow part, I just kept watching your face and you did not disappoint. So glad you liked it!

LOL, I laughed my ass off when you stopped a minute or so in the beginning and said “ Maybe give us a little guitar solo towards the End”😂😂😂I thought “ Boy is he gonna be Surprised”😂😂😂👏🏻👍🏻🎸🎼❤

😆 LOL! I feel you! The guitarist just goes off! You can make a strong argument that this is possibly the best guitar solo ever! Great song...great reaction.

Thank you Lynyrd Skynyrd...especially Allen Collins for allowing me to hear you to throwing down so hard on this solo!!! This isn't just some local band playing in some local bar. Thanks again!! licks licks

"You can't hold me down, I've got to be free. This is me free." That is this song

There are several live versions available to view, and my friend, seeing them play this, is just on another level. You'll see. Thanks.

Loved seeing you react when the tempo increased the guitar just let loose and exploded! This is Rock n Roll at its best as played by the GOATs! Now you know why its one of the best songs of all times.

I loved the "Where have you been all my life" look on your face. Priceless . . .

I missed their concert in 1/76 but they came into the bar I was at and got up to play using the house band’s equipment. I danced to them playing Sweet Home Alabama. In 1987 when the tribute tour started I saw them in NY state.

Watch it live in Oakland California! It’s so awesome live. Nobody in the record industry thought this was a good record for the radio because it’s so long. LS demanded its release anyway! The record industry was so wrong! This is Southern Rock! I saw the reunion tour with Ronnie’s brother. They refused to sing this. Just performed the music and a spotlight on Ronnie’s hat on the microphone. It was still great! The guitars are the star of this song. Do Simple Man! ✌️

One of, if not THE finest example of Southern Rock songs.

You definitely need some more Southern Rock...Can't You See by The Marshall Tucker Band, Green Grass And High Tides Forever by The Outlaws, and Flirtin' With Disaster by Molly Hatchet would be a good start.

Loved your reaction to this one! I honestly don't know how this isn't the #1 solo. Now, it is important for you to watch the live version at Oakland. You will love it! ❤💯🎶🎸🎶🎸🎶

Rumor has it, he is still playing the guitar and hasn't left the stage since 1973 😂

Allen Collins played the main solo and Gary Rossington played the slide guitar intro.

In the 70's every local "pretty talented" rock band played Freebird at the bars and small clubs and it always got everybody jumpin and hollerin. One of my Top 10 bands and songs.

I got to see them in Atlanta, Live at the GA Tech Coliseum in 1974/75. This Song builds. The first part is him explaining to his lady that he has to go and why. It's softer at first because he's talking to her. The build and second half is where he leaves and soars higher & higher. The original band was magic.

For years afterwards this was an audience shout out to whatever band/performer/comedian/host (think Saturday Night Live) that was doing their thing. If there was a live audience, odds were good somebody would yell out "Free Bird".

That's what you call JAMMIN!

OMG..WATCH THE LIVE VERSION FROM OAKLAND, CA AND WATCH THEM PLAY THIS LIVE..You'll be amazed!!!

Great southern rock band from the 60's-80's. It is very sad what happened to this band in losing so many members in a plane crash. My favorite songs are "Simple Man", "Free Bird" & "Sweet Home Alabama". They had lots of great songs such as "Call Me The Breeze", "Tuesday's Gone", "The Ballad Of Curtis Loew", "What's Your Name", "That Smell", "Gimme Three Steps" etc.

That came from the tall guy on the album cover. Allen Collins he wrote this in high school at 16 years old.

You can’t say southern rock and not have these boys come to mind.How sad it is that bands like this can’t be found these days.Music from this era was what defined the people at the time,myself included.You can listen to freebird today and still have to crank it up and live it again.Always great!😎

Soooooo popular when I was a teen. Was blasting all summer long on everyone’s car radio !!!

To watch you go into ultimate awe was priceless 😂

Songs like this made the 70's great for music!

Free Bird and Stairway to Heaven filled ALL of the airtime on radios back in the day!

4:40 little does he know, the guitar solo is the entire second half. The reason that solo is so iconic is because it is one of the first to have not one, not two, but three guitars(two lead and one rhythm).

They were a three guitar band. Lead duties were passed around. They didn't improvise much.Alan Collins opened up and the others joined in.

Loved this song and LS since day 1! It was always their closing song.

Gary Rossington played slide guitar and Allen Collins played the solo

You were having a total ear gasem! So much fun watching you listen to this.

It's a cavernous hole. Happy trails! Lynyrd Skynyrd is the standard bearer of Southern Rock. Peace Out 😊 ✌

When you were talking about if this song had never been discovered, I was thinking. Just you wait. You ain’t heard nothing yet

The only band that has this instrumentation (3 guitar Gods, a lead bassist, THE Master of southern rock keys, and a few badass drummers, just through the first few years) today is Blackberry Smoke. Both touring companies also include(d) and a crew of female backup singers. The Honkettes for Skynyrd (3 members, 1 of which was one of the guitarists sister, both lost in the plane crash), and The Black Betties(2 members) for BBS.

Love your face at that moment that the pace changes-it's the look we've all had when we first heard this masterpiece. Now that you've heard the studio version and thought it couldn't get any better-it's time to watch a live version. I personally suggest the Knebworth version. Please do yourself a favor and watch that version. It's longer than the Oakland version and the camera person(s) are much more focused on the band than the crowd. Also, there is the aspect of LS opening up for the Stones that day. The stage had a "tongue" element to it and LS was told that they could not go out into that portion. Watch what happens, lol. To me, it's the best live version of the brilliant song I have watched so far. I recommend it to anyone who is a fan or just someone who wants to see one of the best live performances by one of the best bands that ever was.

We all know what is coming after Ronnie sings, you didn’t! Your reaction is epic!

Where'd the solo come from? You're right, they were a bar band, often playing a bunch of sets each night. The extended solo developed as a way to give Ronnie Van Zant, the singer, a chance to rest. Gary Rossington plays the slide at the beginning and Allen Collins, who wrote the music and whose girlfriend asked the opening question, plays lead.

You were spot on with both comments you made. One, it was building in tempo and would go into a solo. Two, LSB did play it in bars for around six years as it was too long to be recorded, so became a fill in tune to give Ronnie's voice a break during their shows. Allan Collins told Ronnie one day early in the band's formation what his girlfriend the told him, "If i leave you tomorrow, would you still remember me?" Ronnie left the practice and returned some time later with the song completely memorized, as he did with all of his songs. None were written down. He then got Allen to compose the music with him adjusting to his lyrics.

Awesome reaction!!!!

That was ,,FREEBIRD !!!

i know people have been telling you to watch the oakland video,but for audio i love the version on the album "one more from the road" recorded in atlanta georgia. for me it's the definitive version.

What just happened? The 70's just happened baby!! Welcome to the best decade of music.

Saw them do this at the Liverpool Empire in '75...what a night! 🙂 Oh just remembered, the support were an all girl band called Fanny! 🤣

Got my coffe now ready for the memories, this is from my high school years. Blasted it on my boombox daily.

Lol i love how you were totally speechless after the solo kicked in

I was lucky enough to see Skynyrd in Philly in 1977 at JFK Stadium. I was 16 and was 30 feet from the stage. The lineup that day was the J. Giles Band, Dicky Betts & Great Southern, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Peter Frampton. I will never forget that concert.

Also saw them at J.F.K. in 1977. 20 years old.

They opened up for The Who down in Atlanta 1974 thank God somebody took me well damn good show

If you listen to the words at the beginning you would get that the guitar soul was the bird taking off in flight

DITTO, DEFINITELY watch the live version from Oakland Coliseum 1977.

"Where did that come from"? The bird is free my man, free indeed.

Live version Salvo. 3 lead guitarists tryin' to out-shred each other. You MUST see it.

I'm 65 and live about 100 miles from Jacksonville and know everything about this band, the good bad and ugly.. from Ronnie telling Gary that he knew they were going to be big when they were the One Percent to when the name Lynyrd Skynyrd was founded, the Skynyrd band was the first band to use three lead guitarist, Yes all three guitarist were lead quality and used three different electric guitars to sound slightly different, Gary Rossington was the one on the slide on FREE BIRD, and after that some called him the Glass Master, Ed King though started with the band left and Steve Gaines replaced him! and the main lead is Allen Collins, the bassist was Leon Wilkins, first drummer was Bob Burns who left the band due to mental health and was replaced by Artists Pyle, Keyboardist Billy Powell. I guess if you really want to know more let me know. Let me end with this, when Ronnie VanZant was killed in 1977 along with Steve Gaines and Steve's sister and one of the back ground singers Cassie Gaines plus road manager Dean Kilpatrick in the plane crash in the swamps of Mississippi, Arimus Pyle walked out of the swamp over a mile to get help. Ronnie died instantly do to head trama, Cassie bleed out before help came and Steve was called dead before help got there. If you want to hear how Ronnie's little brother did after taking over the lead vocals I would tell you to listen to 5he very last album Skynyrd released called " Last of a Dying Breed", it is great.

You must check it out live, the best version is from Knebworth 1976!😎👍

Funny reaction. Back in 1974 when I first heard it, it threw me off balance too. Still does, even though I know it's coming.

Junior year in high school, older brother just got home from a couple of years in the Navy, had spent most of it in the Mediterranean. Brought home a great stereo system and a bunch of music I'd never seen or heard of, in my insular little sports-dominated world of the time. One of the albums he brought home was this one, and we listened to it together while he taught me how to enjoy music under herbal influences. This song was one of a handful from that first album of theirs that grabbed me by the ears and shook me out of my bubblegum-pop music from cafe jukeboxes, tendencies.

You sure were surprised..! 😁...I was thinking just you wait..It will get louder, quicker and crazy...🤪

Play the live version from Oakland 1977. Gots some bite to it.

The live version of this from their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame introduction performance is incredible. You will see why the guitar solo takes three different guitarist to do it live.

Saw them twice in 1976. Wore a brand new blue Jean jumpsuit. I was blue when I took it off .

You have got to see their live show in Oakland Ca.

Gotta hear this song live!

I actually successfully shouted play Freebird and got someone to play a verse of this tune . . .not the guitars. But this is a special well known song that crosses genres. We all wanna fly.

Yes it was Allen Collins and Ed King added some layers. Gary Rossington played the slide on a Gibson SG. Allen Played a Gibson Firebird as I recall. I cranked it up while watching you and it was like I was experiencing it for the first time. Glad you liked it. LS were absolutely amazing.

Love this song

Listening to this song is a pleasant experience, seeing it being played can not be explained, it's beyond words!

Solos about to blow your mind!

People talk about the guitar solo (rightfully so) but the first part and the lyrics are also great!

Free Bird,,,Tuesdays Gone and Call Me the Breeze. Skynyrds tri fecta of break up songs. ALL are FANTASTIC!!!!

This song is the longest solo in the history of rock music, I haven't heard it for a long time, it's just a bomb

Big Skynyrd fan here, and I have to say at first I was ‘this guy’s a lightweight” (no offense!) But by the end you had the utmost most appropriate reaction! Congratulations, consider yourself educated! ❤️ Well done and I hope you’ve been enjoying them ever since!

OMG,,,,,your 1st Free Bird listen????? 💥💥💥🤣🤣 How do you like me now ?🤣?🤣? 👍👍👍 Your reaction was perfect,,,👍😎

Yea I would know saw them live twice in 1976. They couldn't help but be popular.

LIVE in Oakland the best