WHITFIELD: They have been together for the most part of some 40 years. Their music sparking memories of weddings, proposals and school dances, "Sweet Home Alabama," "Free Bird," "What's Your Name", now you know exactly who I'm talking about. Lynyrd Skynyrd. Well, I sat down face to face with vocalist Johnny Van Zant and guitarist Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke and they were invited to the Republican National Convention but weather, not politics, kept them away from Tampa.</s>RICKEY MEDLOCKE, GUITARIST: One big misunderstanding, we were going to be there for the Wounded Warriors. We do a lot. We try to do as much as we can for the troops and their families. Johnny even every night dedicates "Simple Man" to the troops and their families. And we were going there specifically to be there for the Wounded Warriors. You know, I think it kind of got misunderstood, you know, we were drawing the line. And that wasn't what it was at all, you know.</s>JOHNNY VAN ZANT, VOCALIST: You know, I've got to tell you, we have Democrats in the band. Myself, I'm a Republican. I'm proud to be a Republican. I'll say that to anybody. But for us, hey, we get along in the band. You know? Hey, if the Democrats want us to play their convention we'll go play the Democratic convention. So -- but no, you know, what, we -- our main thing was to play for the Wounded, you know, Warriors program. We're big supporters of our troops. I don't care who wins this election in November. We have to take care of our troops and their families. And you know what, they are the ones who are sacrificing for this great country and we have to do our part as Americans.</s>WHITFIELD: In the next hour we'll hear how after 16 albums the band finds itself playing for three generations of fans and loving it, and how they balance their classic songs with their new material. They've got a new album out now.
Lynyrd Skynyrd Had Planned to Play RNC