Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' was released 50 years ago
GREEN COVE SPRINGS — More than a half-century ago, Lynyrd Skynyrd got together in a stuffy shack known as "Hell House" along Peters Creek where they were free to rock out from sunrise to …
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Lynyrd Skynyrd's 'Sweet Home Alabama' was released 50 years ago
GREEN COVE SPRINGS — More than a half-century ago, Lynyrd Skynyrd got together in a stuffy shack known as "Hell House" along Peters Creek where they were free to rock out from sunrise to sunset without anyone saying, "Hey, can you keep it down?"
"Sweet Home Alabama" was written and rehearsed here in Clay County and then recorded in Doraville, Georgia. It was released on June 24, 1974, and included in the band's second studio album, "Second Helping."
The song supposedly was made in response to Neil Young's 1970 song "Southern Man," which the band felt blamed the entire South for American slavery. In his 2012 biography, Young acknowledged the song and recanted his rhetoric on "Southern Man" for being accusatory and condescending.
"Sweet Home Alabama" has sold more than four million units worldwide since its release date 50 years ago and is certified platinum. Alabama Gov. Bob Riley made "Sweet Home Alabama" a statewide slogan to promote tourism.
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