LYNYRD SKYNYRD MEETS THOSE SHARP DRESSED MEN

Keyboardist Billy Powell and 19 others survived the Oct. 20, 1977, plane crash in Mississippi that decimated the rollicking Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Among those killed were lead vocalist Ronnie VanZant, guitarist Steve Gaines, vocalist Cassie Gaines and road manager Dean Kilpatrick.

VanZant's personality was so integral to Lynyrd Skynyrd and the tragedy was so painful that the surviving members went their own ways in various configurations for many years. Ten years after the crash, the remaining members regrouped for what they thought would be an emotional reunion concert. But the reunion took, and now the renewed Lynyrd Skynyrd has joined with ZZ Top in a tour that has been extended twice since beginning last June.

The bands perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Show Me Center along with opening act Laidlaw.

ZZ Top is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and is touring to promote its new CD, "X X X." Known for such songs as "Tush," "Cheap Sunglasses" and "Sharp Dressed Man," ZZ Top has recorded a new album that explores new sounds and styles like metal-rap but is still based on the bearded boys' good old boogie.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is a name meant to get back at a high school coach in Jacksonville, Fla., who was always making the band members get haircuts. It worked. "He hated it," Powell said in a phone interview from a tour stop in Cincinnati.

But, as Lynyrd Skynyrd knows too well, things change. Skinner quit coaching, became a successful real estate agent, opened three clubs in Jacksonville to exploit his famous name and let his hair grow long. He's now friends with the band.

Powell was a roadie for Lynyrd Skynyrd until Ronnie VanZant heard him playing the piano one day. The Skynyrd leader was naturally gifted as a lyricist, Powell says. "There was something about the lyrics to his songs, the truth to them."

"Gimme Three Steps," one of the band's early hits about escaping a jealous husband, was based on a true story. Other hits like "Freebird" and "Sweet Home Alabama," a defiant response to Neil Young's scathing "Southern Man," had Lynyrd Skynyrd riding a wave of popularity when the crash occurred.

Tragedy continued to dog Lynyrd Skynyrd after they reunited. Allen Collins, one of the founding members, wrecked his new Thunderbird, killing his girlfriend and damaging his upper body to the extent he could no longer play with the band. He pleaded no contest to driving under the influence and, Powell says, was never the same.

Collins died in 1990 from complications of pneumonia.

Powell, guitarist Gary Rossington and bassist Leon Wilkeson are the only remaining members from the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny VanZant, Ronnie's younger brother, now fronts the band.

For many years, Lynyrd Skynyrd was known for drinking, fighting and carousing offstage. Everyone is drug-free now, Powell says. "Now that everybody has kicked the drugs there is absolutely zero tolerance. The crew is not allowed to drink and there's no booze in the dressing room. The hard stuff is history."

Everybody has families now. Powell himself has five kids. The musicians work out and eat good food.

"We're not 20 years old anymore," Powell said. "If we partied like we did when we were 20 we would be dead."

The band is playing better than ever, Powell says, a result of their sobriety.

"For awhile we were taking turns going off the wagon. I went to rehab. Instead of being shunned by my bandmates they supported me.

"I believe we have a permanent band. If the Rolling Stones can do it we can do it."

Lynyrd Skynyrd started the Freebird Foundation in memory of the members who have been lost. The foundation provides scholarships to students who can't afford to go to college.

They're known for other acts of kindness. They sent an autographed drum head, an autographed photo and a copy of their newest CD, "Edge of Forever," to a local fan.

Jamie Jacobs of Advance is partially paralyzed from a traffic accident 20 years ago and currently is hospitalized for a condition related to the accident. A friend asked the band to send the mementos since Jacobs won't be able to attend the concert.

Everything they've been through creates a certain loyalty to the band family, Powell says, and he thinks their fans feel the same loyalty to them.

"It seems like a natural thing for us to stick together. The stamina Skynyrd has makes me proud. It's a spiritual thing."

Lynyrd Skynyrd would not be allowed to end a concert with a song other than "Freebird," the tune that has become a memorial to Ronnie VanZant.

The band's plane ran out of fuel that October night over Mississippi. It took a long time to accept something so senseless. "We used to be bitter, blamed God, everybody and his brother," Powell says.

Those who remain are real rock 'n' roll survivors.

"We feel like we are blessed now," he says.