The guitar solo in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song “Free Bird” is one of the most iconic and celebrated solos in rock music history. Many fans have wondered just how long this epic guitar solo actually is. In this article, we’ll take a close look at the length of the “Free Bird” solo and the story behind it.
The basics of “Free Bird”
“Free Bird” was first released by Lynyrd Skynyrd on their debut album “(Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd)” in 1973. The song starts out slow and simple, with a delicate piano and guitar intro. After about two and a half minutes, the tempo picks up and transforms into a full southern rock anthem. At about the 4:40 mark, the music drops down to just the drums, and guitarist Allen Collins launches into his famous solo. The solo was originally written and recorded by Collins as an instrumental piece, but was incorporated into “Free Bird” during the recording sessions.
Length of the “Free Bird” solo
The exact length of the “Free Bird” solo depends on which version of the song you listen to. On the original studio version from the 1973 album, the guitar solo is approximately 5 minutes 17 seconds long. It starts at 4:41 and continues until about 9:58. In live versions, Lynyrd Skynyrd would often extend the solo, sometimes to over 15 minutes in length to really showcase Collins’ guitar skills.
Here’s a breakdown of the solo lengths in some notable recordings of “Free Bird”:
Version | Solo Length |
---|---|
Studio version (1973) | 5 minutes 17 seconds |
Live at Tarrant County Convention Center (1976) | 12 minutes 15 seconds |
One More From the Road live album (1976) | 9 minutes 6 seconds |
Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991 Reunion Tour concert | 18 minutes 46 seconds |
As you can see, Lynyrd Skynyrd really started pushing the length of the solo in live performances, with it reaching almost 19 minutes at their reunion shows!
Why is the solo so long?
There are a few reasons why the “Free Bird” solo is such an epic marathon in length:
- It was originally written as an instrumental – Since Collins first created it as a standalone guitar piece, he had the freedom to keep playing and developing the melody without worrying about fitting in lyrics.
- It showcased his skills – The length allowed Collins the space to really exhibit his exceptional guitar abilities, from fast shredding to emotive bends.
- Crowd reaction – Fans would go crazy during the solo, which spurred the band to extend it further and further to keep the energy going.
- Kept concerts interesting – Having a 5+ minute solo broke up the setlist and provided a nice contrast from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s uptempo rock songs.
In many ways, the “Free Bird” solo almost became a concert within the concert, giving the audience a chance to settle in and listen to some truly astonishing guitar work.
Structures and styles within the solo
While it may seem like endless guitar noodling, the “Free Bird” solo actually contains a few distinct sections and stylistic shifts.
It begins slowly and somberly, with Collins mimicking the vocal melody on guitar. He adds tasteful vibrato and volume swells to mirror the emotive vocals from earlier in the song.
At about the 5:00 mark, the pace quickens as Collins introduces a faster lick punctuated by whammy bar dives. This descending melody becomes the basis for much of the next few minutes.
Around 6:30, the solo reaches its peak intensity. Collins introduces rapid tremolo picking combined with fretboard tapping. He lets loose on the upper frets, showing off his dexterity and speed.
After this pyrotechnic display, the solo shifts gears again, settling into a slinky, bluesy groove around 7:30. Collins explores the lower registers of the guitar and makes great use of space and phrasing in his licks.
In the final minute, the band gradually returns. Collins revisits the vocal melody while mixing in elements from earlier in the solo. The music fades out on one last, soaring high note.
So while lengthy, the “Free Bird” solo is not just aimless shredding – it’s a carefully structured journey through different styles and intensities.
Legacy and influence
The success of the “Free Bird” solo has cemented its status as one of the great moments in rock history. It has directly inspired guitarists across all genres:
- Slash – The Guns N’ Roses guitarist lists it as one of his greatest influences. He often played snippets of the solo in his own live shows.
- Zakk Wylde – The Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society shredder cites Collins as a hero and has covered the song many times.
- John Mayer – Even blues and pop players like Mayer look to the solo as an example of great phrasing and dynamics.
The “Free Bird” solo has become so ubiquitous, it’s even been parodied in pop culture in everything from TV shows to video games.
While Lynyrd Skynyrd sadly lost members over the years, including Allen Collins, they continue to perform “Free Bird” on tour. The epic solo remains a concert staple decades later, with fans screaming “Play Free Bird!” as soon as the band takes the stage.
Very few pieces of music have remained relevant for 50 years, but the iconic guitar work on “Free Bird” cemented its place in the rock lexicon forever.
Conclusion
When Lynyrd Skynyrd laid down the original “Free Bird” track in the 1970s, they had no way of knowing they were recording what would become one of the most legendary rock guitar solos of all time. But over the decades, endless touring and thousands of live performances have expanded the solo to epic proportions in certain renditions. While the studio original clocks in around 5 minutes, live versions have stretched as long as 18+ minutes! Far from aimless noodling, the solo is carefully constructed to showcase different techniques and styles. Its length and impact has inspired countless guitarists in all genres. Nearly fifty years later, the soaring melody of the “Free Bird” solo still evokes powerful crowd reactions and cements its iconic status in rock and roll history every time Lynyrd Skynyrd plays it.