Call ’em the Breeze, but calling them Lynyrd Skynyrd may be as illegal as blocking a fire exit. According to the law books:
Case: Mary Wilson vs. Beary Hobb’s Drifters
Precedent: On June 2, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed into law a bill prohibiting oldies acts from performing under the original group’s name unless at least one original member is involved.
Evidence: Current Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington helped found the group (then known as My Backyard) in 1964.
Case: Leon Wilkerson vs. Grim Reaper
Precedent: Founding vocalist Ronnie Van Zant’s widow upheld an agreement with the current incarnation of Skynyrd that the band must contain at least three longtime members in order to tour and release albums under the name.
Evidence: Leon Wilkerson, bassist from 1972 until his 2001 death, left Rossington and keyboardist Billy Powell as the only two remaining longtime members.
Case: The People vs. “Free Bird”
Precedent: According to Wikipedia, Chicago DJ Kevin Matthews is credited with starting the tradition of yelling the name of the dueling-guitars staple in the ’80s, when he encouraged listeners to do so at a Florence Henderson concert.
Evidence: Anyone who yells out the offending phrase at a musical performance is legally a douchebag. Any situation encouraging the yelling of the phrase (i.e., a Lynyrd Skynyrd show) is to be avoided at all costs.
Verdict: Guilty, on two counts of flagrant irrelevance.
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Lynyrd Skynyrd. July 13, 8 p.m., $24.50-57.50. Sunset Station’s Sunset Amphitheater, 547-7777.