Guitarist Rickey Medlocke continues to be exasperated that the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame chosen to exclude him from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s induction in 2006.

“I bought slapped down by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Medlocke declared all through an look on the Jay Jay French Connection podcast. “I didn’t even get inducted with the band, you know, for the reason that according to [the Rock Hall] my tenure with the band wasn’t that vital. And I am contemplating to myself, really?”

Medlocke’s initial operate with Lynyrd Skynyrd ran from 1971 to ‘72, all through which he played drums and sang. He then returned to his former band, Blackfoot, and used quite a few a lot more decades as a solo artist. In 1996, Medlocke rejoined Skynyrd as a guitarist, the place he has remained at any time since. For the reason that of his extensive heritage with the band, Medlocke has often thought of himself an first member – a viewpoint that founding member Gary Rossington shared.

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“Gary arrived out on movie and reported, ‘Look, Ronnie [Van Zant], Allen [Collins] and I experienced often regarded as Rickey an primary dude in the band, an first member,” Medlocke mentioned.

This isn’t the initially time the guitarist has expressed disappointment that he was not inducted with Lynyrd Skynyrd. In March, Medlocke supplied a middle finger to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame far more than their determination.

Rickey Medlocke Says It’s ‘Very Important’ to Preserve Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Legacy Alive

Rossington, who died in March 2023 at the age of 71, was Lynyrd Skynyrd’s final founding member. Medlocke and singer Johnny Van Zant are now the band’s longest tenured musicians, and they expertise a sense of duty to keep Lynyrd Skynyrd heading.

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“I made a guarantee to Gary Rossington when I obtained back in the band. I instructed Gary, I mentioned, ‘Gary, no issue what, from this day ahead, I am going to be with you in this band till the past be aware in ‘Free Bird’ is played,” Medlocke spelled out. “I want he was with me. It harm me to the main of my heart when he handed absent.”

“It’s incredibly crucial for Johnny and I, for the reason that Gary under no circumstances required to allow the legacy and the new music die with him,” the guitarist continued. “It’s pretty significant for Johnny and I to retain that conventional up, to go out there each and every night time and give it 110 percent for the fans. It really is all for them. And we are proud to do it.”