NAMM: Epi Celebrates 30 Years of Skynyrd

(Click for a close-up)

Back View

The 30th Anniversary Lynyrd Skynyrd Les Paul Goldtop from Epiphone commemorates three decades of the legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. The limited edition guitar is based on the classic Les Paul Goldtop but with a twist: the 30th Anniversary guitar has a Lynyrd Skynyrd Metallic Gold finish on top and the official emblem from band's 30th anniversary tour on the back.

"Lynyrd Skynyrd is an American classic, and the Epi Skynyrd Goldtop celebrates their longevity and untamed, rock and roll spirit," says Jim "Epi" Rosenberg, president of Epiphone. "May the 'Free Birds' fly for another three decades."

Features of the 30th Anniversary Goldtop include maple top and mahogany back, rosewood fingerboard with Lynyrd Skynyrd pearloid inlay, two '57 Classic Alnico-V pickups, vintage "green key" tuners and chrome-plated hardware. It comes with a gig bag.

Lynyrd Skynyrd is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the group's 1973 debut on MCA Records, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd. Their hard-driving, blues-tinged rock 'n' roll sound was powered by a triple-guitar attack, and their hits "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" became rock classics. In 1977, at the height of their popularity, three of the band members died in a plane crash. In the mid-1990s, the band regrouped, featuring original guitarist Gary Rossington, former Blackfoot guitarist (and early Skynyrd drummer) Rickey Medlocke and Johnny Van Zant (brother of original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant). Lynyrd Skynyrd released a studio album of new material, Vicious Cycle, in conjunction with the 30th anniversary celebration.