Why did Rickey Medlocke leave Lynyrd Skynyrd?

Rickey Medlocke’s journey with Lynyrd Skynyrd is a tale of self-awareness, evolution, and a return to his musical roots.

Best known as a member of the iconic southern rock band, Medlocke’s involvement has spanned different roles and decades, marked by moments of departure and a triumphant return.

Medlocke’s initial stint with Lynyrd Skynyrd occurred from 1971 to 1972. During this period, he showcased his drumming skills and contributed lead vocals to select songs that would later find a home on the 1978 album “First and… Last.”

Beyond the drummer’s seat, Medlocke nurtured a longing to return to his guitar roots and take on the frontman role. This desire to play a more prominent role in shaping the band’s sound and direction contributed significantly to his decision to depart Lynyrd Skynyrd during that period.

In reflecting on the reasons for leaving Lynyrd Skynyrd during his first stint, Medlocke candidly revealed, “One of the reasons I originally left the band in the first place was that I didn’t think that I was going to be a great enough drummer for the group. I thought that they needed somebody a lot better than me.”

The story took an unexpected turn in the 1990s when Medlocke, after contemplating other career paths, received a phone call that would reignite his musical journey. In 1996, Gary Rossington, a founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, reached out to Medlocke with a proposal to rejoin the band, not as a drummer, but as a lead guitarist and primary songwriter.

Rossington’s invitation marked a pivotal moment for Medlocke, who was asked if he remembered how to play iconic Lynyrd Skynyrd tracks like “Free Bird,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and “Workin’ For MCA,” among others.

Since rejoining Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996, Rickey Medlocke has become an integral part of the band’s legacy, contributing his guitar skills and songwriting prowess to the iconic southern rock sound.