Their names are world-famous: Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, 38 Special, Molly Hatchet. Not as well known, however, is that those bands are among several who together pioneered a new kind of music nearly 60 years ago in Jacksonville. As the city celebrates its bicentennial, Southern rock endures and still thrives today.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Among those put out of work by the coronavirus pandemic is Jacksonville’s Lynyrd Skynyrd. Lead singer Johnny Van Zant said he’s trying to take care of the people who work for Skynyrd. “This thing swept us off our feet," Van Zant said. I think arenas will come along later.”UNCUT: Tom Wills’ full interview with Johnny Van ZantVan Zant said he doesn’t see much live music happening before the end of this year. “I was talking to a friend of mine and we were like, just think, all around the world there’s nobody playing music.

It was a reunion like no other in the history of rock and roll. Loved ones of Ronnie Van Zant and Steve and Cassie Gaines were there. So were survivors of the Mississippi plane crash 42 years ago that killed Ronnie, Steve and Cassie, and assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick of Jacksonville, the pilot and co-pilot. WATCH: ‘The Legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd’ preview | A look at the documentaryAt 9 p.m. Thursday on WJXT’s sister station, CW17, I brought you these dramatic stories in an hour-long special, “The Legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd." There will be an encore presentation of the special at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec 29, also on CW17.