Throwback Thursday anyone?
After the death of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s legendary guitar player, Ed King, back in 2018, Chris Stapleton paid his respects with a tribute of one of the band’s most popular songs, “Simple Man.”
Not only is Lynyrd Skynyrd one of the most popular rock bands to ever exist, but Simple Man, inspired by the passing of Ronnie Van Zant’s grandmother, is still one of the most influential songs ever recorded, even 50 years later.
Mix that with one of the most successful and popular and talented (I could go on) country artists of our time, and the performance is well, just about what you’d expect….phucking fenomenal.
Of course, there are songs out there that shouldn’t be covered, and if they are, they hardly ever top the original. However, that rule doesn’t apply to Chris Stapleton. Don’t get me wrong, nothing tops Skynyrd (even though I’ve met some crazies who prefer the Shinedown version) but if there’s any artist who can do almost any song justice, it’s Chris.
Check out his cover of Simple Man, below. You’re welcome.
Here’s a closer recording: