You’ve probably heard the talk. People online—and sometimes even at the local bar—love to argue that if a band doesn't have its original founding members, it’s just a "tribute act." It's a heavy label to throw at a group like Lynyrd Skynyrd. But here we are in 2026, and the "Free Bird" is still very much in flight.
Honestly, the current band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd are doing more than just playing the hits. They are fulfilling a literal deathbed wish. Before the last original founding member, Gary Rossington, passed away in March 2023, he made one thing crystal clear to his bandmates: Don't let this music die. ## The Current Lineup: Who’s on Stage in 2026?
The 2026 roster is a mix of long-haul veterans and a few newer faces who have stepped in to keep the three-guitar attack alive. If you’re heading out to the "Double Trouble Double Vision" tour with Foreigner this summer, this is who you’re going to see.
Johnny Van Zant (Lead Vocals)
Johnny has been the frontman since 1987. Let that sink in for a second. He’s been leading this band for nearly 40 years—longer than his brother Ronnie ever did. He isn't a replacement anymore; he’s the anchor. Johnny brings that same gritty, Jacksonville soul to the microphone, and his connection to the fans is basically the heartbeat of the show.
Rickey Medlocke (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Rickey is a bit of a special case. He was actually in the band back in 1971 as a drummer. He left to front Blackfoot (you know "Train, Train," right?), but he came back home to Skynyrd in 1996 to play guitar. He’s the firebrand on stage. When people call them a tribute band, Rickey is usually the first one to shut it down. He was there in the "formidable" early days, and he’s still there now.
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Damon Johnson (Guitar)
Stepping into Gary Rossington’s shoes is an impossible task, but Damon Johnson is doing it with incredible grace. Formerly of Brother Cane and Alice Cooper, Damon started filling in for Gary when his health began to fail in 2021. After Gary passed, Damon became a permanent fixture. He respects the "Rossington style"—that slow, weeping slide guitar—without trying to be a carbon copy.
The Rest of the Powerhouse
- Mark "Sparky" Matejka: He’s been on guitar since 2006. He’s the "stealth" member who holds the complex arrangements together.
- Michael Cartellone: The man behind the kit since 1999. Before Skynyrd, he was in Damn Yankees. He’s a machine.
- Peter Keys: He took over the "piano man" duties after Billy Powell died in 2009. His honky-tonk style on "Sweet Home Alabama" is spot on.
- Robbie Harrington: The newest addition on bass, bringing a deep, steady groove to the bottom end.
- The Honkettes: Carol Chase and Stacy Michelle (often billed as Stacy Plunk) provide those iconic soulful backing vocals that make songs like "Tuesday's Gone" feel complete.
Is It Still "Skynyrd" Without Gary?
It’s the question everyone asks.
When Gary Rossington died in 2023, the band actually stopped to breathe. They talked with the families of Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins. They talked with Gary’s widow, Dale Krantz-Rossington. The consensus was unanimous: the fans want the music.
You’ve gotta realize that Skynyrd has always been about more than just the people on stage. It’s a culture. For the guys currently in the band, it feels like a duty. Rickey Medlocke often says that Gary’s spirit is "all over that stage." It sounds like a cliché until you see them live and realize they’re playing those songs for the guy who isn't there anymore.
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What’s Next: A Tribute Album and the 2026 Tour
The current band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd aren't just touring; they’re recording. Rickey and Johnny have confirmed they are working on a new studio album specifically as a tribute to Gary Rossington.
The cool part? They’re digging through old tapes. Some of the tracks feature Gary’s actual guitar parts recorded before he passed. There are even whispers of tracks featuring the late Hughie Thomasson. They are basically building a bridge between the past and the future.
The 2026 Double Trouble Double Vision Tour
This summer is massive. They’ve teamed up with Foreigner for a North American run that’s hitting every major amphitheater.
- Atlanta (July 23): The tour kicks off at the Ameris Bank Amphitheatre.
- Clarkston, MI (July 31): A legendary stop at Pine Knob.
- Rogers, AR (August 29): Wrapping up the summer run.
They are also doing the Rock the Country festival circuit again, proving that they can still command a crowd of 50,000 people in a field in South Carolina or Florida.
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Why You Should Still Care
The current band members of Lynyrd Skynyrd represent a rare kind of resilience in rock and roll. Most bands would have folded after the 1977 crash. They definitely would have folded after losing Billy Powell, or Leon Wilkeson, or Gary.
But they didn't.
They kept going because the songs have become a part of the American fabric. When you hear that opening riff of "Sweet Home Alabama," it doesn't matter who wrote it 50 years ago; it matters that you're singing it with 20,000 other people right now.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to catch the current lineup, here's what you should do:
- Check the Lineup: Don't expect to see Dale Krantz-Rossington on every date; Stacy Michelle has been handling many of the touring duties recently.
- Look for the New Album: Keep an ear out for "The Last of the Street Survivors," a track that signals the direction of their upcoming tribute record.
- Get Tickets Early: The 2026 tour with Foreigner is selling out fast, especially the "Rock the Country" dates which feature Creed and other big names.
The music of Lynyrd Skynyrd was never meant to be kept in a museum. It was meant to be played loud, in the heat, in front of a crowd. As long as Johnny, Rickey, and the rest of the crew are willing to haul the gear and hit the stage, the legacy stays alive.
Go see them. Bring your kids. Sing "Free Bird" at the top of your lungs. That's exactly what Gary wanted.