Ready to kick off touring with a new set of Lynyrd Skynyrd shows starting in March 2024, Rickey Medlocke recently talked to Iridium Rock and Metal Reviews about his career.
A notable point of the chat was the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, an event that did not include Medlocke among the inductees:
“The thing that was kind of a blow to me was that I didn’t get invited or I didn’t get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band.”
During the induction ceremony, Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited with ex-members Bob Burns, Artimus Pyle, and Ed King for a performance of ‘Free Bird.’ The guitarist explained why he wasn’t there by saying:
“The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame stated that I have not had any link or that I wasn’t significant to the career. [Laughs] It didn’t want me being inducted with them. [Flipping his finger] Here’s what I say to them.”
He Was Accepted Into Another Hall, Though
Especially in recent years, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has been the talk of the town for its choice of inductees, accused of overlooking rock and metal artists that weren’t honored despite deserving it. Medlocke himself also had a problem with the Hall’s decisions, as he said:
“I mean, I’m watching them induct people that I go, ‘What? Are you kidding me?’ But you know what? That’s okay. It is what it is. My Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is the fans out there and the music that I play and the band that I play in, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and my own stuff.”
Referring to another induction he received in 2008, the guitarist added:
“You know, I got inducted to the Native American Music Hall of Fame, and my speech was… I stood up at the podium, and I looked around, and I went, ‘Wow. This is way better than any damn Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction could be.’”
Rickey Medlocke comes from Native American roots. He’s always been vocal about his heritage, specifically Lakota Sioux and Cherokee, during previous interviews.
