Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced /ˌlɛnərd ˈskɪnərd/ len-ərd-skin-ərd) is an American rock band best known for popularizing the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as My Backyard in Jacksonville, Florida, the band was also known by names such as The Noble Five and One Percent, before finally deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band gained worldwide recognition for its live performances and signature songs "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". At the peak of their success, two band members and a backup singer died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the band's most popular incarnation. The band has sold 28 million records in the United States. The surviving band members reformed in 1987 for a reunion tour with lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant, the younger brother of lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant. Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to tour and record with co-founder Gary Rossington, Johnny Van Zant, and guitarist Rickey Medlocke — who first wrote and recorded with the band from 1971 to 1972 (before his return to Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1996). Fellow founding member Larry Junstrom, along with '70s members Ed King and Artimus Pyle, remain active in music but no longer tour or record with the band. Longtime drummer Michael Cartellone has recorded and toured with the band since 1999. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006. Molly Hatchet is an American Southern rock/hard rock band that formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971. The band was founded by guitarists Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland. The band is known for their hit song "Flirtin' with Disaster" from their second studio album, Flirtin' with Disaster, released on September 1, 1979. Molly Hatchet was founded by guitarists Dave Hlubek and Steve Holland in 1971. The band originated and was based in Jacksonville, Florida and shared influences and inspiration with what is perhaps the most well-known act in the Southern rock genre, Lynyrd Skynyrd.Bass player Banner Thomas joined the Molly Hatchet Band in 1974. Bruce Crump would become the drummer in 1976 and guitarist Duane Roland taking his position in the band in 1975. Hlubek was the band's vocalist prior to Danny Joe Brown's entrance in early 1976. Hlubek along with Banner Thomas also wrote/ Co-Wrote and co-produced many of the band's songs. Hlubek has stated that the demise of Lynyrd Skynyrd opened the door for Molly Hatchet. Members of .38 Special referred the band to manager Pat Armstrong who, with partner Alan Walden, had briefly been co-manager of Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970. Ronnie Van Zant was slated to produce Molly Hatchet's first album, having helped in writing arrangements and directing rehearsals prior to his death.[citation needed] Molly Hatchet cut their first demos in Lynyrd Skynyrd's 8-track recording studio using their equipment. Other demos were cut in Jacksonville's Warehouse Studios. Warner Bros. Records expressed interest in the resulting recordings from these sessions.[citation needed] However, Molly Hatchet ended up being turned down by Warner Bros who instead picked Van Halen over Molly Hatchet. After this setback, Molly Hatchet toured the Florida roadhouse and bar circuit. About six months later, Epic Records signed the band to a recording contract and, in 1977, brought Tom Werman in as producer. Werman, known for working with straight hard rock acts such as Cheap Trick and Ted Nugent, combined boogie, blues, and hard rock making Molly Hatchet's sound different from more country-influenced acts such as The Outlaws. The band recorded and released their first album, Molly Hatchet in 1978 which was immediately followed by Flirtin' with Disaster in 1979. Molly Hatchet proceeded to tour behind the records building a larger fan base. Danny Joe Brown, lead singer, left the band in 1980 because of health and other reasons, only to return three years later.