Classic rock is a music genre that comes attached with a number of notably mythical events throughout history. There are the classic rock songs that accidentally invented new genres, the iconic guitar solos that historically changed everything, as well as the legacy acts that have helped to define and influence our modern chart toppers.
The realm of classic rock has also had its fair share of unusual moments (and not just from accidentally cursed karaoke songs). For example, take this unexpected snippet from 51 years ago today, when the tension between two rock bands of the time almost led to an all-out brawl (and a punch allegedly being thrown anyway).
The Blue Oyster Cult And Lynyrd Skynyrd Roadie Rumble
In 1974, southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd were a hot ticket rising in music, with a run that would be tragically altered three years later by a plane crash that killed three members. But on September 30, 1974, Skynyrd found themselves playing second bill to fellow classic rock act Blue Oyster Cult (best known for their song “Don’t Fear The Reaper”).
The gig in Louisville, Kentucky, reportedly had immediate tension between the groups when Skynyrd was forced to use Blue Oyster Cult’s sound system. This conflict would ultimately boil over as Skynyrd was allegedly performing their famed track “Freebird,” when accusations flew that their sound system was tampered with on purpose by the Cult’s crew.
When BOC sound wrangler Jay “Dunt” Sloatman went to check on the issue with Skynyrd lead singer Ronnie Van Zant’s power at the onstage house mixing board, he was met by a Skynyrd roadie who tried to stop him from coming onstage. Sloatman (apparently objecting to this) laid out the roadie with one punch.
Sloatman reportedly attempted to start another microphone for Van Zant (holding off the rest of the Skynyrd roadies as they piled on him), before turning off most of the power amps for the PA system and going back to the soundboard for the front of the venue. An infuriated Skynyrd finished the rest of their set.
So, What Really Happened On That Night?
Skynyrd apparently left the stage that night wanting to “whip everyone’s ass in the building” over the incident. While the police were initially called, the band’s management settled the conflict by taking them away in a limo. So, who (or what) was ultimately responsible for the sound mix mishap that nearly became a bigger brawl?
Other than Sloatman reportedly turning off the power amps for the PA system, the true start of the ticking fuse is unknown. What likely occurred was a misunderstanding. According to a crew member for the band Hydra (who opened for the acts that night), Van Zant allegedly caused the problem himself while drunkenly slinging around his microphone on its cord.
Sam Judd alleged Van Zant was doing it so much that he accidentally hit something, causing his sound to become intermittent. While (mostly) cooler heads prevailed that night in 1974, it’s remarkable how the smallest match can almost become a full-on bonfire of a conflict.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
