Last night marked the final performance at Freebird Live, a venue Jacksonville Beach, FL venue that closed its doors after 16+ years of business. The venue was owned by Judy Van Zant, the widow of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ronnie Van Zant, who passed away in a devastating plane crash in 1977.

Galactic was on hand for the final musical celebration at Freebird Live, a fitting choice considering the band’s penchant for feel-good dance party funk music. The band has performed nearly every year at Freebird Live, but this final night had some special magic in the air. The whole thing came to a head when Galactic brought out JJ Grey for a cover of “Free Bird,” the Lynyrd Skynyrd song and venue’s namesake.

Watch fan-shot footage of “Free Bird,” courtesy of Brett McInerney, below:

[note: Trombone Shorty is not featured in this video as the title suggests, but Corey Henry is playing the trombone]

You can also bask in the nostalgia of this storied venue with an open message from Judy and Melody Van Zant, as copied below:

A MESSAGE FROM THE OWNERS OF FREEBIRD LIVE

January 19, 2016
A Message From Melody Van-Zant
Owner of Freebird Live

It’s hard to believe that in less than 24 hours we will walk through the doors of the Freebird and set up for one last show! The last few weeks I have spent countless hours cleaning up and clearing out. It has been an emotional roller coaster. I have laughed, I have cried, I have used some really horrible language and have smiled at memories that have been made. I want to say that even though the years of work haven’t always been easy…….it was worth it. I have made some amazing friendships along the way and many of those people I now consider family.

I want to say thank you 1st to my father for the inspiration, to my children for putting up with a tired and stressed mother, my family for standing behind me and my staff for their hard work. I also want to thank the bands and fans, without your love of music we never would have survived. Last but not least I want to thank my mom for her dream and the amazing journey it took us on.

I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes “don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Now let’s get in there one last time and give them what they came for!

Melody Van-Zant
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January 20, 2016
A Message From Judy Van Zant
Owner of Freebird Live

Freebird was a dream that came true. It was a labor of love and that love evolved into a great live music venue that brought so much joy to me, my family, musicians and fans from all over the country.

Freebird will host it’s final show tonight with Galactic, a fan favorite that has performed there almost every year since it opened.

I have not worked at the “Bird” in some seven years or more but I always know what is going on there, I stop in for shows and I am so proud of what it has accomplished.

I must thank Melody Van-Zant for believing in my dream and making it her own, Matt Grondin for his inspiration and input, Aria Todd and Kodin Todd for their patience, the many great musicians that have graced the stage and the loyal lovers of live music that have supported it over the past 16 years.

Farewell Freebird! I will miss you!!

Judy Van Zant