Lynyrd Skynyrd ('Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd') is a U.S. Southern rock band, described by All Music Guide's Stephen Thomas Erlewine as 'the definitive Southern rock band, fusing the overdriven power of blues-rock with a rebellious, Southern image and a hard rock swagger.' The band reached prominence during the 1970s, under the leadership of vocalist and primary songwriter Ronnie Van Zant, until his tragic death in 1977. Lynyrd Skynyrd was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 13, 2006.