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A trio of classic rock bands will hit the Mother Lode’s Ironstone Amphitheatre this fall.
Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foghat and Molly Hatchet will play Friday, Oct. 2, at the Murphys venue. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, May 1.
“With a lineup stacked with timeless hits, roaring guitars, and Southern rock swagger, this special night ... promises to deliver the kind of concert experience fans will be talking about long after the final encore,” a press release said.
Formed in 1964 in Jacksonville, Florida, Lynyrd Skynyrd scored Southern rock hits including “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Simple Man” and “Gimme Three Steps.”
Tragedy struck in 1977 when three members were among those killed in a chartered plane crash: frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist/vocalist Steve Gaines and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve Gaine’s sister).
The group disbanded, but 10 years later re-formed with Johnny Van Zant filling his brother’s frontman role, along with original crash-surviving member and guitarist Gary Rossington.
Rossington continued to tour with the band until his death in 2023.
The current lineup, according to the press release, is made up of Johnny Van Zant, Rickey Medlocke, Damon Johnson, Mark “Sparky” Matejka, Michael Cartellone, Robbie Harrington, Peter Keys, Carol Chase and Stacy Plunk.
Foghat, formed in London in 1971, has been touring for more than five decades, playing its blues-rock. Known for hits such as “Slow Ride,” “Fool for the City” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” the band currently includes founding drummer Roger Earl, Bryan Bassett, Rodney O’Quinn and Scott Holt, the press release said.
Southern hard rock group Molly Hatchet scored hits with “Flirtin’ with Disaster,” “Gator Country” and “Dreams I’ll Never See.” The band’s lineup now is led by longtime guitarist Bobby Ingram, John Galvin, Tim Lindsey and Shawn Beamer, along with touring vocalists, according to the release.
This latest concert joins other shows set for the 2026 season at Ironstone, including a show featuring Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons and his band, along with Sebastian Bach, Lita Ford and Quiet Riot (July 18); Air Supply and Little River Band with John Waite (Aug. 7); Kane Brown (Aug. 16); and Alison Krauss & Union Station (Aug. 28).
Ironstone Amphitheatre is at 1896 6 Mile Road in Murphys. For tickets and more, see ironstoneamphitheatre.net/wired.
