At the 1998 Sturgis Rally, after performing through a
particularly nasty storm, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tour manager told Sturgis Buffalo Chip owner Rod “Woody” Woodruff that the band had such a great time at the Chip that they would like to return. In fact, he said if Woody would promise to build a “real” stage by next year, they’d confirm “right now.”
Woody promised, obtained architectural drawings of the stage recently built at one of
the nation’s top outdoor concert venues and went to work. Using materials salvaged from oil fields and a bridge built by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, The Chip’s crew worked on the stage throughout the fall, winter, and spring. In the summer of 1999, the christening of the Wolfman Jack Memorial Stage featured Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The now iconic stage helped pave the way for over 1,020 Top 40, 533 Top 10 and 272 no. 1 hits to be performed at the Chip by the biggest names in music and entertainment, including Lynyrd Skynyrd, and put the Sturgis Rally on the music festival map. Now, that band is returning for the 86th Sturgis Rally to the stage they helped build on Tuesday, Aug. 11. Passes are available now at BuffaloChip.com.
Few American rock bands have achieved the lasting recognition of Lynyrd Skynyrd. With a catalog of over 60 albums, billions of streams, tens of millions of records sold, and the introduction of Hell House whiskey, Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd remain a cultural icon that appeal to all generations. Hits like “Gimme Three Steps,” “Simple Man,” “Free Bird,” and “Sweet Home Alabama” will keep the Chip rally crowd rockin’ to the best touring band in history.
Take it straight from Woody, “It’s Southern Rock. It’s American. It’s Skynyrd. It’s why they remain among the most requested performers ever. And that’s why we’re proud to have them perform here again for you. I swear, it’ll be a show never forgotten.”
There aren’t many bands that can carry on the tradition of Timeless Classics successfully for 50 years. We can thank the tradition of Lynyrd Skynyrd at the Chip for the stage that these world-class bands are gracing today.
For the 2026 event, Buffalo Chip guests can experience concerts, charity rides, events, a freedom celebration, custom bike shows, stunts, women’s events, racing and more. The festival runs Aug. 7-16, 2026, and the band lineup so far includes Lainey Wilson and Lynyrd Skynyrd. For a full list of Sturgis Buffalo Chip events, see BuffaloChip.com/EVENTS. The Buffalo Chip is home to the Sturgis Rally Information Center™ and is the official sponsor of Sturgis.com’s free Official Sturgis Rally Registration Program.
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