Jacksonville is not Nashville, the city is not normally associated with the creation of good music, but a surprising number of well known, classic rock acts have had their origin in Florida's largest city.

The Allman Brothers

Though based in Macon, Georgia, The Allman Brothers Band were formed in Jacksonville, Florida and are thought to be one of the bands to invent the genre of Southern Rock. Their best known songs include such classics as "Ramblin' Man" and "Ain't Wastin' Time No More".

Lynyrd Skynyrd

This band is often wrongly associated with the state of Alabama due to their classic hit song “Sweet Home Alabama”, but it is a little known fact that they were actually formed in Jacksonville, Florida. Another little known fact is that another band on this list: .38 Special, started out as one of their opening acts. Other songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd that are still popular today.

.38 Special

They came together in Jacksonville in 1974 and their break out hit eight years later with “Hold on Loosely” which became a number one hit and which is now a staple of classic rock radio. The band has had three platinum albums in Wild-Eyed Southern Boys (1981), Special Forces (1982), and Tour de Force (1984). Lead singer, Donnie Van Zant is the brother of the original lead singer of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ronnie Van Zant (who died in 1977) and of its current lead singer Johnny Van Zant.

Solo acts from Jacksonville include such notables as Ray Charles and Pat Boone.