“We came here to let everyone know that rock ‘n’ roll is still alive and kicking,” Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant said Saturday night to a crowd of screaming fans.

And that is exactly what Skynyrd did.

With a combination of classic tunes and new songs from its latest release, “Edge of Forever,” a band so influential it was worthy of its own “Behind The Music” stood on the stage of Hilton Coliseum and proved that you’re never too old to rock a crowd.

The second song of the night, “What’s Your Name,” contained all the elements of a past hit complete with backup female singers and the assembly chanting between sips of beer.

A medley of songs written by and dedicated to Van Zant’s brother, Ronnie, filled the middle portion of the show.

Naturally, as the screams for “Freebird” grew louder and louder from all directions, Skynyrd burned though tracks that only the true fans could sing along to.

Everyone else was either too intoxicated to care that they didn’t know the words or too amazed at what they were seeing.

Van Zant’s microphone was wrapped in a confederate flag.

Another one showed up on bass player Leon Wilkeson’s hat, and another flag served as the backdrop for the stage as Skynyrd went into an unforgettable version of “Sweet Home Alabama.”

The band left the stage as the crowd lit up the black arena with lighters. “Freebird” was the chant.

Suddenly the spotlight shined on pianist Billy Powell as he plunked out some beginning notes for the classic song, and Hilton erupted into cheers, annoying whistles and screams.

A version of “Freebird” that lasted well over 10 minutes ensued, complete with extended and amazing guitar solos.

It put closure to what ended up being the best set of the night, by far.

Though Skynyrd is definitely getting old, it can still breathe air into the often thought collapsed lung that is classic rock.

After a half an hour waiting for ZZ Top to take the stage, the trio finally walked on.

No loud and crazy entrance, no fuzzy guitars, just three old men with long graying beards, draped in leather.

The entire set lacked energy.

Drummer Frank Beard looked as though playing the drums for ZZ Top was the most boring, painful job he has ever endured.

The choreographed walking and swaying of guitarist Billy Gibbons and bassist Dusty Hill was fun to see the first ten seconds of their set, but by the end of the second song, it was very old.

The boring set continued on with a sporadic set of songs from a number of ZZ Top albums, mostly blurring together into one big ball of monotony.

Of course the crowd favorites like “Legs” and “Sharped Dressed Man” made an appearance but with lack of energy and originality.

By the time the set was over, the crowd gave a long round of applause, partly paying respects because of what this band has accomplished, and partly because ZZ Top didn’t pass out during its set.

That seemed to be the accomplishment of the night.

Classic rock can easily be enjoyed in the ’90s and on well into the millennium, but only if it’s done right — the way Lynyrd Skynyrd does it.

A note for future classic rock tours: make sure the band that puts on the better show is the headliner.

Oh, and “Freebird” will always rock a crowd.