The Burning Man Returns

By Randall Roberts

The Burning Man, which was prematurely torched by burner-assassin Paul Addis
on Tuesday morning, has returned. This morning at about 11:30, a crane
lifted what is now known as the Spawn of Burning Man into its rightful place
at the center of Black Rock City. The soundtrack to the celebratory moment,
courtesy of an art car with a crystal-clear, blaring sound system? Not as
expected, a crappy trance track, nor "76 Trombones," or "Anarchy in the UK."
Rather, much of the fifteen-minute moment was honored with a ritualist
playing of, yes, "Freebird," by Lynyrd Skynyrd. As the dualing guitars
soloed and wailed, at least a few happy campers sang along: "Lord, I can't
change."

Photos by Charlie Evans