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The Rise And Fall Of Lynyrd Skynyrd

A Southern Rock Phenomenon

By Joey OdumPublished 3 years ago 6 min read
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Lynyrd Skynyrd is one of the most quintessential southern rock bands of the 20th century. With hits like Freebird, sweet home Alabama, give me 3 steps, and Saturday night special, Leonard Skynyrd building catalog to last a lifetime. It took seven years before the band was discovered, but in that time, they had a chance to build the band from the ground up. In this article, we will take a look at the man's history from its formation up until the fateful plane crash that claimed the lives of three of the band's members on October 20th 1977.

The band began in 1964 when Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Bob Burns were playing baseball when Van Zant hit a foul ball and hit Bob in the head. After the baseball game, the three got to talking and realized that they all were interested in music and decided to jam. The first song they ever played together what is time is on my side by The Rolling Stones. They soon recruited Alan Collins and Larry Junstrom to round out the band's lineup. they 1st called themselves my backyard in begin playing private parties in school dances. Pretty soon, they changed their name to One Percent. The boys were in high school at this time and wanted to dedicate all their time to music so they quit sports and would quit school soon after. They were not treated fairly in school because of their long hair, in their coach Leonard Skinner would often send them to the principal’s office for violating dress code. They soon started playing local clubs and decided once again to change their name. Thinking back to their strict gym coach, they decided to pay tribute to him changing their name and Lynyrd Skynyrd was born. By this time, Larry Junstrom decided he had had enough of the vigorous traveling schedules and decided to leave the band. He was then replaced by Leon Wilkeson on bass.

Success finally came knocking for Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1972 when Al Kooper of Blood Sweat & Tears discovered them in a nightclub in Atlanta GA while he was searching for talent to sign to his new informed label sounds of the South. He liked the band, but famously said that he what is more drawn to Ronnie Van Zant's stage presence in considered him an unlikely front man. The band took notice that people kept mispronouncing their name because of its spelling end in response named their first album Pronounced Leh Nerd Skin Nerd. Just before recording sessions began, Leon Wilkeson decided to quit the band and was replaced by former Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King who played bass on the first album. Just after the album was completed, Ronnie Van Zant said that end King was the worst bass player he had ever played with in decided to switch him to guitar and get Leon back in the band. They soon crafted what would be their most iconic song Sweet Home Alabama which was a response to Neil Young song Southern Man.

In 1973, Lynyrd Skynyrd what is asked to join The Who on their Quadrophenia tour as an opening act bringing them national attention. They toured extensively through 1973 playing dates all over the country and the demands of the road proved to be rough to cope with. They began drinking whiskey to calm their nerves before every show which would prove to be a problem later.

1974 saw the release of the band's sophomore effort second helping which included the song sweet home Alabama in propelled them even further after the song hit #1. It proved to be Lynyrd Skynyrd's only number one hit. By this time, they all became very nervous by their success and started partying even harder. They were thrown out of hotels for damaging property almost everywhere they went. They had a motto of live fast, die young, and leave a good-looking corpse which was typical during that time.

During a tour in Europe in 1975, Bob Burns had a mental breakdown and had to leave the band. He was replaced by Artemis Pyle, and this became the classic pre plane crash Skynyrd line up. It was soon time to record a follow up to second helping, but due to the touring and time constraints the band had no time to craft songs the way they had previously and most of the songs were done right in the studio. Nuthin Fancy was released on March 24th, 1975. Though it did well, it was not up to par with all the rest of their work to date according to critics. It did contain the song Saturday Night Special which in my opinion is one of their best songs and one of my favorite albums. Due to Ronnie Van Zant's temper and the band's hard partying ways, Ed King left the band in the middle of touring and supportive Nuthin Fancy leaving Rossington and Collins to do all guitar duties.

In 1976, Lynyrd Skynyrd decided to add backup singers and were joined by a group called The Honkettes which featured Leslie Hopkins, JoJo Billingsley and Cassie Gaines. After Gaines learned that the band was seeking another guitar player, she introduced them to her brother Steve Gaines, and he seemed to fit perfectly. After some rehearsals, the band recorded the live album one more from the road in 1976 which was the first to feature Gaines on guitar. They were riding high, but a little less than a year later sadly it would all come crashing down.

In October 1977, the band were finishing up what they believe to be the best album and tour of their careers. After Gaines joined the band, they started to get their fire back and began to clean up their act as Ronnie Van Zant had just had a little girl with his wife Judy and wanted to clean up and set a better example.

On October 20th, 1977, the band were just finishing up the last few shows of their tour. They played a show in Greenville SC on October 19th and were due to fly to Baton Rouge LA for a show the following day. Near the end of their flight jus over McComb MS, the airplane they were flying in started to malfunction. They had problems with it previously but were assured by pilots that everything would be OK. Sadly, at around 6:48 PM, the plane carrying Lynyrd Skynyrd and all its crew crashed in a swamp killing Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, load manager Dean Kilpatrick, copilot John Gray and pilot Walter McCreary instantly.

The band reformed 10 years later in 1987 with Ronnie's brother Johnny on lead vocals along with the other survivors minus Alan Collins who had become paralyzed in a car accident a year prior. Though they never had the same level of success, Lynyrd Skynyrd remains one of the highest grossing touring acts to this day, proving that their dream never died.

SOURCES:

IF I LEAVE HERE TOMORROW: A FILM ABOUT LYNYRD SKYNYRD 2018

THINGS GOIN' ON LYNYRD SKYNYRD 1964-1987 DOCUMENTARY 2020

LYNYRD SKYNYRD: THE LAST 72 HOURS DOCUMENTARY 2021

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