Initially starting off as “My Backyard”, Lynyrd Skynyrd originally consisted of teenage pals Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), Gary Rossington (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass), and Bob Burns (drums), the band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964 and changed names several times. “The Noble Five” and “One Percent” were the most notable names while playing in local pubs and clubs. After winning a local Battle of the Bands contest, the band used their prize money and recorded their debut singles, "Need All My Friends" and "Michelle".
The band finally adopted Lynyrd Skynyrd as their official name as a mockery of their gym coach, Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High. The coach forbade and, at times, punished the boys for having long hair, and strictly enforced the school dress code. As a joke, Van Zant announced the band’s name as Leonard Skinner during an on-stage performance as “One Percent”. The name stuck and finally evolved into Lynyrd Skynyrd. The band was later discovered by “Blood Sweat and Tears” founder Al Kooper in 1972.
Kooper launched their first album, “Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd” featuring the classic “Freebird”. “Freebird” peaked at #19 on the Billboard Hot 200 charts. 1974 witnessed the band’s breakthrough hit album, “Second Helping”. This second album featured their famous single “Sweet Home Alabama”, presumed to be an answer to Neil Young’s “Alabama” and “Southern Man”. Other hits featured in the album were "Saturday Night Special," "What's your Name," and "You Got That Right." Steve Gaines (guitar) and Cassie Gaines (backup singer) joined later in 1976.
The band faced a tragic end to their career after their plane crashed into a swamp in Gillsburg, MS on the October 20, 1977. After losing Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, Ronnie Van Zant, and their personal manager Dean Kilpatrick, the band had few surviving members. March 2006 saw Lynyrd Skynyrd being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. |
