Band FAQ

Answers

Band FAQ

Q: When did Lynyrd Skynyrd first get together?
A: The first version of 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' came together in the summer of 1964 when Bob Burns, Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant got together with Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom. The five teenagers practiced in Bob's carport and named their new band 'My Backyard' -- the first of many names that come and go over the next five years.
Q: What other names has Lynyrd Skynyrd used over the years?
A: 'My Backyard' was followed by 'The Noble Five'. Other names included 'Conqueror Worm', 'Sons of Satan', the 'Wildcats' and finally the 'One Percent'. The band went by the 'One Percent' for several years until 1970.
Q: Where did the name 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' come from?
A: 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' came from Leonard Skinner. Skinner was a gym coach at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville who at some point in the 1960s disciplined Gary and Bob for letting their hair grow. The young musicians eventually dropped out of school, but remembered all the hassles. In 1970, the band -- playing as the 'One Percent' -- had a gig at a local club called the Forest Inn and Ronnie called out to the crowd, 'Hey, we're Leonard Skinner and we're gonna play for y'all tonight'. Since most of the crowd had run into Coach Skinner at one point or another the name was an instant hit and stuck. Eventually, the vowels were changed 'to protect the guilty' -- as Gary put it a few years ago.
Q: How did Skynyrd's plane crash?
A: According to the NTSB report the pilots miscalculated the amount of fuel provided in Lakeland, Florida on October 18, 1977. When they refueled in Greenville, South Carolina on the 20th, they compounded this error by believing they had more fuel than they really did. The airplane was also experiencing some mechanical difficulties which required the pilots to operate the right engine in the 'auto-rich' position which burned fuel at an excessive rate. The combination of these problems resulted in nearly complete fuel exhaustion. The pilots changed course and headed for an airport near McComb, Mississippi but the plane stalled near Gillsburg, Mississippi and crashed in swampy woods.
Q: What happened to Allen Collins?
A: In January 1986 Allen had just bought a new Ford Thunderbird and was driving near his home in Jacksonville, Florida when he lost control and flipped the car. His girlfriend was killed in the crash and Allen was paralyzed from the chest down. Allen later pled no contest to a DUI manslaughter charge. By September 1989, Allen's condition had deteriorated to the point that he had to enter the hospital where he contracted pneumonia. The drugs used to fight the pneumonia basically destroyed his liver and he passed away on January 23, 1990.
Q: How is Ed King?
A: Ed King became ill with congestive heart failure while on tour in 1995 which required him to retire from active touring with Skynyrd. Since then Ed has been on a strict diet and exercise program and he was placed on the national heart transplant list in January 1996. Ed and his doctors have been monitoring his condition.
Q: How many original members are still with Skynyrd?
A: There are currently two original members touring with the band -- guitarist Gary Rossington, and keyboardist Billy Powell.
Q: Who are the current members of Lynyrd Skynyrd?
A: Current members are guitarist Gary Rossington, keyboardist Billy Powell, bassist Ean Evans, Rickey Medlocke (who played drums with Skynyrd for a short time in 1971) from Blackfoot on guitar, Johnny Van Zant on vocals, and Michael Cartellone on drums. Dale Krantz Rossington (from the Rossington Collins Band) and Carol Chase are singing background vocals.
Q: Over the years how many different people have been members of Skynyrd?
A: Twenty Two-- Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King, Billy Powell, Larry Junstrom, Leon Wilkeson, Bob Burns, Artimus Pyle, Steve Gaines, Rickey Medlocke, Custer, Hughie Thomasson, Randall Hall, Johnny Van Zant, Mike Estes, Owen Hale, Jeff MacCallister, Michael Cartellone, Ean Evans and Timmy Lindsey. There have been eight backup singers -- Cassie Gaines, Leslie Hawkins, JoJo Billingsley, Dale Krantz Rossington, Carol Bristow, Debbie Bailey, Debbie Davis, Carol Chase and Ean Evans.
Q: What kind of hat did Ronnie wear?
A: Ronnie had his distinctive hats made for him at Texas Hatters in Buda, Texas. Texas Hatters currently make a version of the hat that closely approximates the style Ronnie wore -- The Hi-Roller. This hat is made from 100% Beaver felt and costs $375.00, plus another $45 for the rattlesnake hat band. For more information please contact -- Texas Hatters (512) 295-4287
Q: Why did Bob Burns leave the band?
A: The Freebird Foundation contacted Bob Burns to get his personal response to this question: 'I left the band in 1974 because of my health. I wasn't feeling good or thinking good at that time. Ronnie never fired me and I never quit, but I just had to leave for my own sake. The touring, the recording, the constant motion was too much. I'm very proud of my contributions though. Even today when I listen to the radio and hear me, I can hardly believe it.'
Q: Was there a real Curtis Loew?
A: The inspiration for Curtis Loew was loosely based around the characters that lived near Ronnie's home on Jacksonville's Westside. The corner store in the song is based on Claude's Midway Grocery on the corner of Plymouth and Lakeshore in Jacksonville. While there wasn't a 'real' Curtis Loew, there were many Curtis Loews in the neighborhood. The actual spelling of the name came when Ed was writing the liner notes for the Second Helping album in 1974. He thought it would be funny to name this old Florida black bluesman after the Jewish Loew's Theatre.
Q: What's Artimus Pyle doing now?
A: Artimus is living just south of St. Augustine, Florida on the ocean in Crescent Beach. He has reformed the APB Band (All Points Bulletin) with former Skynyrd guitarist Mike Estes, Tim Lindsey (played bass with Skynyrd for a short period), and Greg Baril. They are playing throughout the Southeast and their web site is at http://www.apbband.com/.
Q: What kind of hat does Gary wear?
A: Gary's hat is made by Charlie One Horse.
Q: Where can I get the Freebird Movie?
A: Freebird The Movie is out on DVD along with the Tribute Tour. You can get it at most DVD/CD stores or online by doing a search for Skynyrd DVD's at places like Amazon.com.
Q: What kind of hats did Leon wear?
A: Leon gathered his numerous stage hats from all over the world in his travels. Some were given to him by friends and fans. He did not have any certain hat company which he'd order hats from. Each hat held special meaning to him and it would often vary from show to show as to which hat he would wear during which song...or for even part of a song. Leon was always kind to his legions of fans who would sometimes present him with a new hat before a show by seeing to it that it would be out on his hatrack on the side of stage left, and would show his appreciation by wearing the gifted headgear during the show at which it was given to him.
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