Leonard Skinner, the no-nonsense, flat-topped basketball coach and gym teacher whose name is forever linked with Jacksonville’s legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep early Monday morning. He was 77.

"Coach Skinner had such a profound impact on our youth that ultimately led us to naming the band, which you know as Lynyrd Skynyrd, after him. Looking back, I cannot imagine it any other way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."

~ Gary Rossington

This Sunday, August 1st at 9AM, A&E's Private Sessions will feature Lynyrd Skynyrd! Tune in to watch as the southern rockers join host Lynn Hoffman to talk about their tragic past, how they decided to reform the band, and their inspiration behind their latest studio album, 2009's God & Guns.

Don't miss the extended version of "Free Bird," and performances of "Sweet Home Alabama," "God & Guns," and "Still Unbroken." Plus, Bret Michaels stops by to surprise the guys and talk about their tour!

Never-Before-Seen Concert Premiere on Public Television Wolfgang's Vault Presents Day on the Green 1977 Featuring Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd

The untouched tapes sat in the Bill Graham Archives for 33 years. Today, Wolfgangs Vault joins Grammy Winner Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd in support of public television with the U.S. nationwide release of a broadcast special and DVD: Wolfgang's Vault Presents Day on the Green 1977, co-produced and distributed by WLIW21 in association with WNET.ORG.

Wolfgang's Vault Presents Day on the Green 1977 featuring Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd premieres nationwide on public television beginning July 30, 2010 (check local listings) as part of WNET.ORG's landmark Public Television Rocks! initiative. The program features never-before-seen vintage concert footage, unearthed from the Wolfgang's Vault archives, of the July 2, 1977 concert event produced by Bill Graham. It captures Frampton at the height of the fan frenzy following the release of the album Frampton Comes Alive, and showcases Lynyrd Skynyrd just months before the plane crash that took the lives of lead vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and back-up vocalist Cassie Gaines. Program details are available at http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/public-television-rocks.html . An exclusive limited edition DVD of Wolfgang's Vault Presents Day on the Green 1977 is available at wliw.org/wolfgangsvault.com and will be available during the broadcasts to viewers who make a suggested donation in support of their local public television station.

Wolfgang's Vault is the world-renown online archive of vintage concert recordings dedicated to live music, which since 2003 has provides over 3500 concert audio recordings streamed free. With this public television special and DVD, Wolfgang's Vault opens its long-awaited Video Vault, giving music fans worldwide access to thousands of great concert videos from the past five decades.

Peter Frampton said of the public television program, "I saw this video for the first time recently in my kitchen, and I couldn't believe it! It brings back great memories of a great time."

Bill Sagan, CEO of Wolfgang's Vault, noted: "We are thrilled to be working with these performers to share these great recordings in support of public television. WNET.ORG and WLIW21 have been great co-producers to ensure music fans across the country can experience this show."

"Public Television Rocks! is all about bringing audiences unique music content and experiences that are not available anywhere else. WNET worked with Bill Graham in the 70s so we jumped at the chance to work with Wolfgang's Vault," said Joshua C. Nathan, Vice President of Business Development and Institutional Strategy at WNET.ORG. "Music fans are hungry for this kind of television programming. We are thrilled to co-present this classic summer concert by Peter Frampton and Lynyrd Skynyrd for the first time ever."

Preview videos, program details and more can be found at http://www.wolfgangsvault.com/public-television-rocks.html and http://www.wliw.org/wolfgangsvault

About Wolfgang's Vault: Wolfgang's Vault is the online destination for live music and the world's largest collection of live concert recordings and vintage music memorabilia. Music lovers find free music streaming online here with hundreds of concert recordings from the last 50 years, downloads, and thousands of vintage rock posters, concert and band photos and retro and vintage concert t-shirts available for purchase. www.wolfgangsvault.com

About WNET.ORG: New York public media company WNET.ORG is a pioneering provider of television and web content. The parent of THIRTEEN, WLIW21 and Creative News Group, WNET.ORG brings such acclaimed broadcast series and websites as Need To Know, Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Secrets of the Dead, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, Visions, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack, Miffy and Friends, Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps and Cyberchase to national and international audiences. Through its wide range of channels and platforms, WNET.ORG serves the entire New York City metro area with unique local productions, broadcasts and innovative educational and cultural projects. In all that it does, WNET.ORG pursues a single, overarching goal - to create media experiences of lasting significance for New York, America and the world. For more information, visit www.wnet.org.

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Lynyrd Skynyrd was honored this week by the U.S. Congress by Florida Congressman Connie Mack, and Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus along with recognizing the achievements of the band during a reception at the U.S. Capitol.

The congressional honor for the group, who are performing in Birmingham tonight, came during a visit to Washington including stops at both the Capitol and the White House.

"The Lynyrd Skynyrd band is a true voice of the South and a legend in the music world. "Sweet Home Alabama" is one of the best advertisements for my state and we now even proudly display the words on our license plates. We deeply appreciate the fact that the band does a lot to entertain our troops and support military families. They bring enjoyment to their many fans and it's a pleasure to welcome them to our nation's capital," said Bachus, who is dean of the Alabama House delegation.

After a hosted tour of the Capitol by Bachus' staff, Representatives Bachus and Mack presented a Congressional Record tribute to the band members, including Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Rickey Medlocke, recognizing the band's career and successes.

The Congressional Record tribute follows.

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD

RECOGNITION OF THE MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF LYNYRD SKYNYRD BY CONGRESSMEN SPENCER BACHUS AND CONNIE MACK

In the music world, it is challenging enough for a band to record one hit song, much less become a voice for an entire region and a true icon. That is why Congressman Connie Mack and I are pleased to jointly recognize the accomplishments and patriotic spirit of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd.

From humble beginnings, Lynyrd Skynyrd has become one of the most revered and accomplished bands in the history of music, having sold nearly 30 million records worldwide in the last four decades. Through their live performances and the music and songs still played on radio stations around the world every day, the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd have established themselves as timeless artists who transcend any one musical era or generation.

As validated by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, Lynyrd Skynyrd has had a seminal impact on the development of rock and country music and a profound influence on the career development of many artists who followed in their creative footsteps.

Through their collective voices, the band has become a beacon for regional identity and pride in the American South. This is perhaps best epitomized by the song "Sweet Home Alabama," an anthem so universally identified with the state of Alabama that it is the official motto displayed on license plates.

Since their start in Jacksonville, Florida in the late 1960s, Lynyrd Skynyrd has been a spokesman for the everyday working man and woman, the friends and neighbors of their formative years. Their ability to capture a unique part of the American spirit has given their music emotional meaning to many fans and built a legacy that continues to grow year after year.

Amid triumph and loss, these sons of the south have evolved from band to close-knit family. A tragic airplane crash in 1977 claimed original members Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, but Ronnie's brother Johnny carried on the tradition as the new vocalist. Devoted fans also remember and cherish the contributions of Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, and Ean Evans. Today, led by core members Johnny Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlock, and Michael Cartellone, Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to share an unbreakable bond with the fans they count as family as well.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has been a generous supporter of our men and women in the armed forces for many years. The band has long understood that our military personnel bravely and unselfishly stand guard over our everyday security and freedom. They have enthusiastically raised money for military families and played countless shows for our service members in uniform. Their song "Red, White, and Blue" was written as a tribute to the men and women who serve in the defense of freedom.

As representatives of timeless American values and champions of working class heroes, Lynyrd Skynyrd continues to entertain and inspire millions of fans across the world. Along with Congressman Mack, I find it highly appropriate that the people's House takes time to recognize this classic band for lasting contributions not just to the world of music, but to American popular culture as a whole.