Lynyrd Skynyrd

1975

Lynyrd Skynyrd By 1975, personal issues began to take their toll on the band. In

By 1975, personal issues began to take their toll on the band. In January, drummer Burns left the band after suffering a mental breakdown during a European tour, and was replaced by Kentucky native and former US Marine mechanic Artimus Pyle . The band’s third album, Nuthin’ Fancy , was…
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1973

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fan base continued to grow rapidly in 1973, thanks

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fan base continued to grow rapidly in 1973, thanks to their opening on the Who ‘s Quadrophenia tour in the United States. Their 1974 follow-up album, Second Helping , featuring King, Collins and Rossington all collaborating with Van Zant on the songwriting, cemented the band’s breakthrough. Its single…
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1972

Lynyrd Skynyrd In 1972, the band (then comprising Van Zant, Collins, Rossington

In 1972, the band (then comprising Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears , who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio’s in Atlanta. Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label,…
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1970

Lynyrd Skynyrd By 1970, Lynyrd Skynyrd had become a top band in Jacksonville

By 1970, Lynyrd Skynyrd had become a top band in Jacksonville, headlining at some local concerts, and opening for several national acts. Pat Armstrong, a Jacksonville native and partner in Macon, Georgia -based Hustlers Inc.; along with Phil Walden ‘s younger brother, Alan , became the band’s managers. Armstrong left…
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1968

Lynyrd Skynyrd In 1968, Van Zant sought a new name after growing tired of taunts

In 1968, Van Zant sought a new name after growing tired of taunts from audiences that the band had “one percent talent”. At Burns’ suggestion, the group settled on Leonard Skinnerd , which was in part a reference to a character named “Leonard Skinner” in Allan Sherman ‘s novelty song…
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1964

Lynyrd Skynyrd Later in the summer of 1964, teenagers Van Zant, Rossington, and

Later in the summer of 1964, teenagers Van Zant, Rossington, and Burns all became acquainted while playing on rival baseball teams. The trio decided to jam together one afternoon after Burns was injured by a ball hit by Van Zant. They set up their equipment in the carport of Burns’…
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1963

Lynyrd Skynyrd Allen Collins received his first guitar in 1963 and was later in a

Allen Collins received his first guitar in 1963 and was later in a band called The Mods in Jacksonville, Florida . The Mods’ membership included J.R. Rice and Larry Steele. In early 1964, Ronnie Van Zant joined another local band, The Squires, which he soon renamed to Us. That year,…
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