(The 1980 reincarnation of 'Free Bird,' without lyrics, was a tribute to the late Ronnie Van Zant.) Unsurprisingly, 'Free Bird' became an immediate radio hit, Skynyrd 's own living tribute to predecessor and hero, Duane Allman. While Skynyrd certainly didn't create Southern Rock, they absolutely brought it from regional sensation to mainstream scream. Lynyrd Skynyrd upped the ante with 3 lead guitars. Within a year, they had produced their first album, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, along with session guitar player Ed King.Īt that time, The Allman Brothers Band's signature sound was derived from the 2-lead-guitar assault. Talent scout Al Kooper (of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who was touring with Badfinger at that time) spotted the clan and signed them. The group tacked on a drummer (Bob Burns), a bassist (Leon Wilkeson), another guitarist (Gary Rossington), and keyboardist (Billy Powell), and by 1972, they were playing gigs in an Atlanta watering hole called Funocchio's. Beginning in 1964, they had played under the moniker My Backyard later changing that to The Noble Five, and then One Percent, before settling on the name Lynyrd Skynyrd in '69. This event prompted them to take some liberties with his name, adding a pinch of Southern twang and perhaps a smidgen of sarcasm, when it came time to rename their band.

Leonard Skinner (a tough ex-military man with a traditional flattop haircut and penchant for strict, no-nonsense discipline) hassled the boys a bit about their long hair, sending them to the principal's office. Forrest High School (now Westside High School) in Jacksonville, Florida. Founding members Ronnie Van Zant (lead vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Larry Junstrom (bass) attended Nathan B.

Lynyrd skynyrd second helping