Post by jacksonvillekid on Mar 14, 2007 13:42:38 GMT -5
1964
Ronnie Van Zant hits a line drive that strikes Bob Burns in the head, who was watching the game with Gary Rossington. Burns is knocked unconscious but the three became friends and have a common interest in music. They soon form a band along with Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom. That fall 'The Noble Five' plays their first gig for $10.
1965
The core of Lynyrd Skynyrd- singer Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Gary Rossington, guitarist Allen Collins, bassist Leon Wilkeson, and drummer Bob Burns- is formed at a high school in Jacksonville, FL, initially as the group, 'My Backyard.' The name is later changed to Lynyrd Skynyrd to immortalize school gym teacher Leonard Skinner, a legendary antagonist of longhaired students. Ronnie Van Zant enters into a brief marriage with Nadine.
1966
Ronnie and Nadine's daughter, Tammy Michelle is born.
1968
Lynyrd Skynyrd records 'Michelle' and 'Need All My Friends.' The latter is released as their debut single on Shade Tree Records, a label based in their hometown.
1969
Lynyrd Skynyrd wins a battle of the bands contest in Hemming Park located in Jacksonville, FL. Lacy Van Zant (Ronnie's father) drives the band to Atlanta to record two songs as the prize. They record 'Sthingyful' and 'Michelle.' Lacy also gives them $120 for a Bogan PA for vocals.
1970
Allen Collins marries Kathy Johns. The band starts rehearsing at Hell House. By this time all the members have dropped out of Robert E. Lee High School. Before a gig at Jay's Forest Inn, Ronnie Van Zant introduces the band as Leonard Skinner, a high school gym teacher who tormented them for their long hair. They later change the spelling to Lynyrd Skynyrd. Roadie Billy Powell joins the band as keyboardist. The band asks to be let out of their contract with Shade Tree Records.
1971
Bob Burns leaves the band and is replaced by Rickey Medlocke. In January Lynyrd Skynyrd record their demo album at Quinvy Studios in Muscle Shoals. Larry Junstrom leaves the band.
1972
On November 18th Ronnie Van Zant marries Judy Seymour Rickey Medlocke leaves the band and Bob Burns returns. Leon Wilkeson replaces Larry Junstrom.
1973
The debut album 'Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd' is released and goes gold. In November they open for The Who on their 'Quadrophenia' tour. At Funochios, an Atlanta club, Al Kooper notices Lynyrd Skynyrd and signs them to his Sounds Of The South label. Rickey Medlocke rejoins the band giving them two drummers, but leaves the band soon after. Leon Wilkeson leaves the band but soon rejoins. Ed King joins the band as bass player but later switches to guitar.
1974
The band releases their second effort, 'Second Helping,' which spawns their first charting U.S. single 'Sweet Home Alabama.' The song is seen as a southerner's response to Neil Young's 1971 song 'Southern Man.' The single reaches #8 on the charts, with the album itself hitting #12 (earning yet another gold disc)
1975
The band releases their third album, 'Nuthin Fancy,' and it goes gold. The single from the album is 'Saturday Night Special.' 'Freebird' is re-released as a single, and garners notable national airplay, reaching the top 20 in the charts. The band embarks on 'The Torture Tour.' Bob Burns leaves the band. Ed King leaves the band. Artimus Pyle joins the band. The Honkettes, comprised of Leslie Hawkins, JoJo Billingsley and Cassie Gaines become a part of the band. The band tours the UK for the first time in support of the group Golden Earring.
1976
In September, Gary Rossington is injured in a car accident in Jacksonville, which inspires 'That Smell.' Steve Gaines joins the band. The new effort, 'Gimme Back My Bullets'- produced by Tom Dowd- will reach Top 20 and become the band's fourth consecutive gold record. 'One More For The Road' release becomes the group's largest-selling album of their career thus far with over a million copies sold. The live version of 'Freebird' will once again chart. The response in the UK is such that the band will perform alongside the Rolling Stones, amongst others, at the Knebworth Festival. The band tours with The Rolling Stones.
1977
Ronnie Van Zant and Allen Collins present a platinum album awarded them for 'One More For The Road' to the Mayor of Atlanta, in appreciation of the band's Atlanta fans. Another album would be presented to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta where the album was recorded. 'Street Survivors,' The band's second platinum selling record is released. On October 20th, tragedy would strike the band as Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines (Steve's sister and one of Skynyrd's back-up singers), and road manager Dean Kilpatrick are killed when the band's rented plane (short on fuel) crashes into a swamp in Gillsburg, Mississippi, while en route to a gig at Louisiana University. Rossington, Collins, Powell, Wilkeson, and Leslie Hawkins, are all seriously injured but survive the crash. Out of courtesy and good judgement MCA Records withdraws the sleeve of the just released album 'Street Survivors,' which pictures the group standing in flames. The album will become the band's second platinum selling album, hitting #5 on the U.S. album chart.
1978
A single , 'What's Your Name,' from the album titled 'Street Survivors' escalates up the charts to the #13 position, while another single, 'You Got That Right' follows suit by also charting. The band will release another album, 'Skynyrd's First and Last,' which contains previously unreleased recordings from 1970-1972. It will also go platinum, marking the third consecutive album to do so for the band.
1979
MCA releases a double compilation album 'Gold and Platinum.' Surviving members of the band, with the exception of Artimus Pyle, form the Rossington-Collins Band, fronted by Dale Krantz.
1980
The debut album by the Rossington-Collins band, 'Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere' will feature the single 'Don't Misunderstand Me,' and will achieve gold status. Lynyrd Skynyrd's double compilation, 'Gold and Platinum' ascends into the Top 15 and also becomes double platinum. This will total four consecutive platinum albums for the band. Allen Collins' wife Kathy dies.
1981
The Rossington-Collins Band releases their second album, 'This Is The Way,' which is dedicated to Allen Collin's wife, Kathy, who died a year earlier. Although garnering considerable acclaim the album will be the last by the band.
1982
Gary Rossington and Dale Krantz marry in July. In December, Lynyrd Skynyrd releases 'Best Of The Rest,' a compilation of rare tracks and outtakes.
1984
The remaining members of The Rossington-Collins Band begin planning a band of their own which becomes the Allen Collins Band.
1986
Gary and Dale Rossington form a band called Rossington. Their album 'Returned To The Scene Of The Crime' is released on Atlantic Records. Allen Collins runs his car off the road in a crash that will leave him paralyzed from the waist down. The crash took the life of his girlfriend.
1987
MCA Records would release the album 'Legend.' The compilation-produced by Tom Dowd- will contain previous B-sides, as well as unreleased and uncompleted songs by the original Lynyrd Skynyrd. A new Lynyrd Skynyrd is formed in September comprising Rossington, Powell, Pyle, Wilkeson, King, Johnny Van Zant (vocals), Randall Hall ( a long-time friend of the band and member of The Allen Collins Band), along with Dale Krantz Rossington and Carol Bristow on background vocals. The band makes their first public appearance at the Charlie Daniel's Volunteer Jam XIII and will eventually perform more than 30 dates on a reunion tour, marking the tenth anniversary of the fatal plane crash.
1988
'Southern By Grace Of God,' a double live album featuring tracks recorded on the recent tour, would be released on MCA Records.
1989
MCA releases a Lynyrd Skynyrd greatest hits package titled 'Skynyrds Innyrds.'
1990
Allen Collins dies of respiratory failure caused by pneumonia, a complication of his paralysis.
1991
The band releases 'Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991' marking their return to the recording studio, the first new material in over 14 years. Again produced by Tom Dowd, it left no doubt that one of rock and rolls greatest bands was back with a vengeance. It featured the tracks, 'Smokestack Lightning,' 'Keeping The Faith,' 'Southern Women,' and 'Pure and Simple.'
1992
Artimus Pyle leaves the band, citing personal differences.
1993
Atlantic Records releases the album, 'Last Rebel,' which comes out twenty years after their first album. Kurt Custer joins the band as drummer. Leon's good friend and former bassist of The Rossington Band, Timmy Lindsey, stood in for Leon from June thru the end of that year, during the Last Rebel Tour. Leon was unable to be with the band for health reasons during that time.
1994
Lynyrd Skynyrd releases their first completely acoustic album, 'Endangered Species,' on Capricorn Records.
1995
Ed King becomes ill with congestive heart failure and leaves the band. 'Freebird . . . The Movie' premieres in Atlanta.
1996
The band signs a multi-album agreement with CMC International Records. Rickey Medlocke of Blackfoot rejoins the band, this time as guitarist. Hughie Thomasson of the Outlaws is also added as guitarist.
1997
'Twenty,' the debut for CMC, is released on April 29th to be followed by a world tour.
1998
Johnny Van Zant teams up with brother Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special for 'Brother to Brother,' a long awaited collaboration of these two surviving members of one of American rock's royal families. CMC Records releases 'Lyve From Steeltown' a double CD of newly recorded Skynyrd classics and recent Skynyrd hits along with its accompanying home video. The enhanced CD includes interviews as well as music; an extra bonus for their fans. Michale Cartellone replaces Owen Hale as drummer.
1999
'Edge of Forever' and '20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best Of Lynyrd Skynyrd' are released. Lynyrd Skynyrd hit the road for the summer on the heels of the past summer's hugely successful tour. The band ends the 20th century on a national tour with ZZ Top.
2000
'Then And Now' is released. Lynyrd Skynyrd headlines a summer tour as well as embarking on their first European tour in 3 and a half years. Their first Christmas album, 'Christmas Time Again,' is completed in July and hit the stores in November.
2001
Lynyrd Skynyrd hits the road again on a North American tour with Deep Purple and Ted Nugent. On July 27th, bassist Leon Wilkeson passes away in his sleep in a hotel room near Jacksonville, FL. Ean Evans, a long time friend of the band, joins as the new bass player. RIAA certifies that the band has sold more than 23 million records.
2002
CMC Records International (now called Sanctuary Records) releases 'Turn It Up,' a compilation of Lynyrd Skynyrd tunes.
2003
Lynyrd Skynyrd celebrates their 30th anniversary by releasing 'Vicious Cycle' on May 6th, their first studio album in three years. Gibson Custom Art and Historic Division releases the Limited Edition Gary Rossington Les Paul guitar.
2004
The band tours heavily to celebrate 30 years of Hard Rockin'. Lynyrd Skynyrd LYVE is released. Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers Band join forces for the first time to Co-Headline 10 shows. In August of 2004 Lacy Van Zant, often referred to as the 'Father Of Southern Rock,' passes away at the age of 89.
2006
The band is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame!!!
lynyrdskynyrd.com/
_________________________
Another timeline:
July 15, 1948: Drummer Thomas Delmar “Artimus” Pyle, who joined Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1974, is born in Louisville, Kentucky.
January 15, 1949: Ronnie Van Zant, vocalist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is born in Jacksonville, Florida.
September 14, 1949: Ed King, guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Steve Gaines, who replaced him in 1976, are born on the same day.
December 4, 1951: Gary Rossington, guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is born in Jacksonville, Florida.
April 2, 1952: Leon Wilkeson, bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is born in Jacksonville, Florida.
June 3, 1952: Billy Powell, pianist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is born in Jacksonville, Florida.
July 19, 1952: Guitarist Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd is born in Jacksonville Florida.
1972: Lynyrd Skynyrd records a full album at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield, Alabama. It will remain unreleased until 1978, when it is issued (with some overdubbing) as Skynyrd’s First and...Last.
April 3, 1973: Lynyrd Skynyrd records the classic “Free Bird” at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, during sessions for its debut album, “pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd.”
August 13, 1973: Lynyrd Skynyrd releases “pronounced leh-nerd skin-nerd.” It joins the Allman Brothers Bands’ Brothers and Sisters, released the same month, in igniting the Southern-rock craze.
November 1973: Lynyrd Skynyrd opens for the Who at San Francisco’s Cow Palace. It is the first date on the Who’s Quadrophenia tour, for which they’re the opening act.
April 15, 1974: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Second Helping is released.
August 24, 1974: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s first Top Forty single, “Sweet Home Alabama,” enters the charts, where it will peak at #8.
October 1974: Drummer Artimus Pyle (who replaces Bob Burns) debuts with Lynyrd Skynyrd at a in Jacksonville, Florida.
January 4, 1975: “Free Bird,” originally released on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 debut album, makes its belated appearance in the Top Forty, where it will peak at #20.
March 24, 1975: Lynyrd Skynyrd releases Nuthin’ Fancy, their third album - and the last one produced by Al Kooper, who’d discovered and signed them.
May 27, 1975: After a show in Pittsburgh, guitarist Ed King leaves Lynyrd Skynyrd in the middle of a raucous live outing dubbed the “Torture Tour.” They finish the tour as a six-piece and replace King with Steve Gaines in 1976.
July 1976: Lynyrd Skynyrd performs a three-night stand at Atlanta, Georgia’s Fox Theatre. Highlights are culled for One More from the Road, a live double album released in September.
October 9, 1977: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s fifth studio album, Street Survivors, is released. The cover shows the group engulfed in flames, and “That Smell” contains the line “The smell of death surrounds you.”
October 20, 1977: Lynyrd Skynyrd’s tour plane, Free Bird, crashes in a field near Gillsburg, Mississippi, killing group members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines, as well as their road manager and two pilots. Twenty other passengers are taken to the hospital with various injuries.
January 7, 1978: “What’s Your Name,” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, enters the Top Forty three months after the plane crash that killed three group members. It will peak at #13.
January 1979: Surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunite for a one-off performance at Charlie Daniels’ fifth annual Volunteer Jam.
September 1987: The surviving members of Lynyrd Skynyrd - joined by guitarist Randall Hall and the late Ronnie Van Zant’s younger brother Johnny - begin a tribute tour on the tenth anniversary of the plane crash that claimed three band members’ lives.
March 21, 1988: Southern by the Grace of God, a double live album recorded by Lynyrd Skynyrd on the previous year’s tribute tour, is released.
January 23, 1990: Allen Collins, guitarist and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, dies at 37 of pneumonia. He’d been confined to a wheelchair since an automobile accident in 1986.
July 17, 1991: Lynyrd Skynyrd kicks off a world tour on the heels of the reconstituted band’s first studio album (Lynyrd Skynyrd 1991) in fourteen years. The first date is in Baton Rouge, where they were slated to play when their plane crashed in1977, thus completing a bit of unfinished business.
November 12, 1991: The plainly titled three-disc box set Lynyrd Skynyrd is released. It mixes hit songs and popular album tracks with rarities, live versions and demos.
April 29, 1997: Lynyrd Skynyrd releases Twenty on the 20th anniversary of the plane crash that killed three band members. The album inaugurates a long-term relationship with C&C International and its parent company, Sanctuary Records.
July 27, 2001: Leon Wilkeson, bass player and founding member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, dies of natural causes at home in Jacksonville, Florida.
May 20, 2003: Lynyrd Skynyrd releases Vicious Cycle, their first studio album in five years, which comes forty years after their first album.
March 13, 2006: Lynyrd Skynyrd is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the 21st annual induction dinner. tk is their presenter.
www.rockhall.com/inductee/lynyrd-skynyrd
(LOTS of info missing here.....but kind of interesting anyway)
Thats pretty bad that i live here and don't know what road and where the tree is.
I think we'd have better luck finding it in your video because I've tried googling. Maybe your video is where I heard the address in the first place. I've got a copy, I'll take a look. Seems to me that Gene talked about that and pointed it out......maybe?