August 31, 2020

1973 — August: Lynyrd Skynyrd ”(Pronounced ’Lĕh-’nérd ’Skin-’nérd)”

41 minutes

There are only a handful of bands who seem to jump fully formed onto the scene from their debut album, and one of these is certainly Lynyrd Skynyrd with their debut studio release (Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd). Lynyrd Skynyrd is arguably the band that defines Southern rock. Originally formed as “My Backyard” in 1964, the group would take the name “Lynyrd Skynyrd” in 1969, taking the name of a PE teacher (Leonard Skinner) at Robert E. Lee High School — a teacher whose strict enforcement of school policies against boys having long hair resulted in guitarist Gary Rossington dropping out of high school. In addition to guitarist Rossington, the band consisted of front man Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Allen Collins, guitarist and bassist Ed King, keyboardist Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns.

Despite the jam band feel from songs like “Freebird,” the band itself went into the studio with their songs quite perfected, and no improvisation was allowed. The album itself is terrific, and the band vaulted into an incredible popularity after opening for The Who during their Quadrophenia tour.

Skynyrd would produce five studio albums before tragedy struck in a plane crash in 1977 that killed Van Zant, Steve Gaines, Cassie Gaines, assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, and the pilot and co-pilot. Other members of the band would suffer serious injuries.

FOTS Bill Cook brings us this iconic Southern Rock album, which happened to be the first album he ever owned.

I Ain't the One

The opening track from the album was written by Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant. It tells a story of a rich girl "tryin' to put a hook on me" when she was found to be pregnant, but "you know and I know, woman, I ain't the one."

Gimme Three Steps

The lyrics that Ronnie Van Zant penned for this well known tale are a true story. Ronnie Van Zant had a fake ID, and made the rest of the band stay in the car while he went into The Little Brown Jug in Jacksonville, Florida. He was confronted by a man with a loaded 44 after dancing with his wife, Linda Lou. Van Zant ran out to the car and wrote the lyrics on the way back to their studio.

Things Goin' On

This deeper cut is appropriate for today. It is influenced by the Muscle Shoals sound, and has a great honky tonk keyboard sound. The song is a warning about social and environmental issues, and the politicians' uncaring attitudes.

Tuesday's Gone

A slower cut, this song has become iconic over time. Stories regarding the meaning of the lyrics conflict to a great degree. Some say it is about a girl who was left behind, while others say it is about a lifestyle that was lost as the band became famous. "Train roll on many miles from my home, see, I'm riding my blues away. Tuesday, you see, she had to be free but somehow I've got to carry on."

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

“Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and the Comets

This song was part of the movie "American Graffiti," debuting in the theaters in August 1973

STAFF PICKS:

“Why Should I Care” by Beck, Bogert, & Appice

Bruce features a supergroup formed by Jeff Beck, Tim Bogert (bassist for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus), and Carmine Appice (drummer for Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and Blue Murder). The song was written by Raymond Louis Kennedy, who also wrote "Sail On, Sailor" for The Beach Boys and "Isn't It Time" by The Babys.

“Half Breed” by Cher

Rob brings us a song about a biracial girl with a white father and a native American mother, and the lack of acceptance she found from both races. Cher had some Cherokee ancestry on her mother's side.

“I Found Sunshine” by The Chi-Lites

Wayne's staff pick brings us the soulful sound of The Chi-Lites from Chi-town — Chicago. They were going to name the band "The Hi-Lites," but decided to make it "The Chi-Lites" in homage to their Chicago. The band charted 21 songs on the hot 100 throughout their career.

“Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” by Jim Croce

Bill brings the staff picks home with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jim Croce's first hit. Leroy made a pass at Doris, and her husband beat him up. Leroy Brown was based on a guy that Croce met in the army. He went AWOL from the army, but was arrested when he came back for his check. Croce knew after listening to him that he would write a song about him one day.

COMEDY TRACK:

“Uneasy Rider” by The Charlie Daniels Band

Continuing the storytelling theme, the late, great Charlie Daniels tells a story about getting stranded in a red neck bar in Mississippi.

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By Rob Marbury, Wayne Rowan, Bruce Fricks, John Lynch

4.9

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