Leonard Skinner (1933-2010)

[Jaxson]

Lynyrd Skynyrd's Inspirational Namesake Passes Away at Age 77

Posted on Sep 20th 2010 7:20PM by Benjy Eisen

A part of rock 'n roll history has become just that -- history -- with the passing of Leonard Skinner, the inspirational namesake for the band Lynyrd Skynyrd. In a bit of Southern Rock mythology, musicologists will recall that Mr. Skinner was a former gym teacher who sent one of his students, Gary Rossington (pictured), to the principle's office for having long hair. It was against school rules. But Rossington wasn't just a troublemaker -- he was also an aspiring guitarist.

According to the Florida Times-Union newspaper, years later, around 1973, Mr. Skinner's son -- also Leonard -- was listening to the debut album by a then-upcoming rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, when his dad asked why he was listening to such noise. The name of the album? 'Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd.'

Shortly thereafter, Skinner learned the guitarist, one of his former students, had actually punked him by naming the band after him. Little did anybody guess that it would become a household name for generations to come. While the original intent may have been a humorous and harmless way of enacting revenge -- and while Skinner was reportedly never fully comfortable with the weird homage -- there was no ill will between band and namesake.

In fact, Skinner even capitalized on the association by naming several bars that he owned after himself (and, er, the band). For their part, at a concert in their collective hometown of Jacksonville, Fla., Lynyrd Skynyrd invited him onstage to announce them. What's more, with his permission, they used his Leonard Skinner Realty sign in the sleeve of their third album, 1975's 'Nuthin' Fancy,' and Skynyrd fans, generally, embraced him. More than a few of them even took to calling the number on the realty sign only to be amazed when Skinner himself actually answered. So what started off as a practical joke evolved into a lifelong association and an unexpected -- if slightly awkward -- bond between an ex-gym teacher and one of his rowdy students.

Skinner passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday morning, at the age of 77. Our thoughts, as well as those of the Lynyrd Skynyrd community, go out to his family during this time. And while the mock version of his name will live on through the band, the man himself has become a permanent part of rock 'n' roll lore and, hence, music history.

Source: http://www.spinner.com/2010/09/20/lynyrd-skynyrd-namesake-Leonard-Skinner-passes-away-at-age-77/

[hanjin1]

for some reason his name sounds familiar???

[samiam]

Heres to you Mr skinner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0solnL1XY

[buckethead]

A nice read. RIP Coach.

[Jaxson]

A local legend. 

[iluvolives]

A little national exposure for Jville- this story is on front page of CNN.com
http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/Music/09/21/lynyrd.skynyrd.inspiration/index.html?hpt=T2

[BridgeTroll]

Brian Williams also did a piece on NBC last night...  You do have to endure a 30 second commercial first...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/39278133#39278133

[Coolyfett]

Was the School Forrest or Lee?? What school did he coach at?

[heights unknown]

Quite a loss for the band I'm sure; just think, if they had never met the coach they may not have been as famous; I am sure they would have made it, but possibly not to the extent that they did; the name was unusual and catching.

"HU"

[I-10east]

Was the School Forrest or Lee?? What school did he coach at?

He coached at Lee.