LEONARD SKINNER (1933-2010)
GYM TEACHER INSPIRED ROCK MONIKER FOR LYNYRD SKYNYRD
You have to wonder if the band will be attending the funeral. Perhaps they will play.
Leonard Skinner was a Jacksonville, Florida, high school gym teacher and coach died at age 77 September 20th of Alzheimer's disease. he earned a place in rock history in the late 1960s at Robert E. Lee High School after he sent students to the OFFICE because of the length of their hair. At least one of them was a future member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In 2009, Mr. Skinner explained that the long hair was against school rules, "I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule." His daughter, Susie Moore, described him as a disciplinarian, "There was right and there was wrong and you'd better not deviate."
he was born Forby Leonard Skinner on Jan. 11, 1933 in Jacksonville and graduated from lee High. He served in the Army and graduated from Florida State in 1957.
He was no fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd's music, but stayed connected with them through the years. The band had several names before settling on their sarcastic tribute to Mr. Skinner. Lynyrd Skynyrd had quite a few hots in the 1970s including "Sweet Home Alabama" and, of course, "Free Bird."
Three band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant were killed in a 1977 plane crash.
In 2009, Mr. Skinner said, "They were good, talented hard-working boys. They worked hard, lived hard and boozed hard."
So, It Comes to This.
From September 22nd Chicago Tribune.
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