Entertainment

Where Did Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Name Come From? A Gym Teacher Of Course.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut self-titled album released on this day 48 years ago - August 13, 1973. And where did the band’s name come from you ask? A gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL.

Leonard Skinner was a no-nonsense, flat-topped basketball coach whose name will forever be linked to the iconic rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd. Funny part about Skinner? He didn’t even like rock ‘n’ roll. In fact, he often sent students to the principal’s office because their hair was too long.

One of those long haired kids was guitarist Gary Rossington. Him and the other founding members named their band Lynyrd Skynyrd in a sort-of tongue-in-cheek inspiration to the old gym teacher.

Skinner’s son ended up being a fan of the band & recalled his father not approving of the music. He ended up coming around...a little.

While he (Leonard Skinner) wasn’t a fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s music -- his son recalled him asking, “What the hell kind of noise are you listening to?” when he heard them -- the group and the gym coach later became friends.

—  Florida Times Union


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