Podcast Episode Details

Ronnie Van Zant, Fallen Free Bird (Part Two)

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Ronnie Van Zant, the eternal Free Bird

Heading into the recording studio, Skynyrd added two important elements to the band.  Ed King met Skynyrd when they were the warmup band for The Strawberry Alarm Clock.  King had written this group’s top ten one hit wonder “Incense and Peppermint,” and jumped at the chance to be the third guitar in Skynyrd’s unique three lead guitar makeup.

Ed King would eventually be replaced by the brother of backup singer Cassie Gaines.  Steve Gaines was struggling to make a living with obscure Midwestern bands when Ronnie finally agreed to let him play a few songs in a mid 1976 concert appearance.  Gaines was impressive and fit in neatly with the three guitar concept and formally joined Skynyrd in time for their live album, “One More From the road,” recorded live at Atlanta’s Fox theater in July of 1976.  Uncharacteristically, he was not a heavy drinker or drug abuser

Bob Burns had been replaced by a 6’ 2”, 200 pound ex-marine named Artimus Pyle, who provided even more personality to the lineup.  Van Zant once commented, “We keep him in a cage and feed him raw meat and only let him out when it is time to play.”

Published on 7 years, 2 months ago