Music Leonard Skinner dies

siberian khatru · 09-20-2010, 04:34 PM

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...B2nGQD9IBTOKG0

Lynyrd Skynyrd inspiration dies in north Florida

(AP) – 20 minutes ago

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leonard Skinner, the basketball coach and gym teacher who inspired the name of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died Monday in Florida, his daughter said. He was 77.

Skinner died in his sleep at the St. Catherine Laboure Manor in Jacksonville, where he had been living for about a year, his daughter Susie Moore said. Skinner had Alzheimer's disease.

He was working at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville in the late 1960s when he sent a group of students to the principal's office because their hair was too long. Those students later formed a band, using a variation of Skinner's name for their own.

During an interview in January 2009, Skinner said he was always bothered by the way the legend grew to say he was particularly tough on the band members or that he had kicked them out of school, according to The Florida Times-Union, which first reported Skinner's death.

"It was against the school rules," Skinner said then. "I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule."

The band became popular in the mid-1970s, with hits such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird." Three of the band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, were killed in a 1977 plane crash. The band regrouped and continues to perform today.

Years after sending the young students to the office, Skinner found his son listening to an album called "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd." The son, also named Leonard, said his father wasn't particularly impressed.

After discovering the connection, Skinner eventually made friends with some of the band members, according to the paper. They even performed at a Jacksonville bar the former coach owned.

Skinner later allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album, and he once introduced them at a Jacksonville concert.

Skinner's children said their father was never completely comfortable with being linked to the band but did grow to embrace it.

"He made a lot of new friends," Moore said. "That in itself really brought a lot of wonderful people in our family's lives, simply because they were Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, and they wanted to meet Dad. They loved him. They're part of our extended family now."

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

**Bane** · 09-20-2010, 04:35 PM

RIP.Oh wait!

Brock · 09-20-2010, 04:37 PM

A tribute.

Goldmember · 09-20-2010, 04:39 PM

Good thing their gym teacher's name wasn't Ben Dover

**bevischief** · 09-20-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldmember

Good thing their gym teacher's name wasn't Ben Dover

**Bane** · 09-20-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldmember

Good thing their gym teacher's name wasn't Ben Dover

Or Ben Gay!

**ChiTown** · 09-20-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

A tribute.

I love her beautiful tooth.

**Gadzooks** · 09-20-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goldmember

Good thing their gym teacher's name wasn't Ben Dover

The name "Ben Dover" with a confederate flag in the back ground would have been, uh... well... um.... This is 2010 right? Oh, fergit it.

booger · 09-20-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I love her beautiful tooth.

i was singing along with her up until
Does your conscience bother you? I had to stop there.

Brock · 09-20-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booger

i was singing along with her up until
Does your conscience bother you? I had to stop there.

**Smed1065** · 09-20-2010, 04:50 PM

Wow!

Nice, Tribute.

You all can kiss my mullet.

**Smed1065** · 09-20-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

The name "Ben Dover" with a confederate flag in the back ground would have been, uh... well... um.... This is 2010 right? Oh, fergit it.

Maybe it was reality?

Nice English.

**Gadzooks** · 09-20-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smed1065

Maybe it was reality?

Nice English.

Hello, English.

MichaelH · 09-20-2010, 04:58 PM

Neil Young will be relieved.

**Gadzooks** · 09-20-2010, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelH

Neil Young will be relieved.

Apparently, they were friends but Ronnie sure talked a lot a shit aboot Neil.

09-20-2010, 04:34 PM
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2584950	Leonard Skinner dies http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...B2nGQD9IBTOKG0 Lynyrd Skynyrd inspiration dies in north Florida (AP) – 20 minutes ago JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Leonard Skinner, the basketball coach and gym teacher who inspired the name of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died Monday in Florida, his daughter said. He was 77. Skinner died in his sleep at the St. Catherine Laboure Manor in Jacksonville, where he had been living for about a year, his daughter Susie Moore said. Skinner had Alzheimer's disease. He was working at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville in the late 1960s when he sent a group of students to the principal's office because their hair was too long. Those students later formed a band, using a variation of Skinner's name for their own. During an interview in January 2009, Skinner said he was always bothered by the way the legend grew to say he was particularly tough on the band members or that he had kicked them out of school, according to The Florida Times-Union, which first reported Skinner's death. "It was against the school rules," Skinner said then. "I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule." The band became popular in the mid-1970s, with hits such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird." Three of the band members, including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, were killed in a 1977 plane crash. The band regrouped and continues to perform today. Years after sending the young students to the office, Skinner found his son listening to an album called "Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd." The son, also named Leonard, said his father wasn't particularly impressed. After discovering the connection, Skinner eventually made friends with some of the band members, according to the paper. They even performed at a Jacksonville bar the former coach owned. Skinner later allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album, and he once introduced them at a Jacksonville concert. Skinner's children said their father was never completely comfortable with being linked to the band but did grow to embrace it. "He made a lot of new friends," Moore said. "That in itself really brought a lot of wonderful people in our family's lives, simply because they were Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, and they wanted to meet Dad. They loved him. They're part of our extended family now." Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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09-20-2010, 04:35 PM	#2
Bane C.H.I.E.F.S Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: **** your face Casino cash: $10005055	RIP.Oh wait! Attached Thumbnails
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09-20-2010, 04:37 PM	#3
Brock Say hello to my little friend Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Larryville Casino cash: $9598422	A tribute.
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09-20-2010, 04:39 PM	#4
Goldmember You GOTTA get it done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern California Casino cash: $9856738	Good thing their gym teacher's name wasn't Ben Dover
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09-20-2010, 04:50 PM	#11
Smed1065 Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Returning From Hell Casino cash: $8013673	Wow! Nice, Tribute. You all can kiss my mullet.
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09-20-2010, 04:58 PM	#14
MichaelH Go Chiefs! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Gastonia, North Carolina Casino cash: $9312006	Neil Young will be relieved.
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