I left off on my first post about my trip to the Waldorf Astoria to see some old friends and I want to finish on my thoughts on how hard it was for Lynyrd Skynyrd to get there. After being invited to Cleveland Ohio, to view Skynyrd’s new display on the third floor of Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, (this was about 2 years ago). The employee of the HOF was showing me around and talking to me about the display. Allen’s, Gary’s and Steve’s guitars and Leon’s guitar and one of his many hats. A jacket of Ronnie’s and also one of Gary’s. There were some clothes that the Honkettes wore. And my favorite, Ronnie’s white hat. Up above the hat was the photo of Ronnie signing autographs in Altamonte Springs, FL on Oct 17, 1977. Bobby Sanders was getting his poster signed I was standing behind Ronnie in this rare photo. I was awed that this photo was selected to be on display in HOF. Then I started thinking how hard it was for these guys to make it all the way to HOF. As little boys, Ronnie, Gary, Bob,and Larry Junstrum, who had moved to 38 special, and new bass player Leon Wilkeson, these boys had nothing to start with but the desire to make it in the music business. Gary had no father, Allen’s father had divorced his mother when he was very young. Leon and Bob and Ronnie had mothers and fathers. Ronnie’s mother who was called sister took the responsibility of caring for all these needs from the time they were young and continued even while they were a successful band. Ronnie averaged about 3 years older than the other boys. Ronnie got his first wife pregnant when he was 16 years old. They got married and Ronnie had to get a real job. Ronnie’s brother-in-law owned a auto part business. Ronnie was parts manager and I delivered the parts. This was late 60′s. This being married did not discourage Ronnie from his musical dreams. He would work all day late into the night. They played dances, teen clubs, and any where else they could. Ronnie also left school before he graduated around 66′ or 67′. His oldest daughter was born in 1967. It seemed the boys practiced all the time. They were so noisy they were constantly moving. From Bob’s house to Larry’s house to Mandarin on the south side. Finally ending up at the Hell House in Green Cove Springs, where most of their songs would come together. They began practice early and ran late into the night. About this time Ed King join in and “Sweet Home Alabama” soon followed. Ed King was the wizard behind SHA. I believe Ed has talked about his time at Hell House on several occasions. This is where Ronnie heard a true professional musician live and close up. Ed is a true master at his art. Ronnie’s marriage to Nadine did not last like most marriages in Rock & Roll. Too many parties, too many women, and too much time away. The Band was playing in Downtown Jacksonville at a bar called Comic Book Club. There was a dancer cocktail waitress who started hanging out with the boys when Allman Bros were not in town. She was a close friend of Dickie Betts. After a short while she and Ronnie began dating which led to them moving in together. She made good money and helped Ronnie and the band buy equipment, and traveling expenses. She was a big help, allowing the band to continue playing their music. Eventually they got married and had a little girl. With her help it made it easier for the boys to achieve their goal. Billy Powell had joined at this time and it was very hard with out her help for the band to keep going. But they had great crew members from the start, Dean Kilpatrick and Craig Reed. What I am trying to say standing in front of this display I realize just how hard it was for the Band to make it. Only for a few of them to truly enjoy their true fame and fortune. And that is truly sad if you knew them when they were bare foot and had nothing. I am truly honored to have been there when the fish were not biting and the times were really good. The true spirit of Lynyrd Skynyrd is the old music they left behind. If an induction into the HOF was based on how hard a band worked they would have been eligible in the 60′s. Ronnie, Steve, Cassie, Dean, Allen, Leon and Billy’s  spirit is alive in all Lynyrd Skynyrd Fans who keep the music alive.

Gene Odom

LYNYRD SKYNYRD DOCUMENTARY