Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock
by Gene Odom, Frank Dorman
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Book Summary Information
Author: Frank Dorman, Gene OdomEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-10-14
ISBN: 0767910273
Number of pages: 272
Publisher: Three Rivers Press
Book Reviews of Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock
Book Review: A no-frills bio of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Summary: 4 Stars
Gene Odom explains how this book came about. After the first of his books was published, he was hoping that someone would write a more detailed account of the band. When those hopes weren't realized, he wrote this book.
The Prologue recounted some of the mechanical problems with the plane on the band's last few trips on tour leading up to the crash.
This book had a lot of trivia type information about Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Some of that information was:
*The source of the band's name,which is already widely-known.
*Explains what the "bullets" in "Give Me Back My Bullets" actually were.
*Who Curtis Lowe was.
*The source for some of the lyrics, "Freebird" comes to mind.
*The real reason behind the mention of Neil Young in "Sweet Home Alabama" and Young's reaction to it.
*The identity of "the Swampers" from "Sweet Home Alabama."
*Some of the musical influences on various band members were listed.
This is an entertaining book that details some of the growing pains of early Lynyrd Skynyrd. He tells of the revolving door of members and some of the contributions those members made. Paticularly Ed King and Ricky Medlocke, who rejoined the latest version of the band. The many bass players that were involved over time and the dynamic additions of Steve Gaines and the female backup singers.
The guidance from Al Kooper in the studio proved beneficial for the band.
The rare, close partnership of Gary Rossington and Allen Collins really made the Skynyrd sound what it was from early on.
The work ethic was lengendary and brutal. Ronnie Van Zant's financial management skills were detailed. He was the leader and the authors spend more time reminiscing about Van Zant because of it. I don't think that's detrimental to the book.
The authors also told of some of the contemporary bands that Lynyrd Skynyrd had ties with, most notably the Allman Brothers Band and many musicians in the area.
Another interesting aspect of the band was how Ronnie Van Zant went about putting the band together.
"Lynyrd Skynyrd:Remembering the Freebirds of Rock" is a no-frills book and it doesn't ignore ugly issues like drug use or the fights. None of the band members were saints. They were a very talented group of musicians that had the right music at precisely the right time.
Gene Odom ends the book with the crash, the aftermath, and the events leading up to the reforming of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
He also discusses three main theories on what could have caused the airplane to run out of fuel. That's a mystery in itself. The tragedy didn't end at the plane crash as surviving members have suffered various deaths and troubles later on.
This is an entertaining biography of one of the classic southern rock bands that would be enjoyed by any Lynyrd Skynyrd fan.
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