Two for Tuesday

From Jacksonville to Legend: Exploring Lynyrd Skynyrd's Debut Album

• Michael Pezent • Season 1 • Episode 12

Share episode

On this episode of The Two for Tuesday Podcast, we take a trip back to Jacksonville, Florida and explore the origins of one of Southern rock’s most legendary bands — Lynyrd Skynyrd.
We dive deep into the making of their debut studio album, Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd, and uncover the stories behind its creation, from the band’s early days and Al Kooper’s discovery, to the raw, live-in-the-room approach they used in the studio.

Then, we put the spotlight on two of the album’s most powerful songs:

🔥 “Tuesday’s Gone” — a heartfelt ballad born out of change and loss, elevated by a one-take drum track and the haunting touch of a Mellotron.
🔥 “Simple Man” — a timeless Southern rock anthem based on the real-life advice Ronnie Van Zant received from his mother about staying grounded, honest, and true.

Whether you’re a longtime Skynyrd fan or discovering this album for the first time, this episode brings you the stories behind the music — plus full performance tributes of both songs

Link to Michael's performance of these two songs are on the 2nd Round Music YouTube Channel

Send us a text

Support the show

Michael Pezent:

Well, hey there, friends, and welcome back to the Two for Tuesday Podcast brought to you by 2nd Round Music, where every week we take a closer look into the stories behind some of the greatest music ever made and, of course, we shine the spotlight on two songs that stand out above the rest. On two songs that stand out above the rest. I'm your host, Michael Pezent, and today we're taking a road trip from Jacksonville, Florida, to Doraville, Georgia, circa early 1970s, and we're going to talk about the birth of one of the most influential southern rock bands of all time, Lynard Skynard. So today we won't get into the Skinner history from start to finish. We're going to save that for a later date. But today we're going to talk about, in my opinion, one of the greatest southern rock albums of all time. Now, before they were selling out arenas and playing free bird to screaming crowds, they were just a bunch of high school kids with a rebellious streak and a whole lot of drive. And in 1973, they released their first album, a record that didn't just put them on the map, it defined their sound for years to come. And that album Pronounced Lynyrd, Skynyrd. Yeah, even the title had a personality. And today we're going to dig deep into the making of that record, the road that led to it, the people behind the scenes, the challenges and the moments of magic in the studio. And then we'll zoom in on two of the album's standout tracks and a couple of my favorites Tuesday's Gone and Simple Man. So grab a glass of sweet tea, or maybe something stronger if that's your poison, and let's head back to where it all began Now.

Michael Pezent:

Leonard Skinner's story actually starts well before 1973, and their roots go all the way back to 1964. But it wasn't until 1967 when Ronnie Van Zandt, Alan Collins and Gary Rossington first started jamming together in Jacksonville, florida, along with drummer Bob Burns and bassist Larry Gunstrom. Now, at the time, they weren't even called Leonard Skinner. The band went through a bunch of names, as a matter of fact Names like my Backyard, the Noble Five and One Percent. But by 1968, well, Ronnie decided it's time for the band to get a new name, because some of the audiences would taunt them by calling them 1% Talent. But by 1970, they settled on by the suggestion of Bob Burns on the name Lynard Skynard, a mocking tribute to Leonard Skinner, their high school PE teacher, who gave them a hard time for having long hair Skinner harassed the guys so bad that Gary Rossington actually quit school. The spelling, of course, was exaggerated to be more stylish and kind of match that southern drawl, and it was also adopted in 1969 as their official name.

Michael Pezent:

Now their sound was a mix of rock, blues and country with a whole lot of grit. Think of the Rolling Stones meets Muddy Waters with a southern twist. But in those days they were mostly a regional act. They played bars and festivals and some small clubs around the south, but they hadn't broken it nationally. But that all changed thanks to a stroke of luck or was it fate? In 1972, Al Cooper, the man who played with Bob Dylan and founded Blood, Sweat and Tears, a jazz rock band from New York City, caught one of their sets at a club in Atlanta and he was so impressed that he signed them to MCA Records under his Sounds of the South label. Cooper would also go on to produce this album.

Michael Pezent:

So before we jump into the recording of Pronounced, let's listen to a sponsored message and I'll catch you on the other side. Are you ready to take control of your finances and build a brighter future? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired, feeling broke all the time, my name is Michael Pezent, a certified Master Coach, and I created 2nd Round Financial to provide personalized financial coaching based on the proven principles of Dave Ramsey's Seven Baby Steps. Our services include, but are not limited to, one-on-one financial coaching through Zoom conference or face-to-face budgeting strategies, debt reduction plans, emergency fund creation, retirement planning and investment guidance. But why choose us? Because we believe in empowering our clients with the knowledge and tools they need to achieve financial peace. With our guidance, you'll gain clarity over your financial situation, develop a realistic and achievable plan, and experience hope and confidence in your financial future. I have over 15 years' experience teaching and guiding families in the Ramsey Principles, along with a degree in finance and work experience in the banking and insurance industries. So let's get started today. Work experience in the banking and insurance industries so let's get started today. Go to 2ndroundfinancial. com and click book now to schedule your free consultation today.

Michael Pezent:

The recording session of Pronounced took place in a studio called Studio One in Doraville, Georgia. Now. The band's lineup at that time was Ronnie Van Zandt on lead vocals, obviously Gary Rossington and Alan Collins on guitar, Ed King was actually on the bass and he played some guitar on some of the tracks, Billy Powell played piano and keys and Bob Burns played the drums. Al Cooper, their producer well now, he also played bass on some tracks and he also played an instrument called a Mellotron, along with singing some harmonies on some of the tracks also.

Michael Pezent:

Now, from the start, Ronnie Van Zandt was the leader in the studio, but he had a philosophy too. He liked to sing songs in just a few takes to keep the performances raw and real, and he believed that over-rehearsing or polishing things too much would strip the soul out of the music. I kind of agree with that. Now, the sessions were laid back, but they weren't lazy. This band worked hard to capture the energy of their live shows and they also had a rule If it didn't give you goosebumps, well, it wasn't good enough.

Michael Pezent:

The album's mix of two and three guitar interplay song lyrics and Southern pride well, it set it apart from anything else that was coming out at the time. And when it was released on August 13th of 1973, it wasn't an instant chart topper. But word did spread fast and critics noticed the band's authenticity and slowly it began to catch fire. But its biggest push came from a friendship between Al Cooper and the who guitarist, pete Townsend. Now that relationship brought about Lynard Skynard being the opening act on The Who's Quadrophenia Tour. This would take them from being a regional band to exposing them to much larger audiences, larger than anything they had seen before, and they also became a much more national act.

Michael Pezent:

Now let's talk about one of the most beautiful and surprisingly bittersweet tracks on this album Tuesday's Gone. This is the second track on Pronounced and it stands out from the band's harder-edged songs because it's slow and almost has a mournful feel to it. It's a ballad about change, loss and moving on, and it was deeply personal for Ronnie Van Zandt. At the time Ronnie was dealing with a breakup of a relationship and the song reflects that sense of something slipping away. But Tuesday, well, it wasn't necessarily a person, it was more of a metaphor of that feeling you get when you know a chapter in your life is closing.

Michael Pezent:

Now Ronnie co-wrote this song with fellow bandmate and guitarist Alan Collins. Now, one of the track's signature touches comes from producer Al Cooper, who added this Mellotron strings to give it this haunting kind of orchestral feel. And now B ob Burns didn't play the drums. That was done by Robert Mix of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, who was a friend of the band at the time. And get this he played this song in one continuous take, no edits, no cut-ins.

Michael Pezent:

Tuesday's Gone became a fan favorite but it never actually charted as a single. Still, it's been covered by bands like Metallica and it's kept alive on classic rock radio ever since. It's a perfect example of how Skynard could rock it out hard but also tug at your heart.

Michael Pezent:

Mama told me that I was young. Sit beside me, my only son. Now, if Tuesday's Gone is about letting go, simple man is about holding on to values, to roots and to wisdom passed down through the generations. .

Michael Pezent:

Simple man was Al inspired by a real conversation between Ronnie Van Man Zandt and guitarist Gary Rossington. See, ronnie's grandmother had passed away and his mother, lacey Van Zandtist Gary Rossington. See, ronnie's grandmother had passed away and his mother, lacey Van Zant, Man giving him some heartfelt advice Be a simple Tuesday's man, don't get caught up in chasing money or fame. Be honest, be good and live with integrity. Ronnie was so moved during the conversation between here and Gary that he started writing the lyrics right there in the rehearsal space, and that afternoon the Ronnie band worked out the music, built on a driving but uncluttered guitar riff that lets the words breathe.

Michael Pezent:

Interestingly enough, al Cooper didn't originally want to include Simple man on the album. He thought it was weak, too long and didn't fit the rest of the tracks. Now I found Al's take very interesting that the song is too long. Simple man is 5 minutes and 57 seconds long, him to stay there until he came back to get him. So the band, minus a producer, went back into the studio and recorded the song on their own and in the end it became one of the band's most beloved songs.

Michael Pezent:

Today considered Lynard Skynard rock anthem and it's often played at funerals, graduations and anywhere people need a reminder of what really matters in life. I've actually heard that it's been played at wedding receptions as the mother-groom dance. Now, if that ain't redneck brother, I don't know what is. Hey guys, thank you Tuesday's for Gone, listening today Man and I hope you're enjoying Freebird this podcast. If you are, Skynard subscribe or follow the podcast, click the like button, share it with other music lovers and please consider giving a five-star rating so we can reach a bigger audience. Now back to the show. When pronounced Pronounced Leonard Skinner came out, it didn't set the world on fire overnight, but it did plant seeds. The album would eventually go double platinum, thanks in large part to the tour with the who and also the band's own constant touring schedule and word of mouth. Songs like

Michael Pezent:

Give Me Three Steps, tuesday's Gone Simple Lynard man Skynard's and, of course, freebird became staples, not at just Skinnered shows The but of American rock Podcast culture. The record also 2nd define Southern rock sound, one that bands from 38 Special to the Marshall Tucker Band would build on. Now, sadly, just a few years later, tragedy would hit the band in 1977, with a plane crash that took the lives of Ronnie Van Zandt, steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines.

Michael Pezent:

But the music from this debut album remains a snapshot of a hungry young band with everything to prove, and they proved it in spades. And that's our deep dive into Pronounced Leonard Skinner's bold, soulful introduction into the world and, as always, on the Two for Tuesday podcast brought to you by Second Round Music, we celebrated it by giving you a little extra love on two great tracks off that album. So if you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow us. Wherever you listen to podcasts, share it with your fellow music fan friends and let me know, hey, what's your favorite track off that album? I'd love to hear your stories. So until next time, I'm Michael Prezant and remember, not only do we love you and we need you, but sometimes the simplest songs carry the biggest truth. God bless you.