2006-08-15 17:42:29 · 14 answers · asked by george g 5 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music
The guys in the band, during high school, had this anti-"hippie" teacher named Leonard Skinner, who frequently harrassed male long haired students--inculding the Van Zants, who we all know, were destined to be only the biggest Southren Rock band in the world.
And Leonard Skinner was very very vocal about his distaste for "rock n' roll" music of the time. So to get back at this hateful teacher, the guys in the band chose "Lynyrd Skynyrd" (intentionally misspelled to avoid legal snags) as a way to catch-back on the guy....and the name stuck.
Over the years since establishing their fame, the REAL Leonard Skinner and the band mended the broken fences and actually became respected friends. Leonard Skinner still speaks with the surviving original band members as dear friends to this day.
2006-08-15 18:11:37 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Wizard 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The final band name also made its first appearance, a mocking tribute to Rossington's and Burns' gym coach at Robert E. Lee High, Leonard Skinner.
Skinner would strictly enforce the school's dress code, which did not allow boys to have long hair touching the collar or sideburns below the ears. Some of the band members were even expelled for having their hair too long.
After being punished several times, the bandmates played a show, still as One Percent, but Van Zant jokingly announced from the stage that they were now called Leonard Skinner. The name stuck, soon becoming Lynard Skynard, and finally Lynyrd Skynyrd.
2006-08-16 00:47:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A physical education teacher named Leonard Skinner inspired the name. Sweet Home Alabama, darling!
2006-08-16 00:49:40 · answer #3 · answered by Blondie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Leonard Skinner
2006-08-16 00:46:13 · answer #4 · answered by M N 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Leonord Skinner, he was their HS gym teacher who had them suspended for having long hair and said their music would go no where.
2006-08-16 00:48:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
HS Gym teacher,
2006-08-16 00:49:58 · answer #6 · answered by slartibartfast1972 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he was the gym teacher @ the high school the Van Zant brothers went to.
2006-08-16 00:49:10 · answer #7 · answered by ROSE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there were brothers. Ronnie and Johnny Van Sant?
2006-08-16 00:48:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the gym coach who caused them alot of trouble in high school .
rock on !
2006-08-16 05:43:19 · answer #9 · answered by BIGG AL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their high school gym teacher.
2006-08-16 00:48:03 · answer #10 · answered by Ron D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋