I think Allen Collins is a bit underappreciated as a monster lead guitarist. His phrasing is as good as Jeff Beck's or Gilmour or Brian May, I know who Im listening to right away when I hear him . He was a killer
Free Bird is 95% Collins. How many riffs did we all learn from this man from just that one song!? Rick Beato did include him in his top twenty guitar leads of all time though for Free Bird, but who wouldn't!
I love "Sweet Home Alabama." Every note that Ed King played was just perfect. The solo is in my top five of all time, with those crazy bends and pinch harmonics.
Hi Jim… Ed was a friend of mine. Great guy. He played that riff on a 1973 Fender strat. He only used that guitar on Sweet Home and never used it again. I loved the psychedelic guitar riffs he played with the Strawberry Alarm Clock too. Especially Incense and PeppermintsThanks again for watching….Joe
I saw Skynyrd in 1975 and was already a fan. By 75 i had seen many southern rock bands , Outlaws , MTB , Allman bros. But when i saw Skynyrd , i knew they were in for big things. Sadly , tragedy cut it short. Out of the 50 some concerts i've been to in the 60s - 70s , Skynyrd was my favorite. Still are.
I was at the first show on the Quadraphinia tour at the Cow Palace..nobody there had ever heard of this Leonard Skinner guy!..After freebird people's jaws were on the ground!..Then Keith Moon passed out from PCP and some kid got up and finished the set on drums..It was a tuesday school night in high school..Never forget that show!!
The original band was so under-rated! I hear some musicians bash them because all they know is the overplayed Freebird, but it just shows they don't have a clue about how good every musician in that band was.
I saw The Who and Skynyrd on that tour. The Forum in Los Angeles. And luckily, The Who allowed Lynyrd Skynyrd to use their true Quad sound system opened up mostly, and panned those three guitars on Free Bird all around the stadium. It was absolutely the best opening act I ever experienced. I also was lucky as I had just bought the first album before the concert and knew most of the material. Gimme Three Steps stands up in my memory over all those years. Amazing show. Best of my life! Always support the openers, you never know who it might be. I saw Joe Cocker back around then also at The Forum and Stevie Wonder was the surprise opener. AWESOME!🤩😍😎
@@allencollins6031 In all my years, I have NEVER witnessed a force like THE WHO. Nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen to what I thought was me. I was also in the highest and most distant seat in the house, but I felt like I was in the front row (maybe it was the 4 hits of acid!!!). Skynyrd were amazing, and a most wonderful band to have seen just before the Lightning Bolt of Energy, aka Keith Moon, hitting me square in the center of my being!!! In the 4 nights that they played in L.A. that stretch, only one night did they destroy their instruments...What a Bloody Experience....No....Skynyrd didn't come close!!!
I had massive goosebumps man listening to Al , man Lynyrd Skynyrd is holy man , nobody can touch ‘em , Ronnie Van Zant was tapped into something out of this realm man , sure Ronnie , Ronnie’s destiny was to be prime mover of Lynyrd Skynyrd one if not the greatest American band ever ! Thank you for this , this is sacred to me man I am huge Skynyrd fan 🙏🏼❤️
Its so sad in todays music scene that great musical entertainment never sees the light of day due to the RECORDING INDUSTRY'S nearsightedness and overwhelming greed. The 70's was THE Golden Age of creativity and inspiration
This is totally awesome. I wish someone would interview Al longer. About all of his Skynyrd stories. I'm sure he has some doozies. Thank You so much for posting this. It's great
Saw Lynyrd skynyrd in Atlanta in '87 10 yrs after the crash, when johnny said he'd never sing free bird, and they wheeled Alan out in a wheelchair and waved to the crowd "southern by the grace of god" Tour... It was a night I cherished to this day, I rode the Atlanta train to where i had to park to save $$$ and on the way home, Everyone sang Free bird on the Train, like one big Family, those are the times I'd thought would be Forever, I was sadly wrong how America changed since that day till now, but I was 16... Edit thanks for the upload, and thank god for the events to take place, placing the right people with the right timing to make it all possible.
Just a great story told by a man who immediately recognized the talent in the Lynard Skynard Band. After the plane crash the band was a shell of itself. The survivors missed Ronnie being on point driving them to perfection. Thanks for the memories Al.
Al kooper has a autobiography out,its a great read.This guy was there when a lot of rockin roll history was made and had a lot to do with it.A true legend.
In the spotlight is one thing , in obscurity is another . I met Al Kooper on South Beach sometime in the 90's at a little club called Espresso Bongo . I think Mike Pinera of the original Iron Butterfly was playing there but I'm not sure . Anyway , small club , Dennis Britt of a band called The Beat Poets introduces me . I was surprised to find Kooper , from New York , had worked on " Sweet Home Alabama " . Long story short , Kooper was the nicest , down home guy you would want to meet . I was just some obscure poet , not Peter Townshend , he could have been a jerk , but he wasn't . I asked him what "the Swampers " were and he explained the Muscle Shoals Horn section , very polite , nice fellow . In my view , it tells a lot about a man how he acts when the cameras aren't on . Rock on , Al .
Al Kooper is one of the best storytellers in rock n roll. This is one of his best along with the one how he conned his way into playing organ on Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”.
Like yesterday. I saw them right after Freebird was happening. Columbus Georgia Municipal auditorium about half full. They sounded just the record. Great band. Thanks for watching..... Joe
@@RoxxHoffner And the balls to take it to those other ears in the business and say, hey listen, ya wanna get in on makin' a zillion more dollars "C" and hear some really "sharp" kick-ass southern talent? I've got a band that'll blow your mind, and, continue to line those pockets ~ Ronnie Van Zant and the rest of Skynyrd were just that damn good and Al knew it immediately! A very smart and talented man, Al Kooper, very smart indeed! Peace, Tim...✌
Couldn't have said it any better Bearded Jagger, you absolutely nailed it, 9, nine record labels had turned them down, hard to even begin to comprehend that truth considering the talent and iconic and original songs that were presented to those record labels at the time from Skynyrd, and, as you said, one person, in steps Al Kooper, the rest, as they say, is history...Peace B Jagger
Fascinating interviewing in how all the stars seemed to be lined up for those guys. Songs don’t grow on trees man…Skynyrd were a no-messin’ around, hard rock band…and did they ever prove themselves. The music mattered over everything else. I had the pleasure of meeting Kooper back in the early 2000’s. The bassist in his band at the time and myself are close friends so I was invited to Al’s home on a couple of occasions. One time we walked by an open shelved up closet or hutch and in it were master reel tapes….and right before our eyes there was both the Freebird and Sweet Home tapes. We both reacted like two little girls on Christmas morning all the while not trying to make a spectacle of ourselves. Al didn’t notice. I often wonder how he’s doing these days. He lives the next town over from me!
Exactly...it's practically table crumbs compared to real music and truthfully that crap doesn't really compare to anything at all simply cuz the wick's defective so that candle will never burn right
..most of what is out today isn't Rock at all, much less real Rock...I will even argue that most isn't even real music...come to think of it, even "Country Music" isn't real Country today..no, I'm not talking about the Rock influence in it, which was O.K. with me...I'm talking about it is just electronic "pop" and Hip-Hop with twangy vocals...
I thought it was pretty good too. Early 70's or so ago a friend reccomended the Blues Project. A damn good band. I followed Al to Blood Sweat and Tears. I still listen to "Child Is Father To The Man. At one time I had several of Al's solo records. I always enjoyed his music. Back in the 90's I started listening to Soul Of A Man. A live set that featured The Blues Project, Blood, Sweat and Tears (sort of). All this was topped off with a selection of solo cover. Never did see Al live but have enjoyed his music for decades.
Skynyrd was one of my favorite bands, I was 15 in 1975 drinking with my buddies cranking Skynyrd on the car stereo, they were a kickass rock band, that music moved you.
I was never a Freebird fan, but I caught the original Lynyrd Skynyrd live in Denver and was floored at how good they were and how Ronnie interacted with and directed the band.
I thought I knew everything. Al is a goldmine of stories. Back in the 80's, Al teamed up with Skunk Baxter and recorded "Cha mpionship Wrestling". Lucky me, I had to clear the studio of CSN's gear for them and took a daily seat on the couch. A month later, they were gone with all the laughs and tall tales. Thanks for letting Al go on and on.
Joe bless you for having the foresight to capture these stories years ago. Im sure a lot of the people aren't with us anymore, and these stories would be lost to the sands of time.
50 Years ago the first skynyrd album was made at Studio one 5 miles from where I grew up .I am so glad AL Kooper discovered Lynyrd skynyrd way back then .I use to see the skynyrd boys buying fishing stuff in Doraville Ga near where they recorded at studio one .Lynyrd Skynyrd has been Mt favorite band for 50 years and I still go see them after seeing them 51 times
There were and are no better live Rock bands than the two classic line-ups of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which included guitar greats: 1) Allen Collins, Gary Rossington and Ed King 2) Collins, Rossington and Steve Gaines.
Another video that got by me. I loved and still do love Lynyrd Skynyrd the greatest Southern Rock Band the world’s ever known. Al Cooper was at the right place at the right time to get to work for Skynyrd and so was Skynyrd to work with Cooper. What fascinates me about Lynyrd Skynyrd other than the great music is that all or most of these guys went to school together and just the fact that they were all great musicians and friends that hooked up from the same school is mind boggling. I could listen to Al all day with stories about Skynyrd. Thanks Joe.
This is Gold.I could sit and listen to his stories for hrs.These guys were around when some of the biggest bands of the era were in there infancy and progressing.Just awesome stuff!
Wow, this interview blew me away! Skynyrd is connected to so many memories of my youth and college days back in the 70s! Terrible waste of incredible talent. RIP for eternity!
Back in June of 76 a friend asked me if I wanted to see Skynyrd at Pine Knob, an amphitheater NW of Detroit. I knew what they'd played on the radio up to that point - Sweet Home..., Saturday Night Special and Gimme Back My Bullets were probably the only songs I knew by them. I figured they were worth checking out. We were no more than 20 rows from the stage, the only time I ever sat in the pavilion at Pine Knob, every other time I've sat on the lawn. I was blown away by them from the very first song, most likely 'Workin' For MCA'. I was a fan for life after that show. They were incredible. Every song was great, and they had so much energy. I couldn't talk about them enough after that show, I told everyone I knew how good they were. They came to Ford Auditorium in Detroit that December and I talked a big group of friends into going. Another fantastic show, and everyone absolutely loved them. They were scheduled to play at Cobo Hall in Detroit in June of 77. My dad had a friend who had a connection at the ticket office, I got 8 or 10 tickets about 10 rows from the stage, another outing with a big group of good friends. They ended up having to postpone and resheduled the show for Halloween night 77, more than four months later. So we waited and waited through the summer and fall - when you're 16, 17, concerts are a huge deal, and I could hardly stand the waiting and anticipation. And then the plane crash happened. We were stunned. But I got to see them those two times and I'll treasure those memories. I'm not big on ranking things, but they were as good as anyone I ever saw, and that includes Zeppelin, The Who, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, Johnny WInter, etc. And I will say that first show was my best concert experience ever. From not knowing much about them to hearing all those amazing songs done so well - wow. What a night that was. Forever a true blue Skynyrd fan!
I knew the majority of this story. But to hear it straight from AlKooper is like discovering whip cream and strawberries on some pancakes for the first time! It’s so legendary how it all came together for Lynyrd Skynyrd! But Al telling the story just mad my day! Everything about that story seems like GOD has a hand in it! Right place at the right time. Then to run into superstar Pete Townsend who just so happened to need an opening act! It just seems like the planets all lined up to make this happen! Just a spectacular story from start to finish! Couldn’t make this story up🤘! Has to be one of my favorite stories of all time!
“Don’t ask me no questions” was my FAV SONG! Thank you for posting this...the memories, the music and such wonderful storytellers of what, who and how our best music ever was made. Thank you so very much, does my heart good.
It's weird to hear that Don't Ask Me No Questions tanked back then because it's as much of a radio staple now as the rest of their catalog. There have been tons of songs that didn't "chart" well but have gone on to become classics though. That's pretty much the whole story of Led Zeppelin as well.
Great. I'm a sophomore in hs, '73. KSAN plays Simple Man. Fan for life. CDB MTB sandwich gig at Winterland then DOG with Frampton. I treasure those memories.
Jesus if I only had a time machine. This is my dream concert. Quadrophenia tour. The original Skynyrd & The original Who both in their prime on the same bill. Unfortunately in 1973 I was only 7 years old. Must have been an amazing tour.
I wish I’d have seen that your too. If it helps, we have a Les Paul Deluxe permanently on Exhibit in the Musicians Hall Of Fame that Pete played on that tour. He broke the neck off of it and the headstock but his tech fixed and put back in the lineup.
Another great interview--Love this channel! Was fortunate to get to know Al when he was in Nashville working at the Sound Emporium. My husband Gary Laney was the manager/chief engineer there & I wired up the old lounge next to Studio B to make it into "Al's World". He's a funny guy--I could (and did) listen to his stories all day long! Would love to hear more. Thanks again for sharing these rare glimpses of music history.
Leinie I grew up listening to the Allman Brothers , Lynyrd Skynyrd and so on and with that being sad I don’t listen to any mainstream music period, now in real time I listen to the likes of Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers and others that are southern rockers and other types of music that’s formatted in a old school style is music that’s actually happening in real time are bands like for example Govt.mule , Markus King ,Tyler Bryant and the shake down and The Temperance Movement to only name a few , they are lot of varieties of real music out touring that are not on the radio , you got search for it , just say no to the mainstream music industry and go out and support hard working touring bands!
@@rickynapier442 Thanks for the names of those bands. I will definitely check them out. I found Blackberry Smoke about a year and a half ago and they are the main channel on my Pandora account. Im like you, I have completly quit commercial radio . Ive found another band I like a lot called Cross Canadian Ragweed but they called it quits 8 years before I found them. They were part of the red dirt country scene. I like some country stuff, but not the pop country garbage on the radio nowdays. Your right , there is good music out there, but you have to work at it a bit. I also love the stories behind all the old bands- and thats what I love about this channel. All the lucky breaks, chance meetings, just plain weird things that happen in the music business is fascinating.
Leinie we sound like minded I’m sure you want be disappointed, Whiskey Myers will remind you a little bit of C.C . Ragweed, they are out of east Texas, ironically C.C. ragweed front man is Cody Canada , Whiskey Myers front man is Cody cannon and vocals are similar in my opinion . I know about the break up the ragweed. (Cody Canada and the departed ). Cody C. Of course Is the front man for his band called Cody Canada and the departed , check them out !
In 1972, the band (then comprising Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio's in Atlanta. Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label, which was to be distributed and supported by MCA Records, They signed for $9000. Funoccchinos was the first place I saw them.
I always get angry when I think about how much money Skynyrd was making and flying in a crappy airplane! What were their producers thinking? I remember sitting on the couch the night the plane went down and hearing the news, I was devastated as I had tickets to travel to see them! When I learned more about the accident I was appalled that Skynyrd producers were flying them in a flap trap plane!!! The day the music died I drove my Chevy to the levy and got stoned!
I always wondered why Ronnie encouraged other band members to get on the plane especially Cassie who had a bad feeling about it, not to mention one of the other Honketts had a nightmare the plane was going to crash, headstrong Ronnie didn't listen. But at the very least,, MCA should've provided a brand-new airplane for them.
They was apparently supposed to get a Leer jet very soon. Either during that tour or for sure for the next tour...yea I don't understand why Ronnie made them all get on also, especially since some of them had bought tickets to fly commercial. He apparently said, whoever doesn't get on the plane is fired.. wish he would've just said, if you ain't at the next show in time your fired. But it is what it is.
I never got to see Skynyrd or really appreciate them untill the 80s. After the plane crash. Was into and saw Pink Floyd, Elton John, Ted Nugent, and more but now in my 60s and Skynyrd is definitely top 3 of all time.
Rock and Roll history is great, especially when it comes from the guys that were there. Al compared Freebird as about the same as Stairway To Heaven. I have ALWAYS considered the two tunes similar in musical stature.
I first saw LS in 1976, and they were GREAT, even though Powell was too drunk to make the stage(so it was all guitars!) But in 2006 , I walked into the tiny Town Pump bar in Black Mountain NC to hear a young band called Blackberry Smoke. They tore up the Skynyrd and ZZ Top covers, and I told them they were bound for greatness. You might want to check 'em out.
Joe Gordon, I knew when I was writing that I was forgetting something, as I seem to do now... Anyway, not two hours later I was in Half Price books and saw the first 3 BST lp’s and said to micelf, I have them, love them and didn’t Al K. produce and yes indeed good sir he did and was not there something, something else and, but of course there was. There always is. Al seems pretty together for somebody ought to be spread pretty thin all the way across this land like. . . Thanks for the reminder anyway, Joe.
I got news for you AL freebird was bigger than stair way to heaven and is bigger than whos next and survived the test of time you play any 3 skinard songs you pick them and another thing ronnie never wrote down any of there songs because he said if they aren't worth remembering they aren't worth playing ronnie and the band made history and changed the direction of the rock forever
I said this before about one of Kooper vids: one the most important, least known people in Pop and Rock history. Thanks for introducing him hopefully larger audience. I'm going and see if I can download any of "NY Jews for White Urban Blues" albums. The Super Sessions, BS&T, and especially The Blues Project! Thanks!!!
Another great interview, thank you Joe! I got a hold of the first Duane Allman anthology while I was in high school, so the whole Muscle Shoals thing was deeply impressed into my mind. One of the first bands I played in, we were literally learning the songs off of Stree Survivors when the tragic plane crash happened. We would convene after school to rehearse--I was still in middle school (all the other guys were in HS). And we were all like, WTH--it was devastating. Running On Empty was a favorite album to get started with. It is so cool to learn how there was this big circle connecting all these players together. I've read how Duane carried around this big tape machine and would record bands he dug, and that he played a tape of Skynyrd to Jimi Hendrix at the Atlanta Pop Festival. There are all these connections! Musicians Hall of Fame plays a very important role in helping preserve this history. Thank you Joe!
Yeah, comparing 'Freebird' to 'Stairway to Heaven' being played on the radio?...I can totally agree...Both massive, gigantic, tremendous hit records. Thanks Al.
A great artist with a storyteller's talent. Every second of this video is gold. Make your own good luck. Mr. Kooper is Mr. Good Luck. Thank you for your channel.
This, to me, is pure gold. This should be in the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Ive been to where Studio One stood, and some of the sites in Jacksonville. Great video!
![[JSYL] Riley Live in Austin Texas at The Ballroom 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/73gNE8EeMjc/mqdefault.jpg)
Al Kooper your contribution to rock and roll and rock is duly appreciated my man
“3-chord rock ‘n roll always comes back” Amen to that Al Kooper.
People will always dig great rock bands.
Three-chord rock always comes back because it's grounded in the blues. And the blues is eternal.
I think Allen Collins is a bit underappreciated as a monster lead guitarist. His phrasing is as good as Jeff Beck's or Gilmour or Brian May, I know who Im listening to right away when I hear him . He was a killer
Right on man. Fuckin AAAAAA.
Free Bird is 95% Collins. How many riffs did we all learn from this man from just that one song!?
Rick Beato did include him in his top twenty guitar leads of all time though for Free Bird, but who wouldn't!
Cassies brother
Hell yes, AC was not only a great lead player, he was a crusher on rhythm too, and wrote the music for many of their best songs.
Kevin Allison incorrect
I love "Sweet Home Alabama." Every note that Ed King played was just perfect. The solo is in my top five of all time, with those crazy bends and pinch harmonics.
Hi Jim… Ed was a friend of mine. Great guy. He played that riff on a 1973 Fender strat. He only used that guitar on Sweet Home and never used it again. I loved the psychedelic guitar riffs he played with the Strawberry Alarm Clock too. Especially Incense and PeppermintsThanks again for watching….Joe
I saw Skynyrd in 1975 and was already a fan. By 75 i had seen many southern rock bands , Outlaws , MTB , Allman bros. But when i saw Skynyrd , i knew they were in for big things. Sadly , tragedy cut it short. Out of the 50 some concerts i've been to in the 60s - 70s , Skynyrd was my favorite. Still are.
I was at the first show on the Quadraphinia tour at the Cow Palace..nobody there had ever heard of this Leonard Skinner guy!..After freebird people's jaws were on the ground!..Then Keith Moon passed out from PCP and some kid got up and finished the set on drums..It was a tuesday school night in high school..Never forget that show!!
Wow what an awesome Rock’n’Roll story man thank you for sharing 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️
You lucky dog!!!!
Can anyone say, jealous? Wow, you are so fortunate my man. 🙂
Boston??
@@sweetcaroline7679 S.F.
The very 1st band that I ever saw in concert was Lynyrd Skynyrd ! June 6, 1974. New Orleans. I was 16 yrs. old.
The original band was so under-rated! I hear some musicians bash them because all they know is the overplayed Freebird, but it just shows they don't have a clue about how good every musician in that band was.
I saw The Who and Skynyrd on that tour. The Forum in Los Angeles. And luckily, The Who allowed Lynyrd Skynyrd to use their true Quad sound system opened up mostly, and panned those three guitars on Free Bird all around the stadium. It was absolutely the best opening act I ever experienced. I also was lucky as I had just bought the first album before the concert and knew most of the material. Gimme Three Steps stands up in my memory over all those years. Amazing show. Best of my life! Always support the openers, you never know who it might be. I saw Joe Cocker back around then also at The Forum and Stevie Wonder was the surprise opener. AWESOME!🤩😍😎
Do you think they were better than the Who that day.
@@allencollins6031 In all my years, I have NEVER witnessed a force like THE WHO. Nothing could have prepared me for what was about to happen to what I thought was me. I was also in the highest and most distant seat in the house, but I felt like I was in the front row (maybe it was the 4 hits of acid!!!). Skynyrd were amazing, and a most wonderful band to have seen just before the Lightning Bolt of Energy, aka Keith Moon, hitting me square in the center of my being!!! In the 4 nights that they played in L.A. that stretch, only one night did they destroy their instruments...What a Bloody Experience....No....Skynyrd didn't come close!!!
@@saxmidiman ok ty sax
@@allencollins6031 I DO have to say that I feel extremely lucky to have seen Skynyrd then. A very special American Band to say the least!!!🤩
@@saxmidiman yes sax. I was about 10 when plane went down, so I never got to see Ronnie as front man. And yes, the Who were amazing.
I had massive goosebumps man listening to Al , man Lynyrd Skynyrd is holy man , nobody can touch ‘em , Ronnie Van Zant was tapped into something out of this realm man , sure Ronnie , Ronnie’s destiny was to be prime mover of Lynyrd Skynyrd one if not the greatest American band ever !
Thank you for this , this is sacred to me man I am huge Skynyrd fan 🙏🏼❤️
My whole life has been skynyrd, I'm mighty proud of the southern boys ,they started a new genre of music Southern rock .
Its so sad in todays music scene that great musical entertainment never sees the light of day due to the RECORDING INDUSTRY'S nearsightedness and overwhelming greed. The 70's was THE Golden Age of creativity and inspiration
This is totally awesome. I wish someone would interview Al longer. About all of his Skynyrd stories. I'm sure he has some doozies. Thank You so much for posting this. It's great
Thanks Abby... Joe
Read coopers second book!!
Saw Lynyrd skynyrd in Atlanta in '87 10 yrs after the crash, when johnny said he'd never sing free bird, and they wheeled Alan out in a wheelchair and waved to the crowd "southern by the grace of god" Tour... It was a night I cherished to this day, I rode the Atlanta train to where i had to park to save $$$ and on the way home, Everyone sang Free bird on the Train, like one big Family, those are the times I'd thought would be Forever, I was sadly wrong how America changed since that day till now, but I was 16... Edit thanks for the upload, and thank god for the events to take place, placing the right people with the right timing to make it all possible.
Just a great story told by a man who immediately recognized the talent in the Lynard Skynard Band.
After the plane crash the band was a shell of itself. The survivors missed Ronnie being on point driving them to perfection.
Thanks for the memories Al.
Al kooper has a autobiography out,its a great read.This guy was there when a lot of rockin roll history was made and had a lot to do with it.A true legend.
In the spotlight is one thing , in obscurity is another . I met Al Kooper on South Beach sometime in the 90's at a little club called Espresso Bongo . I think Mike Pinera of the original Iron Butterfly was playing there but I'm not sure . Anyway , small club , Dennis Britt of a band called The Beat Poets introduces me . I was surprised to find Kooper , from New York , had worked on " Sweet Home Alabama " . Long story short , Kooper was the nicest , down home guy you would want to meet . I was just some obscure poet , not Peter Townshend , he could have been a jerk , but he wasn't . I asked him what "the Swampers " were and he explained the Muscle Shoals Horn section , very polite , nice fellow . In my view , it tells a lot about a man how he acts when the cameras aren't on . Rock on , Al .
Durango McMurphy, Mike Pinera and Rhino on Metamorphosis. My fave Butterfly.
Durango McMurphy... That's about the best compliment you can give a man!
I love Metamorphosis, but Pinera wasn't in the original Butterfly lineup.
@@larrymccarthy8215 Shows what I know . I always thought Pinera was in the original group . Go figure . Thanks
Larry McCarthy, That’s right, but maybe he should have been.
Man he's some cool dude n tells a real good story...
Time well spent watching this.
Al Kooper has great memory and he's worked among some of the best ever.
I could listen to Al Kooper for hours. Actually, I think I have.
Al Kooper is one of the best storytellers in rock n roll. This is one of his best along with the one how he conned his way into playing organ on Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”.
great story! i remember when the skynyrd was new, they were indeed like a breath of fresh air for the old radio
Like yesterday. I saw them right after Freebird was happening. Columbus Georgia Municipal auditorium about half full. They sounded just the record. Great band. Thanks for watching..... Joe
That's all it takes sometimes. One person to believe in you. Skynyrd had the talent. Kooper had the connections.
And the ear!
@@RoxxHoffner And the balls to take it to those other ears in the business and say, hey listen, ya wanna get in on makin' a zillion more dollars "C" and hear some really "sharp" kick-ass southern talent? I've got a band that'll blow your mind, and, continue to line those pockets ~ Ronnie Van Zant and the rest of Skynyrd were just that damn good and Al knew it immediately! A very smart and talented man, Al Kooper, very smart indeed! Peace, Tim...✌
Couldn't have said it any better Bearded Jagger, you absolutely nailed it, 9, nine record labels had turned them down, hard to even begin to comprehend that truth considering the talent and iconic and original songs that were presented to those record labels at the time from Skynyrd, and, as you said, one person, in steps Al Kooper, the rest, as they say, is history...Peace B Jagger
Having Merry Clayton sing back up on sweet home layed the path for The Honketts. TY Al!
@@randystallard8079 Peace R Stallard, wherever you are.
This video... was time well spent.
Fascinating interviewing in how all the stars seemed to be lined up for those guys. Songs don’t grow on trees man…Skynyrd were a no-messin’ around, hard rock band…and did they ever prove themselves. The music mattered over everything else. I had the pleasure of meeting Kooper back in the early 2000’s. The bassist in his band at the time and myself are close friends so I was invited to Al’s home on a couple of occasions. One time we walked by an open shelved up closet or hutch and in it were master reel tapes….and right before our eyes there was both the Freebird and Sweet Home tapes. We both reacted like two little girls on Christmas morning all the while not trying to make a spectacle of ourselves. Al didn’t notice. I often wonder how he’s doing these days. He lives the next town over from me!
That happened when music was music the stuff that is out today doesn't light a candle to real rock
Exactly...it's practically table crumbs compared to real music and truthfully that crap doesn't really compare to anything at all simply cuz the wick's defective so that candle will never burn right
So true, my friend, I always go back to this great music.
..most of what is out today isn't Rock at all, much less real Rock...I will even argue that most isn't even real music...come to think of it, even "Country Music" isn't real Country today..no, I'm not talking about the Rock influence in it, which was O.K. with me...I'm talking about it is just electronic "pop" and Hip-Hop with twangy vocals...
Al's book "Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards" is a wonderful, hilarious read if you have the time.
Thanks, John, I'll have to check it out, peace brother~✌
I thought it was pretty good too. Early 70's or so ago a friend reccomended the Blues Project. A damn good band. I followed Al to Blood Sweat and Tears. I still listen to "Child Is Father To The Man. At one time I had several of Al's solo records. I always enjoyed his music. Back in the 90's I started listening to Soul Of A Man. A live set that featured The Blues Project, Blood, Sweat and Tears (sort of). All this was topped off with a selection of solo cover. Never did see Al live but have enjoyed his music for decades.
Great interview Koop! Loved it 👍🏼
I was one of those teenagers that FreeBird became an anthem for!
Skynyrd was one of my favorite bands, I was 15 in 1975 drinking with my buddies cranking Skynyrd on the car stereo, they were a kickass rock band, that music moved you.
Great to hear to the back stories from these classic recordings. Al comes across as a great guy to have a beer with. Y
Skynyrd's easily in the top 10 greatest american rock bands of all time at least they are in mine no question.
There will never be another decade like the 70s. What a great time it was. Great episode thanks.
I was never a Freebird fan, but I caught the original Lynyrd Skynyrd live in Denver and was floored at how good they were and how Ronnie interacted with and directed the band.
I thought I knew everything. Al is a goldmine of stories. Back in the 80's, Al teamed up with Skunk Baxter and recorded "Cha mpionship Wrestling". Lucky me, I had to clear the studio of CSN's gear for them and took a daily seat on the couch. A month later, they were gone with all the laughs and tall tales. Thanks for letting Al go on and on.
Love hearing Big Al telling it.He should get an award.
Don't Ask No Questions is my favorite number by that band.
Joe bless you for having the foresight to capture these stories years ago. Im sure a lot of the people aren't with us anymore, and these stories would be lost to the sands of time.
Thanks 145...... I really appreciate... joe
Jacksonville rocks the South and the who world,amen..
I can listen to Al Cooper tell stories all day long. Great interview~Tanks.
Another chunk of gold...Al's fast becoming my favourite interviewee on here!
God bless the ears, intuition, and producer savvy smarts of one cool cat, Al Kooper, thank you Al ~
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Randy.... Joe
I saw Skynyrd open for the Who about that time, in the Spectrum in Philly. Al introduced them, which made my night!
I could sit and listen to Al Kooper stories all day long.
50 Years ago the first skynyrd album was made at Studio one 5 miles from where I grew up .I am so glad AL Kooper discovered Lynyrd skynyrd way back then .I use to see the skynyrd boys buying fishing stuff in Doraville Ga near where they recorded at studio one .Lynyrd Skynyrd has been Mt favorite band for 50 years and I still go see them after seeing them 51 times
Great story. Al tells it so good. I saw skynrd on that Who tour. They blew the Who off the stage. Very powerful!!!
There were and are no better live Rock bands than the two classic line-ups of Lynyrd Skynyrd, which included guitar greats:
1) Allen Collins, Gary Rossington and Ed King
2) Collins, Rossington and Steve Gaines.
Absolutely agreed
They were awesome with just Allen and Gary too!!!
Nobody to this day can play a Firebird or Explorer like Allen did..switching lead and rythum parts on every song was just amazing
Ok boys, instead of continuing to play in this dive bar, I'm going to send you out as openers for the Who.
Another video that got by me. I loved and still do love Lynyrd Skynyrd the greatest Southern Rock Band the world’s ever known. Al Cooper was at the right place at the right time to get to work for Skynyrd and so was Skynyrd to work with Cooper. What fascinates me about Lynyrd Skynyrd other than the great music is that all or most of these guys went to school together and just the fact that they were all great musicians and friends that hooked up from the same school is mind boggling. I could listen to Al all day with stories about Skynyrd. Thanks Joe.
What great stories! This is important work, Joe and we appreciate it. You are one of the best music interviewers too.
Very kind of you Seeburg.... thanks for watching. Best , Joe
" Mr.Yankee slicker with a big old southern grin"
😁😁😁✌
Theyre gonn take me out to California gomma make me a superstar!!!
@@coreyfellows9420 Just pay me all my money..And maybe you won't get a scar.
I didn't know Al Kooper worked with the Candymen, later, Atlanta Rhythm Section. He's all over music that kicks ass.
This is Gold.I could sit and listen to his stories for hrs.These guys were around when some of the biggest bands of the era were in there infancy and progressing.Just awesome stuff!
Damn, I love 'don't ask me no questions'
Wow, this interview blew me away! Skynyrd is connected to so many memories of my youth and college days back in the 70s! Terrible waste of incredible talent. RIP for eternity!
Back in June of 76 a friend asked me if I wanted to see Skynyrd at Pine Knob, an amphitheater NW of Detroit. I knew what they'd played on the radio up to that point - Sweet Home..., Saturday Night Special and Gimme Back My Bullets were probably the only songs I knew by them. I figured they were worth checking out. We were no more than 20 rows from the stage, the only time I ever sat in the pavilion at Pine Knob, every other time I've sat on the lawn. I was blown away by them from the very first song, most likely 'Workin' For MCA'. I was a fan for life after that show. They were incredible. Every song was great, and they had so much energy. I couldn't talk about them enough after that show, I told everyone I knew how good they were. They came to Ford Auditorium in Detroit that December and I talked a big group of friends into going. Another fantastic show, and everyone absolutely loved them. They were scheduled to play at Cobo Hall in Detroit in June of 77. My dad had a friend who had a connection at the ticket office, I got 8 or 10 tickets about 10 rows from the stage, another outing with a big group of good friends. They ended up having to postpone and resheduled the show for Halloween night 77, more than four months later. So we waited and waited through the summer and fall - when you're 16, 17, concerts are a huge deal, and I could hardly stand the waiting and anticipation. And then the plane crash happened. We were stunned. But I got to see them those two times and I'll treasure those memories. I'm not big on ranking things, but they were as good as anyone I ever saw, and that includes Zeppelin, The Who, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, Johnny WInter, etc. And I will say that first show was my best concert experience ever. From not knowing much about them to hearing all those amazing songs done so well - wow. What a night that was. Forever a true blue Skynyrd fan!
I knew the majority of this story. But to hear it straight from AlKooper is like discovering whip cream and strawberries on some pancakes for the first time! It’s so legendary how it all came together for Lynyrd Skynyrd! But Al telling the story just mad my day! Everything about that story seems like GOD has a hand in it! Right place at the right time. Then to run into superstar Pete Townsend who just so happened to need an opening act! It just seems like the planets all lined up to make this happen! Just a spectacular story from start to finish! Couldn’t make this story up🤘! Has to be one of my favorite stories of all time!
Thanks for watching Robert.... please vote for us as best music museum in the USA Today poll....vote daily until February 17Th.... best... Joe
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum hey right on I will!!
You have to wonder if LS would had been discovered without Al's help; I'm thinking probably.
Great story teller!
“Don’t ask me no questions” was my FAV SONG! Thank you for posting this...the memories, the music and such wonderful storytellers of what, who and how our best music ever was made.
Thank you so very much, does my heart good.
Al is one of my favorite guys in music.
It's weird to hear that Don't Ask Me No Questions tanked back then because it's as much of a radio staple now as the rest of their catalog. There have been tons of songs that didn't "chart" well but have gone on to become classics though. That's pretty much the whole story of Led Zeppelin as well.
Great.
I'm a sophomore in hs, '73. KSAN plays Simple Man. Fan for life. CDB MTB sandwich gig at Winterland then DOG with Frampton.
I treasure those memories.
Jesus if I only had a time machine. This is my dream concert. Quadrophenia tour. The original Skynyrd & The original Who both in their prime on the same bill. Unfortunately in 1973 I was only 7 years old. Must have been an amazing tour.
I wish I’d have seen that your too. If it helps, we have a Les Paul Deluxe permanently on Exhibit in the Musicians Hall Of Fame that Pete played on that tour. He broke the neck off of it and the headstock but his tech fixed and put back in the lineup.
I remember seeing Kooper tell a story about fame.....and how he preferred to walk down the Street and Not be recognized. Down to Earth dude.
I'd like 3 chord rock to make a comeback soon - real soon...
Another great interview--Love this channel! Was fortunate to get to know Al when he was in Nashville working at the Sound Emporium. My husband Gary Laney was the manager/chief engineer there & I wired up the old lounge next to Studio B to make it into "Al's World". He's a funny guy--I could (and did) listen to his stories all day long! Would love to hear more. Thanks again for sharing these rare glimpses of music history.
Thanks for watching...... Best, Joe
HOW COOL!!! Lucky you Roxy and your hubby Gary! What awesome memories! 👍🏻❤️🤘🏻
Always love hearing about those classic Skynyrd boys.
Thanks for watching Carol.....Joe
Great channel! Al is an awesome storyteller. Skynyrd was one of the all time great bands live.
Thanks for watching.... Joe
still is.
R.I.P. BROTHERS ....... GOD BLESS
ALL OF YOU .
Koop distilled it to what it was...3 chord rock...makes a comeback...thank God...Koop knew live sound
Talent and hard work and leadership of Ronnie.
Boy another great story from the legend himself mr.al kooper hope there is more from him I crave stuff like this thanks
Rock and Rolll Hall of Fame can kiss my ass- th Musicians Hall of Fame is the real deal. Thanks Joe !
Leinie.... I really hope you get a chance to visit the museum in Nashville this year. Thanks for watching our interviews!! Best... Joe
Leinie I grew up listening to the Allman Brothers , Lynyrd Skynyrd and so on and with that being sad I don’t listen to any mainstream music period, now in real time I listen to the likes of Blackberry Smoke, Whiskey Myers and others that are southern rockers and other types of music that’s formatted in a old school style is music that’s actually happening in real time are bands like for example Govt.mule , Markus King ,Tyler Bryant and the shake down and The Temperance Movement to only name a few , they are lot of varieties of real music out touring that are not on the radio , you got search for it , just say no to the mainstream music industry and go out and support hard working touring bands!
@@rickynapier442 Thanks for the names of those bands. I will definitely check them out. I found Blackberry Smoke about a year and a half ago and they are the main channel on my Pandora account. Im like you, I have completly quit commercial radio . Ive found another band I like a lot called Cross Canadian Ragweed but they called it quits 8 years before I found them. They were part of the red dirt country scene. I like some country stuff, but not the pop country garbage on the radio nowdays. Your right , there is good music out there, but you have to work at it a bit. I also love the stories behind all the old bands- and thats what I love about this channel. All the lucky breaks, chance meetings, just plain weird things that happen in the music business is fascinating.
Leinie we sound like minded I’m sure you want be disappointed, Whiskey Myers will remind you a little bit of C.C . Ragweed, they are out of east Texas, ironically C.C. ragweed front man is Cody Canada , Whiskey Myers front man is Cody cannon and vocals are similar in my opinion . I know about the break up the ragweed. (Cody Canada and the departed ). Cody C. Of course Is the front man for his band called Cody Canada and the departed , check them out !
Leinie check out Reckless Kelly & Mickey & the Motorcars.There are 4 Braun brothers-2 in each of those bands.Good ol gritty country rock.
In 1972, the band (then comprising Van Zant, Collins, Rossington, Burns, Wilkeson, and Powell) was discovered by musician, songwriter, and producer Al Kooper of Blood, Sweat & Tears, who had attended one of their shows at Funocchio's in Atlanta. Kooper signed them to his Sounds of the South label, which was to be distributed and supported by MCA Records, They signed for $9000. Funoccchinos was the first place I saw them.
Great interview love al koopers Skynyrd storys 🙂
That was an outstanding video. It's always great to hear some of the History of a band and song as iconic as Lynyrd Skynyrd and Sweet Home Alabama.
I really love this channel, great.stories about music, you.know, real music with real musicians, not like the crap you hear today
Man I enjoyed that very much. That’s rock history.
I always get angry when I think about how much money Skynyrd was making and flying in a crappy airplane! What were their producers thinking? I remember sitting on the couch the night the plane went down and hearing the news, I was devastated as I had tickets to travel to see them! When I learned more about the accident I was appalled that Skynyrd producers were flying them in a flap trap plane!!! The day the music died I drove my Chevy to the levy and got stoned!
tragic for sure
Plane was a 1948 relic that Aerosmith had used and it scared the guys so bad they quit using it. Then Skynerd stepped in...
I always wondered why Ronnie encouraged other band members to get on the plane especially Cassie who had a bad feeling about it, not to mention one of the other Honketts had a nightmare the plane was going to crash, headstrong Ronnie didn't listen. But at the very least,, MCA should've provided a brand-new airplane for them.
The really sad thing is they were buying a new jet when they got back from the torture tour.
They was apparently supposed to get a Leer jet very soon. Either during that tour or for sure for the next tour...yea I don't understand why Ronnie made them all get on also, especially since some of them had bought tickets to fly commercial. He apparently said, whoever doesn't get on the plane is fired.. wish he would've just said, if you ain't at the next show in time your fired. But it is what it is.
True.
3 chord rock and roll ALWAYS comes back.
Sooner or later.
I never got to see Skynyrd or really appreciate them untill the 80s. After the plane crash. Was into and saw Pink Floyd, Elton John, Ted Nugent, and more but now in my 60s and Skynyrd is definitely top 3 of all time.
Rock and Roll history is great, especially when it comes from the guys that were there. Al compared Freebird as about the same as Stairway To Heaven. I have ALWAYS considered the two tunes similar in musical stature.
Allen played rythm like lead the way he rolled the notes and hammer in’s pull offs and picking in between, just awesome
every time i watch your'e videos i learn something new , keep them coming joe great stuff...
Thanks Lee... really appreciate it... Joe
Listen to their early records - they were hot and cool - to this day no band can even copy the sound - Saturday night special to cheatin woman !
I first saw LS in 1976, and they were GREAT, even though Powell was too drunk to make the stage(so it was all guitars!) But in 2006 , I walked into the tiny Town Pump bar in Black Mountain NC to hear a young band called Blackberry Smoke. They tore up the Skynyrd and ZZ Top covers, and I told them they were bound for greatness. You might want to check 'em out.
A piece of music history :-)
The "Big old yankee slicker with a big old southern grin" Al Cooper
Wow, Al has been all over the scene.
Naa, only worked with people like Dylan, The Who and Skynyrd. No big deal. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Definitely knew talent.
Robert bishop, I knew about Dylan and Skynerd and others and now you tell me of The Who also. Damn.
Clayton Kusaj Don’t forget Blood Sweat & tears
Joe Gordon, I knew when I was writing that I was forgetting something, as I seem to do now... Anyway, not two hours later I was in Half Price books and saw the first 3 BST lp’s and said to micelf, I have them, love them and didn’t Al K. produce and yes indeed good sir he did and was not there something, something else and, but of course there was. There always is. Al seems pretty together for somebody ought to be spread pretty thin all the way across this land like. . . Thanks for the reminder anyway, Joe.
I got news for you AL freebird was bigger than stair way to heaven and is bigger than whos next and survived the test of time you play any 3 skinard songs you pick them and another thing ronnie never wrote down any of there songs because he said if they aren't worth remembering they aren't worth playing ronnie and the band made history and changed the direction of the rock forever
Looks like you don’t write much down either, heh, heh
That was great...as always, thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching Nick… Joe
Yah, and I would rather hear Freebird over stairway any day
Amen
I said this before about one of Kooper vids: one the most important, least known people in Pop and Rock history. Thanks for introducing him hopefully larger audience. I'm going and see if I can download any of "NY Jews for White Urban Blues" albums. The Super Sessions, BS&T, and especially The Blues Project! Thanks!!!
Incredible story!
Another great interview, thank you Joe! I got a hold of the first Duane Allman anthology while I was in high school, so the whole Muscle Shoals thing was deeply impressed into my mind. One of the first bands I played in, we were literally learning the songs off of Stree Survivors when the tragic plane crash happened. We would convene after school to rehearse--I was still in middle school (all the other guys were in HS). And we were all like, WTH--it was devastating. Running On Empty was a favorite album to get started with. It is so cool to learn how there was this big circle connecting all these players together. I've read how Duane carried around this big tape machine and would record bands he dug, and that he played a tape of Skynyrd to Jimi Hendrix at the Atlanta Pop Festival. There are all these connections! Musicians Hall of Fame plays a very important role in helping preserve this history. Thank you Joe!
Thanks for sharing your story John and thank you for the support. Best, Joe
Yeah, comparing 'Freebird' to 'Stairway to Heaven' being played on the radio?...I can totally agree...Both massive, gigantic, tremendous hit records. Thanks Al.
Great interview, seems like the neighbor next door kinda guy- Awesome
I’ve just found the channel and subbed up. The only thing wrong with these are some are way too short. This was fabulous.
Thanks to satisfy our literate, never ending to learn, quench for uptempo upbeat synchopated music.
A great artist with a storyteller's talent. Every second of this video is gold. Make your own good luck. Mr. Kooper is Mr. Good Luck. Thank you for your channel.
Thank you John.... Joe
This, to me, is pure gold. This should be in the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress. Ive been to where Studio One stood, and some of the sites in Jacksonville. Great video!
Thanks for watching!! ......Joe