Lynyrd Skynyrd: What Really Happened at the Muscle Shoals Recordings - Told by The Swampers
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2020
- This clip comes from an interview we did with The Swampers in Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 2008. We talked to Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins and David Hood about how Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded their first sessions at Muscle Shoals Sound.
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These interviews are extremely necessary for Real historic documentation..Thank you for who yo are Joe. Respect
Thanks Robert... joe
I lived just across the hill from the studio. We played baseball in a lot at the bottom of the hill of Oakwood Cemetery. That was a great time to grow up.
Joe there are no words to express how grateful we all are for the dedication and service you are performing for all of this priceless music history documentation.
Thanks Doug... knowing you and others feel that way means everything to me... best, Joe
It's the magic of the South and the whisper the river that makes the songs come alive...Don't forget it now!!!!
Thanks for watching 5967……Joe
What a crazy piece of history. Keep bringing the Skynyrd content!!!
Thanks David... joe
My 1st Skynyrd Album my grandmother got my the christmas after the plane crash. I was 8 yrs old and have been A fan since.
Visited the studio last year. Absolutely amazing to stand in a place where such timeless music was produced. And now to hear the stories behind the music from the Swampers themselves... incredible. Thank you!
I've heard a couple of other accounts of the backwards tape but this one actually clears up all the loose ends. What a story... what a band. Thanks.
I love hearing the 'story' behind the songs created in the studios.
The only time I got to see Lynrd Skynrd was in 1994 in Mt. View California....but we got to sit up close and I'll never forget that night....It was magical....even with Ronnie not being there.
I remember seeing the band, who were support for Dutch group Golden Earring, in Bristol UK on 29th November 1974 - Jesus that's 46 years ago and I was 19.
Hadn't heard of them and didn't know their music. Can you imagine hearing Free Bird for the first time ever ... live .... the original members?
Some things you never forget.
@@stevepitts7998 you Lucky Dog!
“Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers. And they've been known to pick a song or two ..”. Bettin those lyrics wouldn’t have ever happened if the tape hadn’t been flipped back for Ronnie. Amazing story and another great jem of an interview Joe. Keep em coming! 👍✨
Thanks Sound... there are more Muscle Shoals videos coming.........joe
The background singers echo...yes they do.
It was probably Ronnie's that way of further making amends for cussing him out! I thought the same thing- just like Ronnie to turn a real mess into a timeless classic lyric. Cheers P[>
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum we sure hope so. what was done on the original freebird to me is the best. bass & drums at the end are very good. background vocals are better. the piano part , well just the whole song is done better. thanks.
@@timacosby Just goes to show that an attentive engineer can really save your a**! NEVER dis the guy at the console! (or the guy running the tape machine!)
Love Skynyrd. Love this channel.
Thank you Al... joe
What awesome Southern men these are. I'm from DeLand Florida and can absolutely relate to these true giants of the music industry. Underrated at every turn, the Swampers ushered in Southern rock for the world to hear. Not to mention other music groups of all type. Country, soul, rock and blues. Well done men, well done.
Hey I used to live just outside of Deland, right on the Lake county side of the Volutia/Lake county line, way way out in the swamp. Good times!
I have a 5 CD carousel and First and Last has been in the rotation for as long as I can remember. And the two songs that Rickey Medlock sings are outstanding.
Look at how these guys interact. Non social media generation. Listening to each other. Finishing each others sentences.
Hi JJ thanks for watching... joe
Joe, bless you for having the foresight to record so much years ago.
Thank you 145.... Best....Joe
LS fan since hearing Simple Man on KSAN in '73. saw em at Winterland a year later then DOG with PF, '77.
First and Last had some great tracks, Lend A Helping Hand being a fave.. Hit a wah for that one.
What a cool story.. Skynyrd was my band in the 70s ... I went to tons of concerts, but never saw them.. I did end up with a t-shirt that a friend gave me, because he knew how much I loved them. It had been made for the concert they were scheduled to do after the crash, so obviously it never happened... I wore it out, in hindsight I wish I would have saved it.. but hey, that was the 70s 😎. One big party......
Thanks for the cool story Gwag.... joe
Man listening to these gentlemen talk about their craft is addicting the passion they have for the music is intoxicating very enjoyable to watch them talk about all their sessions with legendary artist wow
Hey Joe great interview. That was just unbelievable, can you imagine if we never heard of Skynyrd because somebody was playing their first recording’s backwards on the tape. Thank God it didn’t end there.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts Dave... joe
One of the best channels on RUclips. Amazing content.
Thanks L.A.... joe
I had heard about this story, but never first hand from someone involved in the actual story. This is an awesome You Tube Channel.
Thank you.
mVm
Thank you mVm.... joe
The best! 👍
If I'm not mistaken and I don't believe l am, the same thing happened to a young, edgy Billy Joel on his first album but it was released that way and it bombed. Billy ended up in an asylum for a while.
Just amazing. They flipped the tape and the speakers just about jumped iff the wall. 😲
I'm getting that 17 track Muscle Shoals album! Thank you, Joe!
Thank you Rick... joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum CD ordered and will be delivered by Friday 😃
I have it, it is amazing!
Amazing story. What an amazing archive you’ve collected!
Glad you enjoyed it Dave... still more Shoals coming. Best... Joe
Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum Can’t wait!
Funny story ...I was 15 years old and my best Friend was over and Freebird came on the radio and the AM station cut off the guitar solo I did not even know it existed he said put on the FM station they play the whole song on the FM station...I did and later when I heard the solo my brain exploded LOL...This same friend also later asked me did I know that they were from our neighborhood...I was like what? Mind blown again and they became like my instant heroes.
Thanks for sharing Rob….. Best, Joe
WOW! What an amazing story! Really over the top Joe. Someone should write a book about those times. I'd be the first one on the list to purchase it! Thanks for these videos........ 👍👍😉😉
Steve... glad you’re enjoying them.. joe
Love this story and first and last is a Masterpiece !! Oh and Joe thanks again for keeping the Music and the stories behind it Alive for us to enjoy !!
Thanks for watching Kent... joe
These interviews are like a trip down memory lane. Nice.
Thanks for watching RR... joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you Joe. Free Bird has always been a favorite of mine.
Thanks again RR...JC
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum this story blows me away.
Back in the 80's, my boyfriend (now husband) moved in with me & he had bought a bunch of really great equipment inc Bose 901's & I believe a 10" reel to reel. I was used to record player & 8 tracks so he showed me how to thread the tape. He had some great music on those tapes.
He went out of town for work & I had a party one night & everyone wanted to hear some Kansas so I get the tape & I thread it all up, I was so proud of myself because he only showed me once & that had been wks so I was pattin myself on the back. Turned it on & it sounded like Kansas was playing in a tunnel or a cave it was so muffled & volume was very low.
I thought WTF? I listened to abt 2 lines & immediately turned it off because I knew it wasn't right. You guessed it, I had somehow gotten tape flipped over as I was threading it. I was no expert obviously or I wouldn't have gotten it twisted but I knew right away & I knew what I did wrong.
Do you tell me how Alan screwed it up & played it for 9 record companies I believe & not ONE of them knew what was wrong? I find that almost unbelievable. I can see where I made mistake but as soon as I heard it I knew.
I can't believe not 1 person & I am sure there were more than 1 person in the studio when the tape was played. They must have all been stoned!
If Alan hadn't made that mistake or anyone would have known what happened, would Skynyrd have been signed to a label a yr earlier? Would that have changed the whole future of the band? Would they have not been on that fateful plane that night? Hard to day because everything would have happened sooner & they may never had even known abt that plane.
I don't know how these record companies loved Free Bird but wanted to make it 3 min song. They are just getting started at 3 min. Every note from Billy's intro to Gary's slide & Ronnie's singing abt bein a Free Bird & then Allen's solo & Gary & Allen's dueling solos is like the bird taking flight & flying off into the sky so what do you cut. Dumb!
I still love these guys, still my favorite band & even after all these yrs it is still painful.
Love the swampers! ❤️🇺🇸🎶
If you look at the credits on First and Last, Jimmy Johnson and those guys in the video had Ed King play and do what Ed did best. Ed played slide on Coming Home with a Telecaster which is absolutely beautiful. Gary Rossington once said Ed King was the best feel player he'd ever heard. Ed did most of all the overdubs on First and Last.
Amazing story. Thanks for the video Joe, from a lifelong Skynyrd fan. Much appreciation for your work.
Glad you enjoyed it Sam... Best...... Joe
Sweet Home Alabama was written for these guys, The Swampers.
OK, that was amazing. Thank you for putting these outstanding vids together.
Hi Bold... thanks for watching.......Joe
Loved this show Joe
Thanks for watching Doc……Joe
Fantastic story. Joe, you've got such excellent info, thank you
Thanks Daniel.... joe
Joe, always love your posts. You interview the musicians in a way that I wish others would learn from. Thank you.
Thanks for watching Crosstown.... best, Joe
I live 1 mile or less from the studio I had no idea music history was happening that close... really have enjoy the music
These swampers interviews are great!!!
Thanks Papi.... joe
Thank you for this insightful video.
man i love these videos
Thanks 2203.... joe
Greatest music in the world and the greatest sound came out of the shoals.
I never heard of any of this before, another great one, Joe!
Thanks Vinny... joe
Wow, Joe, another outstanding job/interview you've done here and provided us all, amazing! Thank you very much, my friend, and brother in life, God bless you and yours, Joe.~
Thank you Randy... God bless you and family too... best... Joe
Chock up another award 👏 winning interview joe Loved it!
Thanks again John... joe
I only live about 80 Mi away from the studio. I need to go check it out. Historical!
Fantastic work!
That was some important history discussed in this video. I never knew that “Muscle Shoals” was a city in Alabama & home to a Legendary Sound Studio.
Wow! So many amazing stories, thanks Joe for sharing all these behind the scenes insights to some of the greatest rock music ever.
Thank you too Lee... joe
"The Vault" is a treasure that I would urge all to open up, whenever, wherever, however possible.
Hi John... we’re starting to shoot new interviews again but luckily I found some more good interviews in the back of the Vault to keep us going a while longer... best... joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum So very kind. Musicians love their true fans. You have found a fan in us.
Thank you John... joe
Perfectly said. I agree.
Thank You very much for this awesome piece of music history.
Thanks for watching Willie... best.... Joe
Thanks for the history,I love it!
Maybe THE HISTORY GUY could do a story about this .
Outstanding interview as Always!!
Most conflict is over misunderstandings.. So glad Ronnie and Jimmy found out what happened. Too bad the people who listened to it two years prior didn’t realize there was something screwed up with the tape. UnFreakinReal!!! But hey.. it’s even more special to us now.
Another learning experience !! Keep up the great work Joe !!
Thanks again Steve... joe
1st & Last is a Gem, Masterpiece for Fans. Each song, being it's own Genre. Best BAND for Rock n Roll. 'Coming Home' Still Chills me.
Saturday Night Special. Is my fave Skynyrd song.
Thank you for sharing this! I feel like I've seen part of this in Muscle Shoals, the documentary. It is an absolutely incredible piece of historic documentation. I'm so glad people had the forethought to document this stuff before it was no longer possible. This is the music of my childhood. The soundtrack to my life. Thing is, I was born in '81. That just means my Daddy has great taste in music. He also had the forethought to name me after/give me the same middle name as, IMHO, the greatest guitar player to ever live, Howard Duane Allman 🙏❤️🎸🍄🍑😁
JC.... thanks for sharing your thoughts.... JC
Two years to figure out the tape was backwards, wow, we were all pretty high, but not THAT stoned!
That’s funny ... Hard to believe isn’t sax ...but true... thanks for watching... joe
If someone other than Walden had checked it, it would have been discovered much sooner.
that's crazy, the only two albums that ever turned my head in 1 minute and I'm deep listening. Was learning guitar and had been for a couple of years was number 1, lynyrd skynyrd and about maybe 5 years later was van halen. With synyrd it was just the overall everything and with van halen it was like being run over by a truck. Nothing ever touched me like that ever again aside of playing live music when every one is on all cylinders.
So Cool. History with Lynrd Skynrd something else Appreciate you Joe
Thank you too Nelly... joe
Well done! Please keep 'em comin'
Hi 100.....we will keep putting up new ( never seen before) interviews along with new ones as we make them. Thanks again for watching..... Joe
Man! Between the Hendrix stories from Billy Cox and all the great stuff from the Swampers- and now a mostly unknown piece of Skynyrd history? This is fast becoming my favorite yt channel! Thanks for posting, and more Skynyrd please! Cheers P[>
Thanks Patrick... joe
Outstanding.
I went down there and visited the old building one time, it was 30 years ago. The building was locked and in disuse, but I walked around it on the outside. Plenty of music fans signed their names on the back door and wall it was Cool just to be there.
Gary from Tennessee. ✌️🤘🎸🥁🎩🕶️
wonderful
Wow, just wow! Thank you Joe.
Thanks John….Joe
thanks swappers
Thanks Joe! That was some fabulous history there!
Thanks for watching Dennis...... joe
In the music industry, just like other industries and professions, there are so many things that happen in the background that often go overlooked or they are simply unknown to most people. I am so thankful for the work Joe Chambers and the Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum has done documenting many of these. In this particular case, a question I've had for many years has been answered - why did Lynyrd Skynyrd have so much trouble initially gaining traction with music industry executives? Jimmy Johnson answers that question in this interview.
Former Lynyrd Skynyrd manager Alan Walden errantly had the infamous Muscle Shoals recording loaded on the tape reel incorrectly, playing on the back side of the tape (which sounds horrible if you've ever heard this happen). When playing the demo tape for music executives, the audio quality was terrible, resulting in record labels passing on the band. Johnson goes on to explain this led to a rift between he and Ronnie Van Zant, how this error was finally discovered and resolved by sound engineer Kevin Elston, leading to Van Zant calling Johnson to profoundly apologize for the misunderstanding.
This undoubtedly is why Van Zant worked "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers, and they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do). Lord they get me off so much, they pick me up when I'm feeling blue, now how ‘bout you" into the Sweet Home Alabama the lyrics.
Thank you Joe!
Wow. What a fantastic story. The Swampers were lucky to be right in the middle of the "Southern Sound" which swept the country. Everybody was going to Muscle Shoals to record. Even the Rolling Stones, I think, or maybe just Keith Richards. He was really into the blues. But can you imagine making great music with all the groups and individuals who recorded there? Their musicianship must be so high up on the scale by now. Playing with all kinds of people expands you as a musician, and all you young people should be experimenting playing with people they're not necessarily comfortable with. Just look at it as a learning experience and suck up all the knowledge you can. If you've always played hard rock, try playing with some bluegrass players. If you've been playing Top 40 try playing Top 1000.
All the Stones were there except their producer who had strangely disappeared. So guess who ended up Producing Wild Horses and Brown Sugar..why Jimmy Johnson of course and Keith was introduced to Miss Mini's Famous Fried Chicken. after sitting on the toilet and writing Wild Horses.The unknowing young girl at the counter gave keith a coupon for his next visit. Of course they were gone by the next day so he was unable to cash in on the the 5 cent savings!
The Southern Rock sound started with Duane Allman and Wilson Pickett at the end of Hey Jude!!!!
Wow, unreal!
Thanks for watching Steve..... Joe
You are awesome love your content
Thanks for watching Rick.....Joe
Thanks for this Joe...
Thanks for supporting our channel drmorg.... joe
First and Last is my ALL TIME favorite album.
Awesome
Great job here Joe- your doin good work. Take care🤜🏻🤛🏻- Mike
Thanks Mike... joe
Wow great story thank you
You’re welcome Tom... thank you for watching... joe
I really find the MSS version of Freebird quite unique from the others and really enjoy it after hearing Koopers production for years. I would say it's a better version but I'm way older now and my preferences may have changed over the years. I wish I heard both years ago and got the chance to compare.
Thanks for sharing your comments 6...... Joe
I agree 100% ... but I'm no whipper snapper either
Awesome story! ‘’Just like we planned it” 😂 ! Thanks, Joe!💫
Hi Larry... yeah... that was funny wasn’t it:).... joe
Muscle Shoals got the Swampers
Theyve been known to pick a song or two
Lord, they give me so much
They pick me up when Im feeling blue
How bout ypu?
Thanks for watching John.... joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks Joe! Keep up the GREAT WORK, sir!
Thank you John... joe
Seems that so much in music and life is serendipitous...
That’s true Keystone.... Best, Joe
Somebody should do an interview on and about you joe, I've learned so much about other people from you that I would love to know more about where you got your beginning in the music industry
Hi Bruce... well there’s a couple... one by The Sessions and one by NAMM. We also did a number of Q&A videos after the Corona shut everything down that I answered a lot of viewer questions... thanks for the kinds words ... Best, Joe
"Give me back my old boat -
I'm gonna see if she floats -
'Cause I got them deep river blues -
I'm going back to Muscle Shoals
Times gettin' better where I'm goin
Lord I got them Deep River Blues"
"Deep River Blues" - Doc Watson
😁👍
"FREE BIRD" is the Creme de la Creme of American Rock!! I must've listened to that song 500+ times by the age of 17. The build- up is AMAZING. AND the solo NEVER gets boring!! Though "LYNYRD SKYNYRD" is considered a Southern Rock band... "FREE BIRD" transcended all subgenres- it's just an incredible ROCK SONG that changes from ballad to in-your-face HARD ROCK JAMMING GUITARS, BASS, DRUMS, etc. "Rossington and Collins" immortalized, not only "LYNYRD SKYNRYD" with that song... but what "ROCK MUSIC" stood for- "FREEDOM!!" I saw them play one time with Ronnie's brother singing- it was a flawless performance!! AND the incredible bass player, "LEON WILKESON" is from my home state!! There's a bass line in "FREE BIRD" that ascends during one of the main musical climaxes in the guitar/s solo- nothing short of AMAZING!! However, that was "ED KING" ( formerly of "Strawberry Alarm Clock"), who recorded the original studio bassline... and it's THUNDEROUS!! Another great interview, Joe!!
Glad you enjoyed it mmo.... joe
But it's the live version(s) that do it for me
My friend Noel owned the place during that interview. I stayed there off and on in 2003.
That was awesome. Never heard that story
Thanks for watching Clayton..... joe
Wait for it Ronnie... Wait for it.... THANK YOU!
good Stuff, RVZ was the man!
That's a great story about the flipped around tape. I wont forget that one.
Awesome history.
Thanks for watching Labs.. joe
Even muffled backwards tape somebody should've recognized that talent!!
AND there's NO WAY that HISTORICAL piece of MUSIC- "FREEBIRD"- could've been edited to 3.5 minutes!!
I live here so I have to like this lol
Muchisimas gracias Jimmy, Roger, David and especially you, Joe. This baby boomer, former dj on a CO public radio station (check out kdnk.org), music fan really appreciates all the memories. Al Kooper was mentioned many times in this interview. Is there a treasure in the Vault with him? Pura Vida from Costa Rica
Jane... thanks for watching.... yes..... there are a couple more video interviews with Al Kooper if you look on our channel... thanks... Joe
Rock on
Yes more Skynyrd pleeze !!
Thanks for watching Kent.... Joe
The Greatest band of all time
My dad was an owner of Broadway Sound Studios in Sheffield, AL in the late 60's and 70's and I thought I wanted to become a sound engineer so I shadowed David Johnson, the sound engineer, producer, COO of the studios. I became the GOFER whenever I was in studio trying to learn engineering. Skynard came in to the studios several times while I was there which was cool since I had become a fan and attended their concerts when they came through. I think I remember David telling me that they used Broadway Sound to record some of their first demos which were initial recordings used to pitch their songs because it was cheaper to use Broadway Sound studio time back in the day than to use Fame or Muscle Shoals Sound and as starving artists at the time, every dollar had to count and be used to further their career. I believe David told me that Free Bird was one of the demos they recorded there and it might have been the first recording of that song ever.
Wow
Can't believe that those record people didn't know how to thread a tape across the heads properly. Usually in most cases the oxide side is duller than the backiing side. I've gone thru so so so many tape recorders and flipping the tape happens but when it doesn't sound right check the tape, sometimes the tape might even not be tracking across the head properly like at an angle.May be it's a god send that you didn't deal with those people, they'd probably screw up your promotion anyway,.
Hi Bodybuilder... yes you’d think someone would have caught it sooner.... Thanks for watching, Joe
Thanks for watching Paul... joe
Unbelievable - as an engineer, I can tell you we were taught to store tape “ tails out”. Any smart guy threading the tape should have known that.
@MG Stevens 456 was the BEST.
What a heartbreaker of a story! Two freaking years! The crap we went through with tape..... I was finishing tracking a reggae song back in the ‘80’s at a nice little studio with an 8 track Tascam. I had tracked some backwards guitar sounds and then we flipped the tape back and recorded two so more tracks and were just getting the last track on when I looked over and saw the tape wrapping around the capstan and ruining about two weeks worth of work! I just walked out of the control room, went upstairs to the bar and got trashed. We never did re-track that song at that studio. I would have loved to have worked for the Swampers, even just being a tape operator or whatever. Thanks Joe!
Thanks for sharing your story Tom.....