The Man Who Produced Lynyrd Skynyrd & How They Rose to Fame 

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

“3-chord rock ‘n roll always comes back” Amen to that Al Kooper. People will always dig great rock bands.

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!!

Three-chord rock always comes back because it's grounded in the blues. And the blues is eternal.

Al Kooper your contribution to rock and roll and rock is duly appreciated my man

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!🤩😍😎

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.

That's all it takes sometimes. One person to believe in you. Skynyrd had the talent. Kooper had the connections.

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.

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

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 .

Ok boys, instead of continuing to play in this dive bar, I'm going to send you out as openers for the Who.

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”.

Man he's some cool dude n tells a real good story...

That happened when music was music the stuff that is out today doesn't light a candle to real rock

I could listen to Al Kooper for hours. Actually, I think I have.

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.

Al's book "Backstage Passes and Backstabbing Bastards" is a wonderful, hilarious read if you have the time.

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 🙏🏼❤️

I was one of those teenagers that FreeBird became an anthem for!

" Mr.Yankee slicker with a big old southern grin"

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.

great story! i remember when the skynyrd was new, they were indeed like a breath of fresh air for the old radio

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

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!

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.

Time well spent watching this. Al Kooper has great memory and he's worked among some of the best ever.

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.

I didn't know Al Kooper worked with the Candymen, later, Atlanta Rhythm Section. He's all over music that kicks ass.

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.

Jacksonville rocks the South and the who world,amen..

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.

Don't Ask No Questions is my favorite number by that band.

Skynyrd's easily in the top 10 greatest american rock bands of all time at least they are in mine no question.

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.

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.

Great to hear to the back stories from these classic recordings. Al comes across as a great guy to have a beer with. Y

Another great video .. thanks man .. Wow! :)

This video... was time well spent.

Great story. Al tells it so good. I saw skynrd on that Who tour. They blew the Who off the stage. Very powerful!!!

Great interview Koop! Loved it 👍🏼

Great interview love al koopers Skynyrd storys 🙂

Another chunk of gold...Al's fast becoming my favourite interviewee on here!

Great story teller!

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.

Great stuff - thanks Al!

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.

“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.

I saw Skynyrd open for the Who about that time, in the Spectrum in Philly. Al introduced them, which made my night!

Rock and Rolll Hall of Fame can kiss my ass- th Musicians Hall of Fame is the real deal. Thanks Joe !

Amazing stuff

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!

Wow, Al has been all over the scene.

every time i watch your'e videos i learn something new , keep them coming joe great stuff...

I’ve just found the channel and subbed up. The only thing wrong with these are some are way too short. This was fabulous.

What great stories! This is important work, Joe and we appreciate it. You are one of the best music interviewers too.

Boy another great story from the legend himself mr.al kooper hope there is more from him I crave stuff like this thanks

I really love this channel, great.stories about music, you.know, real music with real musicians, not like the crap you hear today

Yah, and I would rather hear Freebird over stairway any day

I'd like 3 chord rock to make a comeback soon - real soon...

God bless the ears, intuition, and producer savvy smarts of one cool cat, Al Kooper, thank you Al ~

SUPER !!!

That was great...as always, thanks for posting!

Thank you! These. Videos are great!

Incredible story!

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!

that is an awesome story!

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.

Al is one of my favorite guys in music.

The "Big old yankee slicker with a big old southern grin" Al Cooper

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!

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.

I can listen to Al Cooper tell stories all day long. Great interview~Tanks.

Love hearing Big Al telling it.He should get an award.

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.

There will never be another decade like the 70s. What a great time it was. Great episode thanks.

Thanks For Sharing ! FREEKING AWESOME !!!!!!!

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.

Brilliant

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.

A piece of music history :-)

Just found you and subscribed. These back stories are so interesting. Keep them coming.

I could sit and listen to Al Kooper stories all day long.

Thanks for the excellent content.

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 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!

Great story

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!!!

Great interview, seems like the neighbor next door kinda guy- Awesome

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!

Great channel! Al is an awesome storyteller. Skynyrd was one of the all time great bands live.

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

Allen played rythm like lead the way he rolled the notes and hammer in’s pull offs and picking in between, just awesome

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

Man I enjoyed that very much. That’s rock history.

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!

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.

Woah! Thank you Joe!