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Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album, released 50 years ago, continues to captivate fans worldwide. The album was rehearsed in a rented cabin, where the band blended blues, country, and rock using various classic guitars. The album features a three-pronged guitar assault, with Allen Collins using his modified 1964 Gibson Firebird I and Gary Rossington playing his 1969 Gibson SG Standard. Producer Al Kooper added an ethereal touch to the album with a Mellotron keyboard. Despite the band’s tragic end, their first album remains one of the most impressive rock debuts. uDiscover Music reported
The origins of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album, released 50 years ago, can be traced back to a humble wooden cabin located next to a creek in rural Florida. Despite its modest beginnings, this album has captivated fans worldwide with its undeniable appeal.
The six members of the band, consisting of Ronnie Van Zant as the vocalist, guitarists Gary Rossington and Allen Collins, bassist Ed King, keyboard player Billy Powell, and drummer Bob Burns, rehearsed tirelessly in their rented cabin, situated 15 miles south of Jacksonville. This secluded location allowed them the freedom to create a unique blend of blues, country, and rock music, amplified by their impressive collection of classic guitars and a few lesser-known instruments.
Following the completion of their album, the band would undergo a transformation, incorporating a three-pronged guitar attack as Ed King switched to guitar when the original bassist, Leon Wilkeson, rejoined the group. This resulted in a seven-piece band, as depicted on the album cover. However, on their first album, it was the formidable combination of Rossington and Collins that propelled Lynyrd Skynyrd forward with their twin guitar prowess, showcased on tracks like “I Ain’t The One” and “Things Going On.”
During the recording sessions at Studio One in Doraville, Georgia, Allen Collins predominantly used his 1964 Gibson Firebird I, a distinctive “reverse” style guitar known for its unusual body shape. Collins had modified his guitar with different pickups and a new neck, which contributed to his masterful solo on the iconic track “Free Bird.” Meanwhile, Gary Rossington utilized his cherry-finish 1969 Gibson SG Standard to create the mournful slide guitar that resonates throughout the beginning of this revered song. He cleverly used a small bottle, previously emptied of its cold-relief tablets, as a slide on his middle finger, a technique recommended by Duane Allman. Rossington also showcased his skills on his 1969 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop and sunburst ’59 Les Paul Standard, while Collins opted for a white ’69 Gibson SG Standard.
The album’s sonic palette wasn’t limited to straightforward rock sounds. The ethereal and orchestral-like sound heard during the second verse of “Tuesday’s Gone” was achieved with the help of producer Al Kooper and a Mellotron. This unique keyboard instrument, often referred to as the original sampler, utilized tape loops of real instruments to create backing rhythms, accompaniments, and lead sounds. Originally designed to rival the Hammond organ, the Mellotron gained popularity in the ’60s and ’70s as a distinctive way to emulate orchestral instruments, as demonstrated by Kooper.
Four years after the release of “Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd),” the band faced tragic circumstances that tore them apart. Nevertheless, their first album remains an enduring testament to their remarkable debut in the rock genre. The band’s relentless rehearsals in the renowned cabin played a significant role in this achievement, but the equipment they employed should not be underestimated.
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