Leonard Skinner

L to R: Former Lynyrd Skynyrd band member & R&R Hall of Famer Artimus Pyle,

Southern rock star C. J. Dubuisson, & Leonard Skinner

In the 60's, Leonard Skinner was a basketball coach and gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida. During his time there, he was a strict enforcer of the school's policy against males having long hair. In 1970 a group of musicians comprised of Skinner's former students decided to rename their band Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mock salute to their former teacher, who had often told them that they would never amount to anything.

One day, while patronizing one of Leonard Skinner's establishments, the band invited him to introduce them at their upcoming concert in their hometown, and he accepted.