Ebook Lynyrd Skynyrd Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock Audible Audio Edition Gene Odom Frank Dorman contributor Arthur Flavell Tantor Audio Books

Product details Audible Audiobook Listening Length 8 hours and 14 minutes Program Type Audiobook Version Unabridged Publisher Tantor Audio Audible.com Release Date January 30, 2019 Whispersync for Voice Ready Language English, English ASIN B07MVK9ZRP

Lynyrd Skynyrd Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock Audible Audio Edition Gene Odom Frank Dorman contributor Arthur Flavell Tantor Audio Books Reviews

• This is the best book I've read on Lynyrd Skynyrd. I've read reviews of the band and short articles in magazines etc but nothing comes close to reading the history from someone who was actually there and survived the plane crash. Ronnie Van Zant was a genius when it came to (not) writing songs down. This is one band who's music will live forever. I've added this book to my collection of Biographies and Auto-biographies. It's right up there with Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, The Allman Brothers, Suzi Quatro ,U2 and Charlie Daniels This is an awesome read and I highly recommend it to any Skynyrd fan.
• Gene Odom explains how this book came about. After the first of his books was published, he was hoping that someone would write a more detailed account of the band. When those hopes weren't realized, he wrote this book.
  
  The Prologue recounted some of the mechanical problems with the plane on the band's last few trips on tour leading up to the crash.
  
  This book had a lot of trivia type information about Lynyrd Skynyrd.
  Some of that information was
  *The source of the band's name,which is already widely-known.
  *Explains what the "bullets" in "Give Me Back My Bullets" actually were.
  *Who Curtis Lowe was.
  *The source for some of the lyrics, "Freebird" comes to mind.
  *The real reason behind the mention of Neil Young in "Sweet Home Alabama" and Young's reaction to it.
  *The identity of "the Swampers" from "Sweet Home Alabama."
  *Some of the musical influences on various band members were listed.
  
  This is an entertaining book that details some of the growing pains of early Lynyrd Skynyrd. He tells of the revolving door of members and some of the contributions those members made. Paticularly Ed King and Ricky Medlocke, who rejoined the latest version of the band. The many bass players that were involved over time and the dynamic additions of Steve Gaines and the female backup singers.
  The guidance from Al Kooper in the studio proved beneficial for the band.
  
  The rare, close partnership of Gary Rossington and Allen Collins really made the Skynyrd sound what it was from early on.
  
  The work ethic was lengendary and brutal. Ronnie Van Zant's financial management skills were detailed. He was the leader and the authors spend more time reminiscing about Van Zant because of it. I don't think that's detrimental to the book.
  
  The authors also told of some of the contemporary bands that Lynyrd Skynyrd had ties with, most notably the Allman Brothers Band and many musicians in the area.
  
  Another interesting aspect of the band was how Ronnie Van Zant went about putting the band together.
  
  "Lynyrd SkynyrdRemembering the Freebirds of Rock" is a no-frills book and it doesn't ignore ugly issues like drug use or the fights. None of the band members were saints. They were a very talented group of musicians that had the right music at precisely the right time.
  
  Gene Odom ends the book with the crash, the aftermath, and the events leading up to the reforming of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
  He also discusses three main theories on what could have caused the airplane to run out of fuel. That's a mystery in itself. The tragedy didn't end at the plane crash as surviving members have suffered various deaths and troubles later on.
  
  This is an entertaining biography of one of the classic southern rock bands that would be enjoyed by any Lynyrd Skynyrd fan.
• Anyone who loves Lynyrd Skynyrd and their music, you must read this book!! If I had Gene Odom's address, I would personally write him and thank him for sharing this part of his life he spent with Ronnie VanZant and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Not only was I able to get to "know" Ronnie VanZant and each member of the band, but I learned the messages/meanings/stories to/behind so many of their songs. Ronnie VanZant was an amazing artist; the music industry lost a great one back in October 1977. The musical talent he had for back-up was unbelievable. To have seen them in concert must have been an experience to never forget.
  Even though I knew the ending of the book would consist of telling the story of the fatal crash and the band losing Ronnie, Steve and Cassie Gaines and Dean Kilpatrick, I cried uncontrollably for at least an hour.
  People are often asked, if there was one person who has since deceased and you could spend a day with, well, I would want to spend a day with Ronnie VanZant, bass fishing and him hopefully sharing a few stories and maybe even talking a little music.
  Thank you again, Gene Odom, for sharing with us.
  Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird, forever!!!!!
• Gene Odom grew-up with Ronnie Van Zant from early childhood; was his personal bodyguard, and head of security for Lynyrd Skynyrd. He personally knew all the players involved. He gives a genuine, firsthand account of life with the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band; backstage, on-the-road and behind the scenes. It's easy to feel the heartfelt love this man (Odom) has for his long lost friend, Ronnie Van Zant. My heart goes out to Mr. Odom because he feels he could've/should've done something more to have prevented the crash that shook the music world, devasted families, friends, and an ever-growing, faithful fan-base. It's good to learn that Mr. Odom has finally let go of feelings of guilt and responsibility -- he was a true friend to the end. This is one to read again and again. I couldn't put it down. Required Lynyrd Skynyrd reading. Thank you for writing this book, Mr. Odom.
• As someone who knew the VanZants way before there was a Lynyrd Skynyrd band, Gene Odum shares his recollections in a straight forward way without "embellishing" either the good or the bad. He tells it like it was. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Funny thing is, I actually lived just across Lake Shore Drive (on Quan Drive) from the VanZants from 1960 to 1962 and never knew it until Ronnie and the band hit the big time. Gene's unbiased bio of perhaps one of the most influential rock bands of the '70s is refreshing in it's simplicity and honesty.
• The author was a long-time associate of the band, and the book is well-researched. Even though it outlines a complete history of the band for the true fanatic, the reader never gets a complete picture of each member's personality. Minor events are explicated exhaustively, and major ones glossed over.
• This is an awesome book! It gives so much insight to the personalities and musical genius and talent of the group.
• Gets behind the scenes 2ith an upclose look of my favorite southern rockers!