Título: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Seção: Early years
Background: Lynyrd Skynyrd ( LEN-@rd-SKIN-@rd) is an American rock band best known for having popularized the Southern rock genre during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1964 as My Backyard in Jacksonville, Florida, the band was also known by names such as The Noble Five and One Percent, before finally deciding on "Lynyrd Skynyrd" in 1969. The band gained worldwide recognition for its live performances and signature songs "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird". At the peak of their success, band members Ronnie Van Zant and Steve Gaines, and backup singer Cassie Gaines, died in an airplane crash in 1977, putting an abrupt end to the 1970s era of the band.

Conteúdo: In the summer of 1964, teenage friends Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Larry Junstrom formed the earliest incarnation of the band in Jacksonville, Florida as My Backyard. The band then changed its name to The Noble Five. The band used different names before using One Percent during 1968.  In 1969, Van Zant sought a new name. The group settled on Leonard Skinnerd, a mocking tribute to physical education teacher Leonard Skinner at Robert E. Lee High School. Skinner was notorious for strictly enforcing the school's policy against boys having long hair. Rossington dropped out of school, tired of being hassled about his hair. The more distinctive spelling "Lynyrd Skynyrd" was being used at least as early as 1970. Despite their high school acrimony, the band developed a friendlier relationship with Skinner in later years, and invited him to introduce them at a concert in the Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum. Skinner also allowed the band to use a photo of his Leonard Skinner Realty sign for the inside of their third album.  By 1970, Lynyrd Skynyrd had become a top band in Jacksonville, headlining at some local concerts, and opening for several national acts. Pat Armstrong, a Jacksonville native and partner in Macon, Georgia-based Hustlers Inc. with Phil Walden's younger brother, Alan Walden, became the band's managers. Armstrong left Hustlers shortly thereafter to start his own agency. Walden stayed with the band until 1974, when management was turned 

user: Who started the band?

assistant: Ronnie Van Zant, Bob Burns, Allen Collins, Gary Rossington, and Larry Junstrom formed the earliest incarnation of the band

user: Why did they choose the name Lynyrd Skynyrd?

assistant: a mocking tribute to physical education teacher Leonard Skinner

user: Why were they mocking the teacher?

assistant: Skinner was notorious for strictly enforcing the school's policy against boys having long hair.

user: Did Mr. Skinner have anything to say about the band?

assistant: Despite their high school acrimony, the band developed a friendlier relationship with Skinner in later years,

user: Did he have any more involvement with the band?

assistant: invited him to introduce them at a concert in the Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum.

user: Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?

assistant: By 1970, Lynyrd Skynyrd had become a top band in Jacksonville,

user: Did the remaining band members try to keep the band going?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: What kind of gigs did they do in Jacksonville?

assistant: headlining at some local concerts, and opening for several national acts.

user: Which national acts did they open for?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER