(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) is the debut studio album by American rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, released on August 13, 1973, by MCA Records. Recording took place in Doraville, Georgia at Studio One, following a lengthy period of rehearsals. Prior to the album's conception, many of its songs were already featured in Lynyrd Skynyrd's live repertoire. To promote it, the band released "Gimme Three Steps" and "Free Bird" as singles; these, along with "Simple Man" and "Tuesday's Gone", are among the band's best-known songs.
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) received acclaim from music critics, and brought the band to the forefront of the Southern rock genre in the 1970s. The album peaked at 27 on the Billboard 200, and received gold and double platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Recording
Most of the songs on the album had been in the band's live repertoire for some time. The band found a rural rehearsal space near Jacksonville, Florida, which they nicknamed "Hell House" due to the long hours spent there jamming in the intense Florida heat, and it was there that they composed and ran through the songs endlessly until they were perfected. Producer Al Kooper marveled at how well prepared the band were once they entered the studio; every note was immutable and absolutely no improvisation was allowed.
Atlanta Rhythm Section drummer and friend of the band Robert Nix was requested by Van Zant and Kooper to play on the track "Tuesday's Gone".
As the band worked up "Simple Man" in rehearsal, Kooper expressed his feeling that the song was weak and should not be included on the album. The band felt differently on both counts and could not change Kooper's mind. Ultimately, Van Zant escorted the producer outside to his car and ordered him to remain there until the song was recorded. The band recorded the song on their own with the producer absent from the studio, and it subsequently became one of Lynyrd Skynyrd's best known tracks.
Release
The album was released through MCA Records on August 13, 1973.
Reception
(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd) immediately put the band on the rock-and-roll map. Upon its release, rock journalist Robert Christgau acknowledged the quality of the songs and gave the album an "A" rating while referring to Lynyrd Skynyrd as a "staunchly untranscendent band". Kooper, a close friend of Pete Townshend, secured the band a spot opening for the Who on their American tour, and Lynyrd Skynyrd was subsequently exposed to much larger audiences than they had ever seen before.
Track listing
- Sides one and two were combined as tracks 1–8 on CD reissues.
Personnel
Personnel according to liner notes.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Ronnie Van Zant – lead vocals
- Gary Rossington – lead guitar , rhythm guitar
- Allen Collins – lead guitar , rhythm guitar
- Ed King – bass , lead guitar
- Billy Powell – keyboards
- Bob Burns – drums
- Leon Wilkeson – bass
Additional personnel
- Al Kooper ("Roosevelt Gook") – bass, Mellotron, and harmony vocals ; mandolin & bass drum ; organ
- Robert Nix – drums
- Bobbye Hall – percussion
- Steve Katz – harmonica
Technical
- Al Kooper – producer, engineer
- Bob "Tub" Langford – engineer
- Rodney Mills – engineer
- Thomas Hill – photography
- Michael Diehl – design
Charts
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! Chart (1973)
! Peak<br/>position
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