Leonard Skinner was a basketball coach and hardass gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla., in the late 1960s. Back in the day, he sent a group of students to the principal’s office because their hair was too long and they refused to cut it. Those rebellious teens would later form a band using a twist on Skinner’s name as their own. He even let them use a photograph of his later business, Leonard Skinner Realty, for the inside art of their third album, Nuthin’ Fancy.

On the band’s official website, Gary Rossington had this to say about the passing of Skinner,” Coach Skinner had such a profound impact on our youth that ultimately led us to naming the band, which you know as Lynyrd Skynyrd, after him. Looking back, I cannot imagine it any other way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Leonard Skinner died peacefully in his sleep on September 20th in Jacksonville. He was 77.

That’s because Lynyrd Skynyrd will be performing along country greats Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift and more!

A record-breaking storm in early May dumped more than a foot of rain in two days, causing overwhelming floods that killed nearly 20 people, and damaged the homes and businesses of thousands more. Tonight’s benefit concert will raise money for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

This is the second time this year that Lynyrd Skynyrd has been associated with country music. A group of country artists including Eric Church, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson and more have taken beloved Lynyrd Skynyrd songs like “Tuesday’s Gone” and “Sweet Home Alabama” and made them their own. The CD is called Sweet Home Alabama - The Country Music Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd.

If you can’t make it to tonight’s concert, don’t worry! Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets are for sale for their current “Gods & Guns” tour, which runs through Sept. 3.

Lynyrd Skynyrd will be hosting your 4-day luxury getaway and has plans to announce other artists joining the floating concert throughout this year.  Simplemancruise.com is your one-stop shop for information on tickets, the ship, itinerary, and more.  Performances will take place morning to night up on the Lido Deck.  Roll out of bed and grab a poolside seat and experience what a vacation is truly about!

Even though Skynyrd is thrilled to be cruising for their fifth time, they have made a statement this will be their last venture on the high seas for the time being. So don’t miss out on this one because not even the band knows when you will have the next opportunity!

Keep checking back for more Lynyrd Skynyrd news.

“The band and I have been friends with Bret for years and are looking forward to finally getting to tour with him,” Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant said. “It’s going to be a kick-ass show complete with new music plus all the fan favorites.”

Adding .38 Special makes the tour a bit of a Van Zant reunion - Johnny sings lead vocals for Skynyrd, and his older brother, Donnie, sings and plays guitar in .38 Special. You can be sure the tour will include some sort of tribute to their late brother and Skynyrd founding member, Ronnie, who died in a plane crash in October 1977.

Lynyrd Skynyrd tickets are your passport to fun this summer. Tour stops include Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, and Hartford, to name a few. More news, and dates, to come soon!