(pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) was the debut album from Lynyrd Skynyrd, released in 1973. The album features several of the band’s most well-known songs, including “Gimme Three Steps,” “Simple Man,” “Tuesday’s Gone,” and “Free Bird,” which launched the band to national stardom.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s debut album was released July 13, 1973 on MCA Records. It was certified gold on December 18, 1974, platinum and 2x platinum on July 21, 1987 by the RIAA, and also peaked at 27 in the Billboard 200 in 1975
Leon Wilkeson Photo By: Getty Images
Bassist Leon Wilkeson left the band during the album's early recording sessions, playing on only two tracks. He would later return when it was time to take the photo for the album cover and embark on the tour for the album
Strawberry Alarm Clock guitarist Ed King was asked to fill in for Wilkeson on bass during the remaining sessions after he left the band. After Wilkeson returned, King remained with the band and was made a member, so that they could replicate the triple-guitar lead during live performances
Smokey and the Bandit Photo By: Mike Windle/Getty Images
The album cover photograph was taken on Main Street in Jonesboro, Georgia. Coincidentally, the photo of the band is only a few feet away from what would be the film scene where Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed loaded the Coors beer onto the tractor trailer rig in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit four years later
Won’t You Give Me Three Steps? Photo By: PRPhotos.com
Gimme Three Steps” is based on a real-life experience Ronnie Van Zant had at a biker bar in Jacksonville known as The Pastime, including having a gun pulled on him, and thus inspiring him to write the lyrics on his way home
Simple Man Photo By: PRPhotos.com
Since "Simple Man" became available for digital download, it has become Lynyrd Skynyrd's third best-selling digital song after "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Free Bird,” selling well over a million copies
