Leonard Skinner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leonard Skinner
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Forby Leonard Skinner
January 11, 1933 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | September 20, 2010 (aged 77) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Florida State University |
| Occupation | High school gym teacher, realtor, bar owner |
| Known for | Namesake of rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, "Arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture" – The New York Times |
Forby Leonard Skinner (born January 11, 1933 – died September 20, 2010) was a high school gym teacher, basketball coach, and businessman from Jacksonville, Florida. He is well-known because the famous rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was named after him. Skinner was their teacher when the band members were in high school.
About Leonard Skinner
Leonard Skinner was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1933. He went to Robert E. Lee High School and graduated in 1951. He then attended Jacksonville Junior College with a basketball scholarship. After serving in the U.S. Army, Skinner went to Florida State University and finished his studies in 1957.
For many years, Skinner worked as a gym teacher at his old school, Robert E. Lee High School. He also coached basketball at other schools.
The Story Behind the Name
Several members of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, including Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, and Bob Burns, were students at Robert E. Lee High School in the 1960s. The school had rules about how long students' hair could be. Skinner, as a teacher, had to make sure these rules were followed.
The band members often tried to hide their long hair. But after gym class, when they had to shower, it became clear their hair was longer than allowed. The group decided to change their name to "Lynyrd Skynyrd" as a fun way to remember their gym teacher.
Skinner later said he was just doing his job by following the school rules. He didn't want people to think he was especially hard on the band members. He said, "It was against the school rules. I don't particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn't my rule." However, he also said the band members were "good, talented, hard-working boys." His son believed that Skinner eventually enjoyed the fame that came from the band naming themselves after him.
Later Life and Legacy
Skinner stopped coaching in 1970. He then worked in real estate. In 1975, he let the band use a photo of his "Leonard Skinner Realty" sign for the inside of their album, Nuthin' Fancy. After the album came out, Skinner started getting calls from fans all over the country who saw his sign and phone number.
Skinner became friends with some of the band members. He even opened a bar in Jacksonville called "The Still," and later named other bars after himself, using the famous name.
In January 2009, people in Jacksonville held an event to honor him called "A Tribute to Coach Leonard Skinner & Southern Rock." The local newspaper described him as "a coach and businessman with a strong code of honor."
Leonard Skinner passed away on September 20, 2010, at the age of 77. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. After he died, The New York Times called him "arguably the most influential high school gym teacher in American popular culture."
