Leon Russell Wilkeson

Leon Russell Wilkeson

1952 - 2001

Leon Russell Wilkeson was Born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 2 1952 His sister Marlene recalls Leon as a "hand full" It seemed liked he was ALWAYS into something!

While in high school in Jacksonville, Florida, Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Allen Collins (guitar), and Gary Rossington (guitar) formed My Backyard. Within a few months, the group added bassist Leon Wilkeson and keyboardist Billy Powell, and changed their name to Lynyrd Skynyrd, a mocking tribute to their gym teacher Leonard Skinner, who was notorious for punishing students with long hair.

With drummer Bob Burns, Lynyrd Skynyrd began playing throughout the South.

Leon Wilkeson was known to Lynyrd Skynyrd fans as "The Man of Many Hats." "The Mad Hatter" & "The Cat in the Hat" He had a huge collection of hats - many that fans and friends gave him, but as was said at Leon's funeral by Leon's eloquent friend, Butch Lanham, "Today Leon wears a NEW hat - a Crown".
Even though he made playing look so easy and natural - only those closest to him KNEW the pain that he endured during each performance with Lynyrd Skynyrd in order to bring his fans the very best performance and good time that he could.

Among "non-musician" types, Leon Wilkeson was probably one of the most underrated bassplayers of all time. Like many of the other members of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Leon never received the "cudos" from the "music critics" that were due him.

During the infamous and tragic plane crash in October of 1977 that took the lives of other dear members of the Lynyrd Skynyrd band, Leon was the most seriously injured band member of those who survived the crash in McComb, MS.

Leon's oldest sister, Marlene Wilkeson Lusk, related the account of the aftermath of the crash , and she said that her dear brother Leon "died" 3 times at the McComb hospital before physicians were able to stabilize him enough to begin work on the repairing of his injuries.

His left arm (the "fretting" arm) was totally crushed, and even after finally leaving various hospitals, Leon still had to endure years of more surgeries and rehabilitation before he could even begin to play the bass again, not to mention the other numerous injuries he suffered.

In essence, Leon literally had to learn to play the bass all over again - and what a testament to his dedication and love for what he did that Leon was able to come back and play the BEST bass he had ever played in his life!