Parties, drugs and Dracula - all you need to know about the 1970s / Hanging Out With Gene Odom

[@ussles1196]

God Bless Gene for sharing his life with us, its helping to heal me. A wound I felt from 1977, I carry till today and will till the day I die, he's helping me though. Therapy I guess. Thanks Gene

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

God bless you man,hope you get better.

[@clausm2203]

Man i love all these old skynyrd storys wish i could have seen them live back then

[@clausm2203]

@Will Robinson i could only imagine but glad there is still some great live footage but it's still not the same as being there

[@MP-ju4ol]

You would have loved them. They were very real and great at blending the sound of the South with Rebel Rock n Roll.

[@dianabaldwin8562]

Love hearing all the things he knows He's a walking encyclopedia

[@allancove4483]

I could listen to Gene all day, all night, all the time!

[@steveng1624]

If you wanna know the truth about Lynyrd Skynyrd just ask Gene Odom, promise he will tell you like it was. Thanks Gene and keep doing what you're doing because we all love it...

[@1bravelady54]

Hey Gene I met you many years ago I was in love with your brother Carl at that time you gave me a signed copy of the first book you wrote about your experiences on the road with the band, the book was stolen many years later. I am glad you are still with us and have done so much for the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd and our old stopping grounds a huge thank you and I am proud no matter what the haters may say. Big hugs and love to all of us who came through and are still standing firm against all odds.

[@moon-ub2xj]

My mom dated Carl to meany years ago a few years ago we tried to locate Carl and found out he had passed away my heart broke I have lots of memories of Carl as a young girl and most of all I will always remember his cologne I loved how he smelled

[@christopherjmarr4328]

Ha that’s interesting

[@christopherjmarr4328]

What’s a flat top guitar ?

[@christopherjmarr4328]

Whose idea was it to put flames behind the band for Street Survivors album ? Whose idea and why ?

[@stanleydavis401]

As an old man myself I gotta tell ya. The older you get the longer it takes to tell a story. Mostly because when talking you remember things and your mind and mouth wander around until you forget the original question.

[@alanlafromboise2927]

I hear that brother, at 66 yrs young ive loved the original Skynyrd since day 1 and as long as i live i may forget once in a while but will never forget ronnie van zandt and Lynyrd Skyyrd!

[@davidpeterson144]

Yes Sir!!

[@bonitawilcox2909]

Great interview....yes it's 2021, but as a late bloomer, I'm very interested in the history of Lynyrd Skynyrd, because listening to their music today lends one to be curious....great band and late brothers absolute favorite....Thank you Gene for giving us insight into Ronnie and Lynyrd Skynyrd as only you can tell🕊️🙏🎸

[@ShawnFanin]

Gene had to be one tough dude back in the day. For Ronnie Van Zant to hire him for head of sacurity.

[@themetalprincess]

Gene is a great story teller for sure.

[@PatriciaLen66]

Man, this was a great episode! Ronnie loved room service, old movies and Dracula movies. He was generous. Gene is a National Treasure. Love to watch you two talk. :-)

[@bigthunder2860]

It's funny listening to Gene,I grew up in the 60s 70s what he was describing was normal in the day,everywhere in the country after the war,and woodstock,Woodstock, gene's honesty about the band,doesn't surprise me at all

[@Augest-west]

I like the lady interviewing Gene because she's asking the questions that people don't usually ask and as a long time Skynyrd fan I actually learned a lot of things I had not known about. Great interview young lady!

[@steveng1624]

Thanks Gene for all of these great stories about you, Ronnie and the rest of the group. I really enjoyed their music and the things Ronnie and you did together as friends. I'm in North Georgia and hope to get out that way one day...

[@ladypaul7932]

I have to admit that when Gene said his brother hates Santa Claus, I laughed and laughed.

[@BeliaLastes]

Thank you Gene for sharing your memories of Ronnie and the others in the band 😊❤

[@TuesdayLoew]

Thank You Gene!

[@virginiadeath4507]

Gotta love Gene.

[@suzieq3815]

God Bless you Gene. You were the best friend you could be to Ronnie Van Zandt.

[@ajunem61]

You're sure to get the juicy stuff when Gene says "I'm not gonna get into the story... because it's too personal... ❤ it

[@roxm7876]

Appreciate the effort here, she is doing what so many would love to do, however she seems to not have done enough research. Still going to watch these because the stories are so great and really makes you want to time travel to spend one day with the band.

[@jonathanmunsey8215]

Gene! You are the greatest! I could listen to you all day! You are the sweetest!

[@christywhitehead3171]

I love this man stories he's a very honest and a good friend to Ronnie Van Zant God bless him may God take care of him and his family forever and always enjoyed the video

[@tomdragland5809]

Fans of Southern Rock Loves ya Gene!~Tom and Anna~

[@larrytate5605]

this is gold,.so glad these stories are being documented. Gene is no nonsense,.to the point,.no B.S. thats why he is Ronnies treasured friend, and why Ronnie trusted him.

[@garybravo]

Gene you were fun to be around.

[@bigbubbahazelitt6651]

God bless you Gene Odom💯💯💯

[@SJKLR99]

Man I hope all your friends love these stories and don't get sic of em..I could listen to Gene all day

[@mikedonley5450]

To.me.this.is.was.the.best.sounding.band.period im.still playing.and learning . awesome.southern.rock.period.

[@sureiseeyou]

I was 9 or 10 when I heard Free Bird for the 1st time. I fell in love with that song and back then you had to wait until the radio played it again to hear it. I didn't have a record player at that time yet but I had a tape recorder and I remember recording it from the radio. I remember when the crash happened and I remember feeling so bad for them. I got a stereo for xmas and the 1st album I bought was One More From the Road. I remember being shocked by the difference of time in the live version and the radio version. Then I bought the 1st and last album. Those were my favorite albums for a long time. I still had them until a few years ago when I lost all of my albums in a flood in my basement. I was heartbroken. About 1k albums gone. Anyway, I was 12 or 13 when I did a big end of the year school book report for my music class and of course I chose Lynyrd Skynyrd to do it on. Anyway, thank you for these stories.

[@alanpowell4120]

Keep em coming.

[@hangingoutwithgeneodom3699]

Time Codes: 0:00 - Start 0:43 - Ronnie's sister Joanne 2:02 - "Freebird" in car commercial. Facts or fiction? 2:21 - Ronnie's favorite activities in NYC 4:58 - Leon Wilkenson 6:59 - More info about the Hell House 8:23 - Alligator named "Chomp" vs Lynyrd Skynyrd (only in Florida) 10:10 - Why.Was.Jojo.Fired. 12:28 - Lynyrd Skynyrd vs sailors 15:17 - Ronnie and his hats 16:13 - Inspiration for "Raiford" 22:33 - Museum of Southern Rock in Jacksonville? 26:00 - Ronnie's "lucky jeans" were sold off for $9000. What does Gene think of it? 29:30 - The most expensive gift from Ronnie to Gene 29:42 - COMING UP NEXT

[@baneverything5580]

I like ole Gene. I wish I had a friend like him.

[@rascosim1]

Ronnie was very blessed to have a friend like Gene.

[@BaronMcCausland]

"...that boy, hates Santy Clause..." LOL!!!

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

My mawmaw used to say that about our rooster,lol

[@jcg5571]

This young lady conducting the interview is unbelievable stunning in a very classy way. What a classy, beautiful, well mannered lady with a charming accent!

[@saundracecil6377]

GENE Thank you for telling us the truth I wish I would have Known that when Ronnie passed away Thank you so much

[@ronbranum4134]

Ronnie sounds like a very generous guy...

[@billyshane3804]

Gene Whenham is the MAN

[@checkyourhead6467]

Good interview/ interviewer. You can tell she is a fan of the band.

[@MP-ju4ol]

This is an auspicious day, the night that Country Rock died. Their memories are in good hands with Gene. Long live Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mark

[@SourMlkSea]

It most certainly did not. Molly hatchet, list goes on friend. Just one to name.

[@MP-ju4ol]

Southern Rock……..Lynyrd Skynyrd was the best without doubt. Staying within guidelines. Molly Hatchet “was” good but the standard was set for them. Short time, short peak. Skynyrd toured and was the best or toured with the best and created a genre of tri lead guitars. Allman Brothers created the duel.

[@peterbilt-bo1vy]

SOUTHERN ROCK!

[@PhillipC01]

Jo Jo told me that she was supposed to be at the airport to join them on tour the day before the plane crashed.And that she had a dream of the plane crashing the night before & was begging them not to fly on that plane. That why she was ringing their phones off the hook. To warn them.

[@adrianmezzatesta6714]

Thank you Again Gene for the story Especially the Ronnie Van Zant hats I have in memory of Ronnie VanZant from Texas hatter a nice piece of history I have the white one and a black one I m a true Skynyrd fan please keep the story’s updated The whole band was awesome 😎 Thank you Again

[@meatwad1]

It sounds like the Hell House guy had something in common with Jerry Sandusky.

[@toxievope3617]

What a pretty interviewer

[@joydunn2109]

Thanks Gene and to the Lady doing this Interview, so sorry I didn't get your name.

[@jefferywilliams944]

Gene u a good man......

[@TempoDrift1480]

What makes him a "good man" just because he is getting himself attention by talking about being a hanger on?

[@briankeane7672]

Love ya gene !!!! Long live Skynyrd

[@MeatGawds]

I have wood from Hell House Dock. We are building a guitar with it. Those timber’s need to sing and vibrate again. Once complete we will loan it out to touring musicians so the story and the music lives on.

[@keithclark486]

No need there's plenty of Harley Benton's out there.

[@DannyBrooks1]

“That boy hates Santa Claus” 🤣😂😂😆

[@NBKwillydog]

Ever since I came across gene sharing stories on KZbin I wished it would continue and to pick his brain of stories. Thanks to this channel for the awesome content, thank you Gene for being you man! Skynyrd forever!

[@hayleybmadiggunter6798]

Gene Odom for president!

[@RUNNOFT71]

P.s..love Gene and these videos!!

[@huntergillespie9836]

I'd love to sit & talk to Gene..

[@anndaniels3545]

Gene love you! Please make more clips!! Wonderful 🍁🎃

[@beaumontmichaels3575]

Gene will be the last "Street Survivor"!

[@johnmartin3827]

Interviewer is a hottie.

[@rayl.5899]

Anyone know the interviewers name? It’s not mention in the credits or at any time During these interviews. Thanks Guys. Stay safe!

[@haskell71]

I like this man right here.

[@scottharrison9083]

He’s the real deal.

[@5xchamps269]

I love this man

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Weird

[@huntergillespie9836]

I've heard the band came to bristol Virginia/Tennessee to get some song writing inspiration. I'd love to know if that's true & hear about it.

[@Bubbadew]

Wow I loved this. I wasn’t sure if Artimus’ movie was 100% fake or not but this really cleared things up. Just one question though, is Gary’s story about the plane crash factual? Gene, do you still stand by what you said in the VH1 documentary about Ronnie saying Gary was untrustworthy? What about Ronnie’s alleged plans to leave the band, can you go in depth about that some?

[@SourMlkSea]

@Conner he does standby it. Gary tried a hostile takeover of the band name and the right to market himself and the others as the original skynyrd. They were supposed to play as a tribute band and ended up having to, thanks to Gene having an old document that was notary stamped, stating they could never use the name again unless it was a tribute. If it weren't for gene holding onto that for court, Gary would of essentially booted judy, which indirectly boots Ronnies kids, out of stske in the band/ monetary gains for anyone using the name or songs. So I'm sure gene stands by it still. And I love Gary as a guitar player. One of the best.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Uhhh why would Ronnie say that when what you're talking about happening after and because he died?

[@jaywyche416]

I would love to go fishing with gene and i do live pretty close

[@checkyourhead6467]

I'd like to go fishing with the interviewer girl.

[@coreyfellows9420]

I'd love to have him over to a cookout

[@MorGuitarz]

Awesome series & channel. Can you ask Gene what other rock bands that Ronnie (and maybe the rest of the band) liked & disliked after meeting some of their members? Were there any negative stories or experiences with other big bands at the time?

[@RUNNOFT71]

Can you ask Gene what kind of effect Duane Allman's death of The Allman Brothers band, had on the band and/or Ronnie? Or any stories about Ronnie and Duane? Thanks so much!

[@Badfingerbabe777]

I'm also reading Duane's book about wonder about their friendship, Did they know Greg well?? I went to Allman brothers museum in Macon several weeks ago and they had posters that they played together at a few gigs.

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

Wasnt Ronnie's wife a ex of one of the Allman brothers?

[@craigcavaliere6744]

I remember reading that the slide guitar on Freebird is an homage to Duane.

[@rrrttt1112]

I would say there is more to this JoJo story-- considering she was just on the Street Survivors album recording. I think there is alot more we are not being told.

[@rrrttt1112]

@@razzles3837 plus a little more to that, as Allen was to tired by show time as the story goes...... I dont know why we can't hear from someone who was there so we can know if this was indeed the case......just sayin'

[@lynskyrd78]

Watch her video, On youtube....she tells her side of what happen that day.. The Legendary Jo Jo Billingsley of the original LYNYRD SKYNYRD. Thanks Gene love the videos and info.

[@rrrttt1112]

@@lynskyrd78 Oh, I have, but there has been many other stories, of which could have been too embarrassing to admit, just wondering if Gen could share the truth as to what exactly was the reason for her not to be there.

[@nutcracker2916]

@@rrrttt1112 Makes me wonder if her "Premonition" about the plane crash story was true ?

[@xenalawarrior6916]

@@nutcracker2916 I often think that she used that just to have a reason to call band members that night. Trying to get her job back. I imagine Allen's wife was informed about the funny business going on between her husband and JoJo. I imagine the wives put the pressure on Ronnie to get rid of her. It seems like she wasn't very close to Cassie and Leslie. Probably because of her infidelity with Allan. I'm sure JoJo's behavior made them all look bad.

[@davidtrail2696]

"Them four walls of Raiford, closing in on me."

[@Badfingerbabe777]

Who were Ronnie's favorite bands of the time? Did he get to meet any of his favorites? Did he have any favorite TV shows? Rockford Files , Charlies Angels , Six Million Dollar man, Andy Grifth? Did he own a Farrah Poster lol.

[@derhandtrommler]

who care about tv shows ? This is music and musicians, not some TMZ celebrity bullshit.

[@meatwad1]

Ronnie was a big fan of Free.

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

American by birth southern by the grace of God.

[@christopherjmarr4328]

Whose idea and why was it to have flames behind the band for Street Survivors album ? Discuss the metaphors etc.

[@HighlanderNorth1]

😳 Oh man, I hope that 'snap' sound just after 14:08 wasn't his rotator cuff snapping! He tried to lift his left arm up when talking about Ronnie gifting his hat, and all the sudden there was a "snap" at the very moment ^he grabbed that shoulder with his right hand, and said "I tore a rotator cuff"! If so, that's a scary, cringe-worthy sound! 😣😩

[@derhandtrommler]

rotator cuff tears are excruciating, You'd know if he tore his rc. He'd be howling,

[@MP-ju4ol]

Gene, from what you knew of Ronnie and the way LS evolved what do you think their sound would have become. I heard more Country. Would the band still be plying all together if they all lived? Mark

[@scottharrison9083]

True stories.

[@3lynyrd]

That boy hates Santa Claus 😂😂😂

[@timmccreadie328]

Gene is king

[@marcusnorton1950]

Gene,I have enjoyed your posts for years,I knew all those boys,I knew you too and I know their music. I also knew Richard very well, we wound at the Graybar Hotel in Jax more than several times,he paid my bill a couple of times and wouldn’t let me pay him back as I had helped him with a few tough issues he was having at the time.I think of him often and wish he were still around so we could go over some of those times.A blockbuster movie could be made about him if the right person knew how to capture that much courage in a screenplay.Closest thing I ever saw In a movie to that much resolve was the fight scene in “Cool Hand Luke”. The last words Paul Newman said in that scene was “You gonna have to kill me”.That was the way Richard lived his life as you well know. I was in there for a couple of days the week before he was murdered.I went to the funeral parlor and paid my respects,I believe it was in November of 1982. If they were sued during these days like they should have been Barbara would have gotten paid big time, they were murdering dogs back then and they are murdering dogs today. He was my friend, that friendship shared blood.I hope his kids are doing well.Just like that plane crash you were in, his murder should have never happened.If you ever want to talk about him I’m easy to find.Big Trouble Bail Bonds Jacksonville. I think I have seen most all of your posts and am glad to see you are still kicking.Sorry to hear about Carl. Mark Norton

[@fayewittwer5208]

Who was Richard I'm from Australia and am very interested in all things Skynyrd Thank you

[@fayewittwer5208]

I'm from Australia Who was Richard and who was Barbara

[@eileensianez6766]

Gene I wish you were my grandpa!!!

[@christopherjmarr4328]

He says his brother was the inspiration for the song but he should tell us how for example: did he discuss the brother situation w Ronnie and told him all about it and that’s what inspired him

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

Who doesn’t love Gene? 😎

[@chickasawstarrmountain9747]

I'm so glad you done these interviews, these survivors dont know how much they mean to people from the south,SKYNYRD is our pride.they were proud southern men and ladies flying our flag,which is not done anymore because someone got offended?,I'm sorry but black and white men alike fought n died for our confederate flag,if Ronnie was alive they would still fly it.

[@jackpeters9349]

Allan Collins the mystery of Synyrd the sound the fury the soul Rossington was the Prez!

[@jtedd57]

Most of the fights in Jacksonville were about local rednecks hating long hair, bar down the road from NAS, bar on McDuff, bar on lane Ave...

[@peck404]

Love him

[@crypttonite]

i am meat n potatoes too & arugula with mashed potatoes is the jam

[@ronbranum4134]

What a guy...

[@melissalee2166]

I heard Melody isnt Ronnies daughter...and thats why the Freebird cafe closed down,because Melody found out the truth and was sick of living a lie.Heard she is actually a 38 Special Baby!

[@raymondwillardson4863]

she looks just like ronnie not jack

[@terrihilder8217]

Judy married Jack Grondin after Ronnie's death. Judy had a son with him.

[@meatwad1]

Lindsey Graham is her biological father.

[@JDitto702]

What is her name???

[@douglasmann4264]

Other than being a close friend of Ronnies and going out on tour with the band what was his function with the band?i think in one of his books he said he was in charge of security. does he have any good stories about making sure they were safe.i think at one concert he said someone jumped on stage with a knife. another question would be there was a plan to have a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert close to the crash site. i think it was supposed to commemorate the anniversary of that crash? even that being a perhaps morbid idea were there any such plans that he is aware of to have a concert in that area? and if so why did it not ever materialize?

[@SourMlkSea]

@Douglas I'm not speaking for gene of course, however, he was pretty much responsible for security and he was going to be made into the bands manager in some fashion, right before the crash happened. And yeah, there was a real possibility of them playing a show next to the crash site back in the 90s but it was shot down. There was talk of it but I believe they backed out of it. I actually believe they had a date scheduled but ended up cancelling it all together. There's a jake tapper report on them and this is brought up by the surviving members. I Do not know the exact reasons as to why they cancelled.

[@matildaharden1064]

I got a question, did Ronnie ever meet or was he a fan of Elvis?

[@Sam-fc8ik]

I heard one of Ronnies favourite artists was David Allan Coe can you ask gene about this? thanks

[@rapman5791]

Poor Leon, nobody ever gets his name right. His last name was Wilkeson not Wilkinson

[@dwrldgster3151]

is anyone Aftaid that they will have to face ronnie when they die? Exspecily Judy.

[@hotwheel6663]

Mean Gene!

[@stingylizard]

Bwahaha! Room service! No doubt!

[@scotthornsby2410]

I truly believe Gene because he was there and I wasn't

[@kenk7049]

Is it true that the band would often trip on Cow patties in the Hell house?

[@AlyRaeKY]

Lol...they do grow in cow patties.....so I hear 🙄

[@jcm78]

I seem to remember an interview with either Ed King or Jeff Carlisi saying that they would get mushrooms from the neighboring farm and make tea in the evenings from them.

[@MARLONdaman]

So them boys destroyed the Hell House property because ole boy MIGHT HAVE ABUSED OR MOLESTED THEM! Wow man!🥺🫣

[@Mike-oz5pp]

So was Allen & JoJo having an affair & Ronnie found out & wasn't having it? That's what it sounds like

[@meatwad1]

Yes. I heard that somewhere else as well. I think I heard it in a clip that was about Allen.

[@electronicweasel9083]

Was their gators in that creek by hell house back then??

[@scottharrison9083]

Hell yes. And cottonmouths too.

[@bradtelecaster]

Tory is beautiful

[@JDitto702]

Is Tory the name of the girl doing the interview? What’s her last name???

[@nathanadkins2985]

They never talked about the Christian lyrics in Four Walls of Raiford.