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
@chickasawstarrmountain97473 жыл бұрын
God bless you man,hope you get better.
@clausm22033 жыл бұрын
Man i love all these old skynyrd storys wish i could have seen them live back then
@clausm2203 Жыл бұрын
@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 Жыл бұрын
You would have loved them. They were very real and great at blending the sound of the South with Rebel Rock n Roll.
@dianabaldwin85623 жыл бұрын
Love hearing all the things he knows He's a walking encyclopedia
@allancove44833 жыл бұрын
I could listen to Gene all day, all night, all the time!
@stanleydavis4013 жыл бұрын
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.
@alanlafromboise29272 жыл бұрын
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 Жыл бұрын
Yes Sir!!
@steveng16243 жыл бұрын
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...
@1bravelady542 жыл бұрын
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-ub2xj2 жыл бұрын
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 Жыл бұрын
Ha that’s interesting
@christopherjmarr4328 Жыл бұрын
What’s a flat top guitar ?
@christopherjmarr4328 Жыл бұрын
Whose idea was it to put flames behind the band for Street Survivors album ? Whose idea and why ?
@bonitawilcox29093 жыл бұрын
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🕊️🙏🎸
@ShawnFanin2 жыл бұрын
Gene had to be one tough dude back in the day. For Ronnie Van Zant to hire him for head of sacurity.
@PatriciaLen66 Жыл бұрын
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. :-)
@ladypaul79322 жыл бұрын
I have to admit that when Gene said his brother hates Santa Claus, I laughed and laughed.
@themetalprincess2 жыл бұрын
Gene is a great story teller for sure.
@rascosim14 ай бұрын
Ronnie was very blessed to have a friend like Gene.
@bigthunder28602 жыл бұрын
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
@steveng16243 жыл бұрын
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...
@virginiadeath45073 жыл бұрын
Gotta love Gene.
@roxm78763 жыл бұрын
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.
@billyshane38047 ай бұрын
Gene Whenham is the MAN
@BaronMcCausland3 жыл бұрын
"...that boy, hates Santy Clause..." LOL!!!
@chickasawstarrmountain97473 жыл бұрын
My mawmaw used to say that about our rooster,lol
@TuesdayLoew3 жыл бұрын
Thank You Gene!
@ajunem612 жыл бұрын
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
@Augest-west Жыл бұрын
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!
@johnmartin38273 жыл бұрын
Interviewer is a hottie.
@rayl.58993 жыл бұрын
Anyone know the interviewers name? It’s not mention in the credits or at any time During these interviews. Thanks Guys. Stay safe!
@BeliaLastes10 ай бұрын
Thank you Gene for sharing your memories of Ronnie and the others in the band 😊❤
@suzieq38152 жыл бұрын
God Bless you Gene. You were the best friend you could be to Ronnie Van Zandt.
@DannyBrooks13 жыл бұрын
“That boy hates Santa Claus” 🤣😂😂😆
@christywhitehead31713 жыл бұрын
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
@tomdragland58093 жыл бұрын
Fans of Southern Rock Loves ya Gene!~Tom and Anna~
@adrianmezzatesta67143 жыл бұрын
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
@toxievope36173 жыл бұрын
What a pretty interviewer
@garybravo3 жыл бұрын
Gene you were fun to be around.
@alanpowell41203 жыл бұрын
Keep em coming.
@jonathanmunsey82152 жыл бұрын
Gene! You are the greatest! I could listen to you all day! You are the sweetest!
@baneverything5580 Жыл бұрын
I like ole Gene. I wish I had a friend like him.
@sureiseeyou3 жыл бұрын
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.
@SJKLR993 жыл бұрын
Man I hope all your friends love these stories and don't get sic of em..I could listen to Gene all day
Good interview/ interviewer. You can tell she is a fan of the band.
@joydunn21093 жыл бұрын
Thanks Gene and to the Lady doing this Interview, so sorry I didn't get your name.
@ronbranum41343 жыл бұрын
Ronnie sounds like a very generous guy...
@bigbubbahazelitt66513 жыл бұрын
God bless you Gene Odom💯💯💯
@briankeane7672 Жыл бұрын
Love ya gene !!!! Long live Skynyrd
@larrytate5605 Жыл бұрын
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.
@saundracecil63773 жыл бұрын
GENE Thank you for telling us the truth I wish I would have Known that when Ronnie passed away Thank you so much
@MP-ju4ol Жыл бұрын
This is an auspicious day, the night that Country Rock died. Their memories are in good hands with Gene. Long live Lynyrd Skynyrd. Mark
@TtrainInVain Жыл бұрын
It most certainly did not. Molly hatchet, list goes on friend. Just one to name.
@MP-ju4ol Жыл бұрын
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 Жыл бұрын
SOUTHERN ROCK!
@jefferywilliams9443 жыл бұрын
Gene u a good man......
@TempoDrift14803 жыл бұрын
What makes him a "good man" just because he is getting himself attention by talking about being a hanger on?
@NBKwillydog3 жыл бұрын
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!
@jcg5571 Жыл бұрын
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!
@chickasawstarrmountain97473 жыл бұрын
American by birth southern by the grace of God.
@hayleybmadiggunter67983 жыл бұрын
Gene Odom for president!
@chickasawstarrmountain97473 жыл бұрын
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.
@jackpeters93492 жыл бұрын
Allan Collins the mystery of Synyrd the sound the fury the soul Rossington was the Prez!
@MeatGawds3 жыл бұрын
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.
@keithclark4863 жыл бұрын
No need there's plenty of Harley Benton's out there.
@Mike-oz5pp Жыл бұрын
So was Allen & JoJo having an affair & Ronnie found out & wasn't having it? That's what it sounds like
@meatwad19 ай бұрын
Yes. I heard that somewhere else as well. I think I heard it in a clip that was about Allen.
@PhillipC017 ай бұрын
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.
@3lynyrd2 жыл бұрын
That boy hates Santa Claus 😂😂😂
@huntergillespie98363 жыл бұрын
I'd love to sit & talk to Gene..
@RUNNOFT713 жыл бұрын
P.s..love Gene and these videos!!
@meatwad19 ай бұрын
It sounds like the Hell House guy had something in common with Jerry Sandusky.
@anndaniels35453 жыл бұрын
Gene love you! Please make more clips!! Wonderful 🍁🎃
@huntergillespie98363 жыл бұрын
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.
@scottharrison9083 Жыл бұрын
True stories.
@Bubbadew3 жыл бұрын
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?
@TtrainInVain Жыл бұрын
@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.
@lockandloadlikehell6 ай бұрын
Uhhh why would Ronnie say that when what you're talking about happening after and because he died?
@rrrttt11123 жыл бұрын
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.
@rrrttt11123 жыл бұрын
@@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'
@lynskyrd783 жыл бұрын
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.
@rrrttt11123 жыл бұрын
@@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.
@nutcracker29163 жыл бұрын
@@rrrttt1112 Makes me wonder if her "Premonition" about the plane crash story was true ?
@xenalawarrior69163 жыл бұрын
@@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.
@davidtrail26963 жыл бұрын
"Them four walls of Raiford, closing in on me."
@RUNNOFT713 жыл бұрын
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!
@Badfingerbabe7773 жыл бұрын
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.
@chickasawstarrmountain97473 жыл бұрын
Wasnt Ronnie's wife a ex of one of the Allman brothers?
@craigcavaliere67442 жыл бұрын
I remember reading that the slide guitar on Freebird is an homage to Duane.
@melissalee21663 жыл бұрын
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!
@raymondwillardson48633 жыл бұрын
she looks just like ronnie not jack
@terrihilder82173 жыл бұрын
Judy married Jack Grondin after Ronnie's death. Judy had a son with him.
@meatwad19 ай бұрын
Lindsey Graham is her biological father.
@coreyfellows94203 жыл бұрын
I'd love to have him over to a cookout
@MorGuitarz3 жыл бұрын
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?
@HighlanderNorth13 жыл бұрын
😳 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 Жыл бұрын
rotator cuff tears are excruciating, You'd know if he tore his rc. He'd be howling,
@haskell713 жыл бұрын
I like this man right here.
@scottharrison9083 Жыл бұрын
He’s the real deal.
@jaywyche4163 жыл бұрын
I would love to go fishing with gene and i do live pretty close
@checkyourhead64673 жыл бұрын
I'd like to go fishing with the interviewer girl.
@jamestcallahanphotographer2 жыл бұрын
Who doesn’t love Gene? 😎
@MARLONdaman Жыл бұрын
So them boys destroyed the Hell House property because ole boy MIGHT HAVE ABUSED OR MOLESTED THEM! Wow man!🥺🫣
@JDitto7023 жыл бұрын
What is her name???
@Badfingerbabe7773 жыл бұрын
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 Жыл бұрын
who care about tv shows ? This is music and musicians, not some TMZ celebrity bullshit.
@meatwad19 ай бұрын
Ronnie was a big fan of Free.
@5xchamps269 Жыл бұрын
I love this man
@lockandloadlikehell6 ай бұрын
Weird
@dwrldgster31513 жыл бұрын
is anyone Aftaid that they will have to face ronnie when they die? Exspecily Judy.
@christopherjmarr4328 Жыл бұрын
Whose idea and why was it to have flames behind the band for Street Survivors album ? Discuss the metaphors etc.
@peck4043 жыл бұрын
Love him
@MP-ju4ol Жыл бұрын
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
@eileensianez67662 жыл бұрын
Gene I wish you were my grandpa!!!
@rapman5791 Жыл бұрын
Poor Leon, nobody ever gets his name right. His last name was Wilkeson not Wilkinson
@timmccreadie3283 жыл бұрын
Gene is king
@christopherjmarr4328 Жыл бұрын
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
@stingylizard2 жыл бұрын
Bwahaha! Room service! No doubt!
@ronbranum41343 жыл бұрын
What a guy...
@jtedd57 Жыл бұрын
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...
@CCRider5312 Жыл бұрын
Gene I can buy the Hell House was 120-130 degrees inside, BUT 200 degrees Fahrenheit 😂Come On Gene! If it would’ve been 200° There would’ve never been a Lynyrd Skynyrd because they’d have been cooked alive. Ok I get it it was hot 🥵 that’s why they called it the hell house but 200° can’t be right.
@hangingoutwithgeneodom36993 жыл бұрын
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
@matildaharden10643 жыл бұрын
I got a question, did Ronnie ever meet or was he a fan of Elvis?
@douglasmann42643 жыл бұрын
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?
@TtrainInVain Жыл бұрын
@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.
@crypttonite2 жыл бұрын
i am meat n potatoes too & arugula with mashed potatoes is the jam
@samlott99 Жыл бұрын
I have a ton of respect for Gene Odom. He's a great source of info on Skynyrd history, etc. BUT, this lady who is interviewing him is on my last nerve. We all know what "The Hell House" was, for example. She asked Gene, "what about Hell's House." And her accent, etc. A nice Southern lady would have been more appropriate for interviewing Gene. Sorry. Just my opinion.
@hotwheel66632 жыл бұрын
Mean Gene!
@Sam-fc8ik3 жыл бұрын
I heard one of Ronnies favourite artists was David Allan Coe can you ask gene about this? thanks
@marcusnorton19503 жыл бұрын
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
@fayewittwer52087 ай бұрын
Who was Richard I'm from Australia and am very interested in all things Skynyrd Thank you
@fayewittwer5208Ай бұрын
I'm from Australia Who was Richard and who was Barbara
@scotthornsby2410 Жыл бұрын
I truly believe Gene because he was there and I wasn't
@kenk70493 жыл бұрын
Is it true that the band would often trip on Cow patties in the Hell house?
@AlyRaeKY3 жыл бұрын
Lol...they do grow in cow patties.....so I hear 🙄
@jcm783 жыл бұрын
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.