Ronnie Van Zant according to his former bandmates can be a bully and violent

[@stratmagic6893]

I had a friend who when sober was the nicest person but when he got drunk his eyes went flat and you knew trouble was on the way. I had to intervene once in a bar when he was threatening another friend of mine that he didn't know and he turned on me a said he was going to kick my ass. I grabbed my friend and got him out if the bar and never spoke to the drunk again. Life is too short to deal with assholes.

[@peterzang]

I’ve been there. Horrible. People who smoke weed are generally sweet and chill. Drunks are to be stayed away from.

[@neoplatonist-o9p]

Juicers are the worst. I don't fuck with them really, avoid them--too damn many headaches. After a certain age ain't nobody got time for all that BS. I guess I'm finally maturing.

[@williamsherman1089]

The only thing worse than a drunk that causes alot of drama is a sober asshole who causes a lot of trouble. Avoid them both!

[@leelucas720]

​@@peterzangweed smokers might be chilled sometimes.But when they haven't got any.,........

[@fransmith8992]

@@leelucas720 what? finish your sentence. because it is bullshyt!

[@aschule5684]

Ed's decision to leave very definitely prolonged his life span a good many years in doing so.

[@skippyhandleman1625]

you bet. RVS probably had a lot of problems. maybe various forms of abuse when a child. there are many stories of him being the perfect country gentleman. scrapping was probably pretty commonplace in gainseville growing up. The drink was a mitigating factor in what went down. RVS was pretty vocal about getting everyone on the plane with an attitude that if it's your time it's your time. i would suspect his violence helped in people going along with ronnie and not speaking up. nobody wanted to be a target when RVS was in the drink. RVS was selfish and dominant and ignored a plane that was in terrible condition. they could have taken a bus.

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

It did I got to see the first reunion tour in ,86 I think Ed was a big reason they reunited

[@aschule5684]

@@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61 the saddest part of the reunion was Allen's absence, it would have been so amazing to see Gary Allen and Ed back together again. Can you even imagine how great that would have been? They were a pretty special team and it was beyond heartbreaking to see Allen have to watch another guitar player play the music he wrote on stage with his brothers without him. Ed said there was never any egos involved between the three of them, they just all wanted what was best for the music and it showed. They were all very special in their own ways and worked very well together, they wrote some of the finest music and will be forever remembered! There was nothing like the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band!

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

@@aschule5684 I saw Allen they had to push him out in a wheelchair talking about chills going down your spine he said " you have come to see a hell of a band " I'll never forget it

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

This particular show was in Shreveport Louisiana

[@jennystryker2967]

Grew up with the Van Zants. Ronnie did not mess with Gene Odom. Gene was a street fighting man and also my neighbor.

[@abledrummer]

I met Gene Odom through my pops in 1987. Gene told us some great stories

[@John-z8g9z]

Some people are just difficult to deal with and be around. The music must have been worth the trouble because it took a plane crash to bust up this band. 🤠🎸🥁🎹🎤

[@markjf131]

Gene spent time in the Army as well and knew how to handle himself.

[@lauradenton6985]

I just love Gene!! I believe he's a very good man and from what I've seen/read over the years, one of the only ones of the bunch of survivors to only speak honestly, with no bs or financial agenda, about events that have happened since said plane crash. I will always believe what Gene Odom says about anything!! ❤❤❤

[@DavidLee-rx6uo]

I think Red would’ve also gotten involved

[@drumdad54sdl47]

"Alcohol doesn't make you do anything.. It lets you."

[@williamsherman1089]

That's true, but back in my drinking days I did and said stuff that I know wasn't me when I was out of my mind drunk, I take fool responsibility for everything though no way I can't. One thing I used to tell my sober friends and I'll stand behind is I had to drink so I could keep up with them

[@sevinstorey4365]

“They don’t call it spirits for nothing”

[@partain2000]

That's the exact reason that I never got drunk. Not that I thought I was better than anyone else because I'm not, but because I feared what stupid thing that I would have done or something far worse....that I might have hurt or killed someone. If you are out of your head there is no control of anything. It is never an excuse either. Ed King once said that Ronnie Ban Zant was the reason he joined Skynyrd, and he is the reason that he left. It is a true Jeckle and Hyde thing.

[@michaelhalstead7532]

😢sounds like ronnie needed a few good ass kickings to straighten him out that normally works. No matter how tuff you think you are theirs always someone who will kick your ass

[@lockandloadlikehell]

Ronnie was only 190 lbs The avg d2 halfback would crack the lil runt in half

[@pizzulo8111]

Many people tried. Many, many people.

[@pizzulo8111]

​@lockandloadlikehell in the 70's people weren't that big. There were D1 football players in the 160s and 70s. In the 80s William Perry was an anomaly of an O-lineman at 300 lbs. He was a freak at Clemson and in the NFL with the 85' Bears.

[@douglaspaterson5269]

​@@lockandloadlikehell 190 is far from being small, in boxing that is light heavyweight.

[@clinttorres2508]

Exactly

[@amiblack8294]

They don't call alcohol SPIRITS for no reason, people. It is a SPIRIT. Anyone who has ever seen a person change over when drinking knows it, too.

[@tuningin6457]

Known quite a few mean drunks. Sober, sweet as lambs. You see the light switch go off in the eyes & it's time to get outta dodge. Ronnie was trying to settle down before he died. Such a tragedy.

[@wesleybohannon1]

Love original skynyrd. It's one thing to fight but to constantly fight or attack your friends and band mates is really getting into POS human territory

[@wagliz163]

They say Ronnie was really smart but it's not smart to physically injure your band members, which he did many times, especially considering he was the least talented "musician" in that band. He could barely sing. It was more controlled shouting. No range, couldn't sustain notes. His gift was lyrics. Everyone else's job was physical, yet he threw them around, even cut Gary's hands badly in Germany. Gary could barely play the next show. Ronnie was a jerk.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

​@@wagliz163nah he could sing, too The rest ill agree with

[@aschule5684]

@@wagliz163 yeah and when he did that to Gary he told him "your never gonna play the guitar again" That's beyond messed up. I couldn't be around that kind of an asshole fame or not. Had I been Gary that would have most definitely been the end for me. How they lived with that kind of behavior from him for so long and did nothing about it is beyond me? Sounds like Ronnie needed a blanket party.

[@wagliz163]

@@aschule5684 I think Gary and Allen kind of had something like had Stockholm syndrome. They were with Ronnie since they were 12-13 years old.

[@Jakeywakeyblitiz]

​@wagliz163 yea but with no Ronnie none of then would have been known

[@mr.d8214]

Nothing worse than a mean drunk.

[@onazram1]

Nothing worst than a drunk period!

[@boke75]

My cousin was asshole fight picker with anybody (save guys bigger than him, lol) when drunk. Sober he was the coolest cat. Gone too soon. If Ronnie was 6'2" and 300 lbs I'd have mistaken him for my cousin.

[@davidrice3337]

​@@onazram1oh yes there is

[@rustyshackelford3590]

What about mean sober

[@scott31312]

Being 5 foot 7 could have been the problem.

[@glenfenderman]

Short guy attitude. I know how it feels.

[@GerryGambino-e7e]

I am in a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band "Almost Skynard" the formation of our band came from the love of their music and as a result we perform every song with heart-felt feeling. People tell us, we remind them of the old Lynyrd Skynyrd. I guess that's because we are close to the age of the original members. This is a fantastic video and thanks for publishing it.

[@jackhopkins4679]

Are you guys on the net I would really like to here you guys keep that music bro

[@GerryGambino-e7e]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqPTmnZrq5Z6fKc

[@GerryGambino-e7e]

@@jackhopkins4679 kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqPTmnZrq5Z6fKc

[@neoplatonist-o9p]

Awesome! They'd surely be honored you're keeping their music alive!

[@AFloridaSon]

Ronnie's brother, Johnny, is also in a Skynyrd cover band. 🤔 (Yeah, I said it.)

[@Mr.Breeze-1959]

The key problem was alcohol. It sure did make me different and do crazy uncalled for stuff. I got away from it completely and ain't ever going back there again. "Uh,uh That Smell!"

[@Betrayerslayer]

Almost 5 yrs free. God bless ya, you KNOW.

[@Betrayerslayer]

....& I farted 2. But NOT beer farts. Lord, Hallelujah.

[@couchwarrior2449]

Yeah, I leave the hard liquor alone.

[@williamsherman1089]

Yeah it took me alot years to finally admit to myself I can't drink. Not socially, not just a few beers, not just a couple of drinks, the only thing that works is just not drinking at all

[@Doo_Doo_Patrol]

No, the key problem is personality defects.

[@LipRipper904]

I taught his grandson mathematics... sweet and nice as them come... GREAT KID FOR SURE!!!!!

[@Truthmoses]

grandson would also beat your ass if u gave him a bad grade.

[@anniegregory3252]

Damn right RVZ was not afraid to fight! He made grown men cry because he wanted to create the best music possible w/the Skynyrd band and he did! Gary made a comment a few months before he died that he always tried to keep the legacy of the band the way he thought Ronnie would want him to because when they met up at the pearly gates, he did not want Ronnie to beat him up for screwing it up!

[@deaf19830]

Just goes to show how much he really loved Gary, Allen, Bob, Leon, and tolerated the other few. He pushed these guys bc he had to. The music industry and government didn’t want their music or any Southerners to succeed, in fact since after the Civil War the Union Govt set out to crush true southerners, we have had the poorest funds from federal funding, especially school funding, to keep us dumbed down. With that being said, RVZ had to be resilient and diligently push, and created an unbelievable following of “RedNecks” all over the world. Lynyrd Skynyrd songs continue to teach our young teenagers to Love God, respect our elders, and not be a coward. What other group has done that ? So a little whiskey makes us rowdy, well guess what, we take care of our own. Amen

[@ChrisBansak]

​@@deaf19830Well Put Sir....

[@JAMESGANG-f5u]

GOOBLETY GOCK

[@wagliz163]

Cutting up your guitarist's hands the night before a show doesn't do much to "create the best music possible." Ronnie was an unelected band leader and a violent bully. Gary and Allen owned as much stock in that company as Ronnie did. Being the face of the band is what ensured his position in it, no matter how badly he behaved.

[@JOAT_AMOS]

AGREED 1000%

[@ref6122]

Nothings worse than a mean drunk.

[@therooster6104]

Every bully gets there medicine sometimes it takes a long time sometimes it ends with holes , sad but true 🤔

[@tomtom1484]

With friends like him, who needed enemies???

[@rodinowright6591]

Napoleon Complex.....Ike Turner, James Brown, Van Zant were short in stature

[@grayghost6692]

@@rodinowright6591actually Napoleon was average height. There was confusion about the types of measurements used back then compared to today. Just a piece of history. :)

[@leahflower9924]

​@@rodinowright6591ike Turner looked tall to me i knew james brown was short

[@ravynskye1310]

He once threatened Gary Rossington with cutting his hands off so that he could never play guitar again while they were in Hamburg in 1975.. ended up using a broken liquor bottle he'd smashed over the head of their manager to cut Gary's band's real bad..he had to get several stitches in both hands and still played next night blood seeping from the bandages..

[@ravynskye1310]

Hands**

[@cosmicman621]

...that’s like..battered wife syndrome...dissfunctional gaslighting.Anyone comes at me with a broke bottle it’s gonna be life/death.Not playing the next night with bloody bandaged hands.WTF is that s##t ???

[@boke75]

@@cosmicman621 Indeed Battered Wife Syndrome. Talk about insane internal band strife and toxicity all emanating from RVZ. He was the glue held the band together but was also the TNT that was pushing the band to the brink of implosion.

[@debrawardlaw4558]

@@boke75 The implosion band did come by way of the plane crash. The band did not want to board that plane. If ONLY they had all said NO !!!

[@howardrobinson4938]

"Battered wife syndrome" - hum...​@@cosmicman621

[@vinrusso821]

Ronnie trained as a boxer when young and wanted to be a pro. He was a very short dude and probably had a "little man complex" when drunk.

[@MarlboroMan1900s]

He'd still f*** u up tho 🤣

[@Johndoe345-k2d]

If I had met Ronnie I would've taken his hat off his head and shit in it .

[@written12]

@@6412marsI imagine they would be if they were always jacked up on a need to assert themselves.

[@BST-lm4po]

I don't think it has anything to do with "short man complex" or he wouldn't be walking around barefoot! It's more likely the fact that he was the leader of a successful band that had a lot of irons in the fire! That's a lot of pressure! And sometimes when you combine youth, booze, and stress,..you get an explosion! 💥

[@Road_Rash]

@@BST-lm4po he was like that before the success...he was just a booze soaked a$$hole...

[@johncrace911]

I had the displeasure of meeting Les Dudek in a bar he was playing at. I tried to chat him up being a guitar player, but the only thing he was interested in was drinking.Rude, Mean. Told me if I see the Allman Bros tell them I never got paid. ALCOHOL.

[@Finsami71]

These guys, all gone ... The real Skynyrd.

[@dw8840]

Crazy how none of the others in the band would stand up to Ronnie.

[@alexgallardo9149]

Ronnie according to Gary Rossington he was a " badass" he had that don't mess with me attitude. He was older than the guys in the band and was like a father figure to them. Like with Bob Burns when ge developed his mental illness Ronnie would be abusive verbally to him. Ed King felt Ronnie's wrath during a show after his guitar strings broke during the freebird solo take turns with Allen Collins.

[@ronadams8667]

Artimus did stand up to him and Ronnie didn't mess with Artimus.

[@clinttorres2508]

​@@ronadams8667artimus was a former marine as well

[@Rock_Snob]

@@ronadams8667yeah Artimus was a marine & could take Ronnie but would just take control of the situation.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@ronadams8667 He didnt yell at him like Bob because there is plenty of live footage of Artimus F ing on the drums.

[@mikehunt2190]

Artemis was a former Marine and he was the only one who could stand up to Ronnie and not get his ass beat.

[@barnacles62]

Thats according to Artimus. He was known to lie about a lot of things, like the movie he had made was nothing like what really happened, Ronnie was barely conscience if at all from sleeping pills when the plane went down, as well as some of the other band members. Billy Powell for instance said Cassie was cut from ear to ear and died in his arms, then later confessed it wasn't true. Ronnie was said to know how to box some because his father supposedly boxed in gravel pits. However, if you ever see pics of him without shoes, which he did a lot, and no hat, he was only about maybe 5.4 to 5.6, 5.8 at the tops, so I don't think he was no real bad ass, but he was known to have a bad temper, most addicts do, and he knew how to sound and be intimidating. Gary, Allen and the band were not really fighters, they were just simple average middleclass boys who probably would have never left Florida except they had a passion to play guitar. Once they formed themselves, they knew they could make it. However, Ronnie was the driving force behind them, and as much respect as I gave Johnny for filling his shoes, to me it was never the same, even though there are a lot of their songs I like. Artimus Pyle is indeed a good drummer, but Bob Burns was the actual drummer for the band, the reason Artimus was never confronted by Ronnie is he was not that close with the rest of the band. Ronnie hired him as a basic hired drummer, and almost got rid of him at first, because he kept trying to put his own twist on songs they had already recorded. You can see a lot of pictures of the Ronnie, Gary, Allen and Leon at times partying. Billy Powel and Artimus not as much. Artimus was also not taken on as drummer after the Tribute Tour because the rest of the band never really liked him, and especially when he was charged with being a sex offender but refused to keep registering. I heard the band "took Care of it " for him, because they kept publicly saying he was part of the band, and it was giving them a bad rap. They were said to have paid him out of it but told to never bother them again. Pyle LOVES attention, and money, so later he started the fight over the movie rights. He won, but the movie was a flop, and many people that knew what happened were very disappointed. The y also shunned Ed King, and it was mainly because they were both liberalized hippies and the rest of the band were southern boys, a whole different culture. Ronnie was actually partial hippy, but his southern ways come first when he was under the influence. He was against guns, that would make him very unpopular with conservatives today, and he was no fan of big development or government. I wished he was still around though, a truly gifted artist, Id love to see where they would be today....

[@barnacles62]

@@suckitdx Oh I'm sure there is a few, but 98% of the time, they are 6ft and a legend in their own mind due to liquid and dope courage, when reality is they are 5.6. They tell their self they are bad ass, and if their lucky, and they usually are because when they know without a doubt, they can't win they keep their mouth shut which is a lot. Van Zant knew how to sound like a bad ass, especially because he had a very honky tonk sound, then in his lyrics like in Mississippi Kid, and You Got That Right, going on about fighting and such. Then some boozehound hears that and tries to think the song is written about him. Its NOT, He needs to stop drinking, and go get help, he is sick....

[@FuckPedophileBiden]

@@suckitdx Like Bruce Lee.

[@AFloridaSon]

According to Artimus, he was the best thing to ever happen to Skynyrd. And don't forget, he is a convicted pedophile.

[@fransmith8992]

@@barnacles62 if you think that someone that is 5-4 to 5-8 can't be a badass, you have never been in or witnessed many fights. you have no knowledge of what you are talking about.

[@mben-david2064]

Ronnie ran that band with an iron fist, this is not news. Artimus Pyle said the band was on the verge of falling apart during it's first year and it was only Ronnie's sheer force of will that kept them going. If anyone didn't like it they could quit, and a couple did. Ronnie was LS. Without him they are a weak imitation.

[@boke75]

The band probably wouldn't have survived into the 80's even w/o the accident. According to memoirs and documentaries, the band members (like GR and to a lesser extent AC) were getting fed up with RVZ. Don't get me wrong : I love LS and I thought that Ronnie was a genius songwriter and an amazingly charismatic frontman and performer. But his alcohol addiction was getting worse and worse (not to mention worsening addictions with the other band members themselves). The ever-worsening toxicity would have the splintered the band before the turn of the decade (even had RVZ and SG survived). Btw, I am not stating fact....just my informed opinion.

[@ChrisBansak]

Hard Facts.... Sad But True....

[@wagliz163]

That was during Artimus' first year. Ronnie might have been the face of LS but Gary and Allen owned 2/3 of the stock, having bought out Bob Burns. They had options. Maybe none of them good, but they could have put RVZ basically out of business.

[@toddcaylor370]

Look man, the guys are just talking about Ronnie's flaws. Everybody in the band had 'em. What they're not showing you in the video is how MUCH all of them LOVED AND RESPECTED the HELL out of Ronnie. Ronnie was a street fighter. Gary was too. That brings a certain attitude to the music as well as personal relationships. Ronnie Van Zant ain't gonna be remembered for the flaws we all have, he's gonna be remembered for the music, sense of family, and as Leon said, "bein' the best person he ever knew."

[@fransmith8992]

all flaws are not equal. when you physically hurt those closest to you, that is the worst fault you can have. don't make excuses for him.

[@toddcaylor370]

@@fransmith8992 I can tell you've been hurt before, and you ain't no Skynyrd fan, so why are you here?

[@fransmith8992]

@@toddcaylor370 WOW. do you ASSume you know me. nah, i never been hurt, but one time when i was jumped by 5 guys. and even that, i walked away from. and i have ALWAYS been a skynard fan. i'm here to tell you that not all flaws are the same. no one else in the band had the flaw of beating on their friends when they were drunk. that is one of he worst flaws a person can have. we all have flaws, but they are not all equal. some flaws are worse than others. you just can't handle the truth about ronnie. and you ASSumed you know me and made a total a** of yourself.

[@onutube6392]

@@fransmith8992 my brothers the closest friend I got, and we grew up beating on each other

[@fransmith8992]

@@onutube6392 almost all brothers do that growing up . these are not his brothers and they are already grown up. that is a HUGE difference.

[@mustardseedist]

"In hell he lift up his eyes"......Win the world, lose your soul. Now he gets to think about it for eternity. Brilliant fool.

[@RodCalidge]

Would have thought that was obvious by him trying to rob Gary of his talent and knocking out Billy's teeth. Many will say that alcohol was the big factor. And while it surely didn't help Ronnies disposition, this is just an excuse for chronic bullying. He was likely jealous of those around him getting attention he thought should have gone to him. But what do I know, right? I certainly lost a lot of respect for him when I learned of these episodes. As an afterthought, I believe I also heard that Cassie Gaines and some others objected to getting on the airplane that crashed and Ronnie insisted, (or bullied), her into getting aboard. But perhaps I am being unkind. RIP all.

[@JuicyJeff-zd6zj]

Rip

[@StarlandSeayChewy]

You are not being unkind. You can be a super talent and still be an awful person

[@JuicyJeff-zd6zj]

333333333 33333 is is and I 3 it to you and you are u ³me and I don't want 33

[@RodCalidge]

@@StarlandSeayChewy Thanks

[@randyblackburn9765]

A bully is a bully , no excuse, if he’s drunk the true personality comes out . Bully just needs to get f……d up good by some means just once

[@Kurtis11266]

a plane took care of it

[@AFloridaSon]

It's not like they left or voted him out. Don't believe they were sweet and innocent.

[@glenfenderman]

@@AFloridaSon No they were not sweet and innocent, but as the plane went down some of those on the plane were praying to God for their lives to be spared, and that's why they became born again Christians after the crash.

[@joelwatts5260]

Wonder if Leon had any stories? I would've loved to hear them.

[@peterzang]

What a nightmare. There’s nothing cool or rock n roll about this. He was just a thug.

[@aschule5684]

I've said the exact same thing many times in regards to this, there is nothing cool or badass about behavior like this!

[@Johndoe345-k2d]

I would have taken a shit in Ronnie's hat and then put it back on his balding head.

[@pizzulo8111]

He was a leader. Those guys were always acting out of line, crashing cars and doing dumb shit. He was like their dad. They wouldn't have been around for the short amount of time they were if Ronnie didn't keep them in line.

[@peterzang]

@@pizzulo8111 keeping them in line was one thing. But I’ve known many people who when they drink can’t wait to get into a fight.

[@billyshane3804]

Sounds like a very weak little man who picked his targets and had a big mouth on the drink.

[@Jonathan-mt9up]

I’ve been in a couple bands, and I don’t care how talented a person is - respect is everything. Once certain boundaries are crossed and no accountability for malignant behavior is taken, I’m out. Ed King and Bob Burns made the right decision to leave, and it likely saved their lives.

[@boomer3150]

Same here. Ronnie would not have touched me, and I would have quit.

[@M98-j9k]

Ronnie was just feeling inadequate. He was an avg singer who could write but was surrounded by world class musicians. He was asserting the only power he had.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

They all suffered from battered woman`s syndrome. ha

[@danstone8783]

Like Richie Blackmore and Ginger Baker, what Ronnie Van Zandt needed desperately was to have his ass kicked to oblivion just once.

[@radamus210]

I've been reminiscing of late, taking a look at Skynyrd again and enjoying just how big a deal they were and would remain all these years later. I was in HS when the crash happened. They were the hottest thing going that's for sure. Since my first name is Leonard, I've been called Skynyrd since Jr High with long hair and played guitar everywhere. Yah, we got robbed of many years of amazing music. Know all about that alcohol and the switch everyone has for which they go. Happy and fun or here comes the dramatic conclusion in total disaster carnage. I was a happy camper who only got happier and there was always someone, if a big enough crowd, was gonna fuck it up. Don't miss those days at all.

[@TheEDZEPPELINBAND]

Me too...happy drunk... Also a TARGET for the brawlers. But i COULD fight, i learned to, and it didnt turn out well for them, one on one. Still, I dont miss it one bit.

[@thinblueline6321]

I bet they would not be saying this if Ronnie were still alive, there are always two sides to every story and then there is the truth. The whole band had problems that is why they got kicked out of every hotel they stayed in.

[@adamcarrey9115]

When so many people say the same things about someone independently, they are probably true. The only reason they wouldn't be saying these things if Ronnie were still alive is that they would have been scared of what he would have done to them.

[@davidrhodes7655]

I've never seen obnoxious aggressive behaviour with people who smoke marijuana

[@sevinstorey4365]

Pot lowers the testosterone and turns you into a bleeding heart hippie. Duh!

[@lockandloadlikehell]

lol you haven't banged in the hood Ofc it was usually combined with other shit

[@francesbass1322]

No they are just lethargic which is not good

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

He was a bully thug his whole life. He cost Casey Gaines her life when a few nights before the the plane crashed she cried and begged Ronnie to let her and the other girls fly commercial because she was afraid the plane was going to crash. He screamed and yelled at her. Stop crying and being a baby, Either you get on that plane, or you`re fired and we will leave your ass here.

[@lydiapawlak8564]

Yep, that is what ronnie told them

[@kevenrowe2958]

He didn’t freaking know he had no idea that would happen and You act like he didn’t lose his life as well.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

BS! The band members were afraid it would crash and Ronnie, said, we just have to finish this leg and we will switch planes. He eas stubborn and nobody was going to tell him what to do. Aerosmith passed on the plane it was so bad and so did Kiss. He had a death wish, a bully and a thug and he ran that band with an iron fist. He knocked Billy's front teeth out and cut Gary. Its why Ed King snuck out, left and quit the band. Because he couldnt take the stress and bullying from Ronnie. If he didnt join that band he would have ended up in a FL. prison. ha This being said, he was one of the best and baddest front man in rock history for a stubby man. @@kevenrowe2958

[@darrinplatt7917]

My Very favorite Skynyrd is Gary Rossington loved the guy he is/was a real deal...i have to wonder tho Ronnies father was a prize fighter or boxer i forget...i wonder if he got a meanstreak version of his dad you know...R.i.P you Southern Rock God's....

[@peterzang]

If you saw his dad interviewed you’d be terrified. A frightening old redneck. God knows what his political ideas were.

[@lockandloadlikehell]

@@peterzang agreed - he could have been a collectivist authoritarian warmonger like Barry and Joey and Hillary- and Bushy x2 and Trump

[@BarneeFife]

In this age off MMA, there are lots of stories of bullies who think they’re going to steamroll a victim, and it doesn’t go their way… There is a great one on KZbin about two smallish guys in a public, I think it was a bar, bathroom, and 2 preppy looking, quite a bit bigger, Oklahoma college football players were picking on the guys, and the 2 regular dudes really put the hurt on the football players… It usually takes one guy to stand up against the bully, especially if he busts the bully up a little, and you will see what is called and attitude adjustment.

[@jeromemurphy2572]

Ronnie's hard-ass meanness when drunk didn't serve him well. He could have shown better judgement before the plane crash. But remember he wasn't even 30. Ronnie was far from perfect. He was talented but he sure could have been a better person.

[@Road_Rash]

I very much admire the man's voice & contribution to music & music history, but as a person, I got nothing for anyone like that...booze doesn't just cause problems, it IS a problem... I'll be 9 years booze free come Oct...best decision I ever made... doesn't matter if it's hard liquor, or 'just' beer, booze is booze & it's all a bad time waiting to happen...

[@williamsherman1089]

I assume you're probably younger than me, good job. It only took me 40 plus years to figure it out, guess I'm a quick learner huh

[@Road_Rash]

I'll be 54 this year... getting harder to find people older than me every year that passes...Lol!

[@AFloridaSon]

Had he lived longer, he may have had the opportunity to sober up and make amends.

[@williamsherman1089]

@@Road_Rash 56 here and your so damn right

[@piscesempress1978]

I think he would have matured and been a great person. He was a good person but def drinking brought out the worst in him.@@AFloridaSon

[@briankay4229]

I recall some "Jekyll and Hyde" types in my life. Dangerous to be around, indeed.

[@rodgerbane3825]

You'll notice, you never hear about RVZ ever starting up with Artimus Pyle. Pyle was an ex-Marine and could handle himself.

[@AmericasChoice]

And he was clean, no booze or drugs. Vegetarian, and a mean MFer.

[@kevenrowe2958]

@@AmericasChoicePyle literally talked about tripping on acid all the time and was known to smoke weed and get drunk sometimes

[@tomwilliams5137]

@@AmericasChoiceAll of those life choices came after the crash when he realized he was spared for a reason. Oh, and it’s Former Marine. Never Ex Marine!!

[@dw8840]

Ronnie likely knew better than to tangle with a Marine.

[@MP60]

That’s Chuck Flowers at 3:36. The ‘forgotten roadie’.

[@rodbelding9523]

I have a few books about the band and it's well documented that Ronnie loved to get into fights and did almost every night.

[@JAMESGANG-f5u]

Because he was hanging around a bunch of people that he had mentally dominated and they didn’t want to fight. Cutting up Gary’s hands saying “you’ll never play guitar again” BRILLIANT What about when Ronnie wanted to be a Boxer?? He went and boxed a guy with way more experience and got beat badly. THEN he immediately gave up that idea of Boxing. Sounds like he just liked to bully around his own passive crew. If it wasn’t for the crash he would’ve ended up murdering Steve at some point. I can see it plain as day “you’re trying to take over my band, ima gunna keel you fer it” 🔪 🩸🩸

[@wagliz163]

@@JAMESGANG-f5u I've sometimes wondered how long Steve would have stayed. People said he was a great, down to earth guy. Steve could easily have stayed long enough to get some great exposure, then gotten sick of the BS and gone out on his own, and been very successful. That would've eaten Ronnie alive.

[@fransmith8992]

bandmates should have grouped together and taught him a lesson

[@ChrisBansak]

Yes.... As I Said in a Comment Earlier.... "if I Can't Beat You.... WE WILL"!!!!!! LOL 😆

[@jackhopkins4679]

Everybody in that band was 2 or 3 years younger than Ronnie when your a kid somebody 3 years older is alot and I think he used that and bullied them if he wasn't a bully there would not have been a plane crash

[@AbleBodied]

Bingo

[@boke75]

Would not have been a band, period. He was the fire that lit their asses and created magic. When he was gone, the creative drive was never the same.

[@wagliz163]

@@boke75 Which is why Gary and Allen allowed it. They owned enough stock to push him out if they'd wanted to. No, the band wouldn't be the same, but Ronnie wouldn't either. Lots of songs, no band.

[@chucky2569]

Artimus Pyle kicked Ronnie's ass one time..he never missed with him

[@chocolatetownforever7537]

I wonder if his height had anything to do with his demeanor.

[@jackchambers2126]

sounds like a bully. He would have eventually got his ass kicked or shot.

[@TRHARTAmericanArtist]

Best time to kick a bully's ass is when they are drunk.

[@sevinstorey4365]

OK!

[@leonardlangford1260]

Anybody who was in a rock band from those days shouldn't be suprised at hearing this.This happened in most bands.Drugs,alcohol,sex,fights.This was normal.Dont pretend to be suprised.

[@wagliz163]

I doubt there were many bands that would have endured the constant wrath of one crazy dude like this one.

[@mbsnyderc]

Ronnie was only 29 when he Died he had a lot of stress on him he was the band leader of a bunch of heavy drinking drug users,and he had those same issues that's not a good mix for functional interaction.the world was more violent back then men were expected to fight.if you think he was bad try being in a band with Ginger Baker.

[@BarneeFife]

Ginger must have some loose screws…. I saw an interview with him ripping John Bonham and Keith Moon, saying they weren’t very good drummers.. maybe it was cause his mommy gave him a girls’s name…

[@spiroclimb2523]

Another narcissist in charge who relies on his subordinate's passivity to remain in control. Theres a million of them out there (we all know one) Put them in, say, a Philadelphia or Bronx's neighborhood in the 70's or 80's and they would not do well..... at all.

[@Joe-li2nk]

A rock star losing his hair must've really bugged him

[@blastingcapps4341]

Seems like he really enjoyed liquid confidence

[@onutube6392]

Reminds me of the stories my father and my grandfather have told me about how fucked up they've gotten

[@mikemartin5073]

Judging by his hair I don't think he had as many fights as they say because anyone would have grabbed ahold of that hair and punched him into oblivion

[@mikemulrennan7948]

He didn’t fuck with Artimus I hear

[@copperhead954]

That's because he had respect for marines

[@kyzor-sosay6087]

Most bullies are cowards,they pick on people weaker,probably realized Artimus would beat his ass.

[@pizzulo8111]

And Artimus didn't fuck with Ronnie according to a Skynyrd roadie. He said Artimus never tried to intervene or anything when Ronnie would go off.

[@gregtennessee8249]

Artimus was a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER hahahahaha

[@gregtennessee8249]

​@@copperhead954Artimus was a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER

[@stevenedwards4470]

From what I understand, he bullied a handful of people onto that last plane ride. I've always been curious about the psychological implications of that on the survivors and the families of those who died. For many of them, they're tied inextricably to Skynyrd. So you never hear about any of that publicly. If it was me, I'd be extremely resentful of the pressure he brought down. Mark 1 was a damn good band in any case

[@shable1436]

He didn't cause the accident, I wish ppl would stop this, it was completely the crews fault, not Ronnie's, but I'm not excusing his problems, just trying to tell facts Aircraft Accident Report - NTSB www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR7806.pdf

[@knowsmebyname]

Why should you hear about any of it publicly? Question; do you think the public has any right to know about or judge your closest relationships from your youth? Of course not. Its non of anybody's business.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

I came to see if there were comments like this! From what I remember he at least told a couple of back-up singers who'd been in Skynyrd for a while that if they didn't take that last flight they were fired. & in interviews after crash they all said plane was hunk of shit & had been scaring them. Think Ronnie's childhood friend considered flattening a tire but decided against it at last minute? That's why they didn't wanna take it, but Ronnie insisted they all take it & they all did, so everyone who died on there listened to their boss, Ronnie instead of their gut-feeling! Love him & miss him & wish it never happened, but doesn't change the fact that Ronnie, against many of their wishes, forced them to fly that day! RIP🙏❤

[@shable1436]

@@satyadasgumbyji8956 it was the pilots fault, they didn't do the checklist correctly, the passenger and fuel formula was off, the weight of 30 passengers plus fuel was wrong, the glide rates for jets are terrible, planes can go 15 miles depending on altitude, and they ran out at the end 10 miles away from airport, and with a jet you have only couple miles glide rate at altitude. Point is no matter how bad Ronnie was, even if he threatened ppl to go, it wasn't his fault, he had nothing to do with the flying of the aircraft, and the aircraft was airworthy, because of logs are looked at every year by FFA inspections, and the plane would have made it if had enough fuel.

[@satyadasgumbyji8956]

@@shable1436 I watched a doc that had his cildhood friend-don't remember his name, the guy who lost his eye in crash & I think is still around. Think Ronnie made a manager??? He told the whole crash story & the days leading up to it. It was a doc I think released a few yrs ago on crash anniversary & they were freaking out because flames were seen shooting out the engines on way to last gig & needed repairs but crew said could wait till next stop they never reached!!! That came from the survivors mouths! Otherwise the back-up singers NEVER would've feared flying & practically begged Ronnie not to make them fly! You seem to think by some fukn inspection log-book link everybody thought the plane was just fine & there was no problems. It was known the plane needed work but said didn't have time to fuk with & would just put in garage when landed in Louisiana(?) so wouldn't miss the gig. Do you have a link to planes condition the very day they took off? I specifically remember the one-eyed friend has always felt guilty cause he didn't flatten tire when he thought about it & kept them where they were instead of listening to his lifelong friend RONNIE say anyone who doesn'tget on plane was fired!!! If plane was just fine before took off, why tf would Ronnie's best friend be thinking of grounding it???

[@boke75]

There's that pic of the band with Keith Moon all of em drunk to hell and Ronnie looks like he was about to clock Moon, lol.

[@knowhereman1]

Sounds like he needed to get his ass kicked frequently.

[@BST-lm4po]

Ronnie was the leader. He kept those guys in line,.. and demanded perfection. Without him they probably never would have made the big times! But with that responsibility comes a lot of stress! And stress & booze can sometimes be a volatile mix!

[@mondoseguendo6113]

Yeah and they’d probably would’ve lived a lot longer too if he wasn’t

[@joelwatts5260]

Being a leader doesn't give anyone an excuse for being an asshole. A leader is supposed set an positive example.

[@glenfenderman]

Agreed!@@mondoseguendo6113

[@glenfenderman]

@@joelwatts5260 You sho got that right!

[@Longhorn.Rock_Roll61]

Why else would Ed King quit the band?

[@perbes100]

Too much pressure and workload.

[@smedleybutler8787]

Can't change your own strings there mister King

[@AFloridaSon]

A bunch of one sided stories when Ronnie can no longer defend himself. Although, every true Skynyrd fan knows that he did have a temper. Still, there are also interviews where they talk about how Ronnie's discipline kept them tight as a band.

[@davidmellish3295]

Two separate things my man,they're not saying Ronnie was bad for the band etc or didn't have many excellent qualities, they're only saying he was a nasty drunk and a different person to when he was sober. Honestly it wouldn't matter if he could defend himself cause none of them are lying about his mean streak when he was drinking, they're many documented incidents and plenty of witnesses to this behaviour

[@donjohn2695]

That's very true Ronnie liked a first fight ever now and then

[@BarneeFife]

Ed seemed like a really good classy guy in every interview I’ve seen him in.

[@V211-q4g]

People need to learn to control themselves, that is a choice we all have. Most things aren't worth fighting over.

[@lauradenton6985]

😆😆😆 Tell that to a drunk 25 year old redneck from Jacksonville Florida 😆😆😆

[@MosheHaMayim4591]

I could tell by his facial and body language that he was an ass. I worked with a singer like that once and it only lasted 2 months. It would have been Hell to be trapped touring with someone like that, and dangerous. I only liked Skynard because of the other members.

[@mikeodonnell6799]

he sounded like a real jerk. Ed is my favorite member

[@mikeharlan9614]

Donnie and Johnny don't seem to have Ronnie's anger and drinking issues but they don't have anywhere near his talent either...

[@richardcrook2112]

That's a really good point.

[@ParanormalExplorer]

The man is dead, let him rest in peace.

[@chaimarielisrael5616]

Ronnie was not a stupid bruiser, there were reasons he confronted people these guys arent a bunch of saints he had to watch his back

[@AmericasChoice]

LOL. there is some truth to that! He had to keep that bunch on track ALL the time.

[@RobertLansing-mg8kc]

wonder if any of them had mixed feelings after the crash

[@AFloridaSon]

There are interviews where they talk about Ronnie's mean streak in more of a positive way. They gave him a lot of credit for the band's success.

[@RobertLansing-mg8kc]

@@AFloridaSon oh no doubt

[@M98-j9k]

Billy Powell said he was kinda relieved after the crash. Like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders

[@ThaiThom]

Sounds like Ed King was the smartest one in the band.

[@MrRidleyDog]

Died at 29, looked like he was 50. He was very angry about losing his hair. Seems like everyone thought he was a real a-hole.

[@anz2441]

John Bonham was the same when drunk

[@beatendownby]

All I can think of seeing an old pic of Ed, is Gary saying "HE WAS STINGY WITH HIS DRUGS..."

[@everly-shadystudios9900]

He had the little man syndrome

[@loricharpentier1654]

Booze and fists don't belong together.

[@NYVoice]

The ones we remember, the enigmatic musical stalwarts, can be the most complex people you'll ever know. Lennon, Eddie VH, and many others. Ronnie's domineering nature is what drove his band to success. But did ever demand a safer plane? "If it's your time to go..." shouldn't sit well with grieving families.

[@gregoryschleitwiler9601]

Jimmy asked me to go on tour with him after my band eat a peach opened for them. My band was so much better, and I said no. Still glad I did. I'm a keyboard player. They were all drunk then. So were we. Thats why neither of us made it. The van zandt name didn't help that band at all

[@JoeParttridge]

Yeah Ronnie didn’t never get ahold of the right one

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Here in the south we all know a Ronnie type...

[@perfectlygoodslouch5212]

Lynyrd Skynyrd the more we learn about the band the more they are the same as us... that's why we love em'

[@TANTRUMGASM]

nah, not at all, carving up peoples hands and beating up bandmates? nah, dude was a punk and good riddance to the trash

[@lesyarde3124]

@@TANTRUMGASM Right. Sounds like he was a complete ass. Karma is a bitch. Can't believe the band just took it.

[@ChrisBansak]

​@@TANTRUMGASMI Think 🤔 the Saying You're Looking for is.... "Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish".... LOL 😆

[@jeffhelmer8754]

Great musicians. Apparently quite complicated personalities when drunk or stoned.

[@Rock_Snob]

John Bonham was the same but much bigger & stronger!

[@stevejanowiak1982]

I often wondered if you got Bonham, Ronnie and Bon Scott in a locked room with bad attitudes and a case of Jack Daniels, who would be the last one standing when you unlocked the door?

[@gator2813]

@@stevejanowiak1982 Bonham was bigger than the other two and being a drummer he could probably pound on the other two guy longer than they could pound on him. I've heard Bon liked his booze but I've never heard anyone call him a mean drunk.

[@LynyrdSkynyrdFan]

Will Ronnie wasnt perfect, his dedication to his craft certainly was and it showed

[@LT1HILLINGHOE]

When he came around all boozed up and you know what was coming...just punch him in the teeth. When he went down just beat the living hell out of him and dont let him back up. Do that and he'll think twice about crossing you again...drunk or sober. Always worked for me and I've faced tougher and meaner drunks than Ronnie.

[@jonicrawford1879]

I bet you havent

[@mshat18]

So he was a flawed human. Most legendary musicians are.

[@Texasriogrande]

For the life of me i dont understand why people idolize a person like that. Ask your self this, would you really be friends with a man like that? Great band! I grew up in the 70s with their music. However, still baffled why he is idolized.

[@richardcrook2112]

He sounds neurotic in interviews, that's where the talent came from I expect. I don't like war but I still enjoy watching war films, Skynard are like a war film.

[@pauljbroussard1690]

Nobody made them stay. The loyal friends didn't complain. They made music and they all cut up with their own drug of choice. Best front man and singer. I'm sure things got rough at times. He took music seriously. Sadly they were at a lost with the crash😢

[@RachelWeeping]

WHEN SKYNYRD CAME OUT IN 1973, I LOVED THEM AND STILL DO. IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS IMMATURE AND I THOUGHT RONNIE WAS THE COOLEST GUY IN ROCK BECAUSE OF RONNIE. HE SMACKED WOLF MAN JACK FOR HEAVENS SAKES. I MATURED AND STARTED READING MORE DETAILED REPORTS ABOUT HIS NEED TO BE VIOLENT. SADLY, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH RONNIE. HE DIDN'T LIKE TO FIGHT HE WAS OBSESSED WITH IT. ❤

[@cornucopiaofcool2144]

It lonely at the top. Ronnie was a taskmaster like James Brown. If Ronnie was touring today the band would arrive in separate Private Jets and play the greatest hits. When you have a vision, the means justify the ends

[@wagliz163]

That's never justified. It takes lots of "vision" to cut up your guitar player's hands the night before a show. And in Germany no less. Their first trip abroad was called "Bloodbath in Hamburg." Lots of vision there.

[@PumpJackkk]

What is that footage off?

[@johnnyringo9759]

Great singer, maybe not such a great person!!!

[@BST-lm4po]

Great lyricist too!

[@johnp7739]

Apparently he was a really good guy when he was sober.

[@gregtennessee8249]

Trump Lost

[@johnp7739]

@@gregtennessee8249 Non sequitur much? The vote counters won, just like Stalin said.

[@Ben1238]

Artemis would have hurt him bad.

[@bobowman470]

I know Gene Odom. Hello from east TN Gene!!!!

[@steelmob]

But RONNIE Van ZANT was the man

[@patm5086]

What does that even mean?

[@Johndoe345-k2d]

He was a balding little runt that needed a good ass beating.

[@TapesNstuffS]

And if he hadn't been so drunk he may not have pressured the band to ride that broken down convair.

[@written12]

Yep, the one Aerosmith passed on.

[@patm5086]

I had no idea he was an alcoholic. Sad sad sad..........good for ed king leaving

[@billr2375]

he was clean and sober at the time of his passing---kicked it a number of months before the crash.

[@paulles1377]

​@@billr2375he still drank beer, smoked pot and took pills. I know a member of the old Leblanc-Carr band who was on tour with Skynyrd at the time of the crash and he told me that. Ronnie had taken 2 sleeping pills on that last flight. Gene Odem said that's why he was so hard to try and get him strapped in.

[@derhandtrommler]

@@patm5086 yeah Ed did great things without Ronnie, Ronnie did nothing without Ed. what a moron.