The first interview of Bob Burns on youtube and he talks about Leon and Ed King

Bob Burns talks openly about Leon Wilkeson and Ed King from the good ole days.....
video by Tony Beazley and Rick Broyles
©2004

[@sammys70]

I'm glad to see someone acknowledge the work Ed King did while he was with Skynyrd.Ed co-wrote many of their great songs with Ronnie Van Zant.

[@crypttonite]

Gary & Allen wrote with Ronnie too & they got full behind any tune the band came up with, as did Leon, Billy & Bob. Ed has a lot of fans who come off as tho he need them to stand up for him. He was in LS & they were happy to have him.

[@joselazo7475]

Ed's main stuff was sweet home Alabama, working for mca, Saturday night special and I need you. He wrote all of that music plus more. He was the outsider because he was not from south Florida. He was from California. But he was very much respected and appreciated.

[@davidrice3337]

Mr Sam, I honestly believe he was the smartest person in the bunch - Ed King was a brilliant, reasonable and generous man - hell, the fact that he gave Gary a song writing credit for doing something every single Guitar player in the world does ( strum D C G in order to see if you're in tune -) If Ed King had an equal say in the matter - there never would have been a delapidated plane to begin with- Ed King was an American Treasure and I had the privilege to see him live and his influence on me as a guitar player has been immense - wish I could've told him .. ....

[@creativetelcoadmin8170]

I think Ronnie, after being arrested, told Ed King he was not a pimple on Alan’s ass because he broke a string playing Free Bird. Ed was absolutely very instrumental and key to it all. I am simple. My favorite solo from Ed was from Am I Losin.

[@davidrice3337]

@@creativetelcoadmin8170 wow - I absolutely love this solo - I wasn't sure who did play the solo- at first you're thinking "that could be Steve" but obviously it was before his time+ I absolutely love Ed - and I wish I could have told him what a huge impact he's had on me as far as my approach to guitar - even when I hadn't realized it before

[@johnandbarbara352]

R.I.P. Bob Burns. Your Contribution to Southern Rock is Forever....

[@bluesoddity2094]

Really hurts that all these guys are gone.

[@joleneloveland2942]

Bob Burns is such a gracious and honest man. He is so missed and will always be remembered when the name Lynyrd Skynyrd is mentioned, along with Ed King. We will still remember you, both! ♥️ And Leon, the quiet one?😉😎👍

[@steveng1624]

Exactly... and thanks !!

[@TonyBeazley]

@@steveng1624 I will seriously second that fo sure 😎✌💯

[@davidrice3337]

Amen to that 🖖

[@davidrice3337]

Thank You- it means a lot , Tony

[@softhotty]

Amen to that !

[@pedenmk]

ED KING was a phenomenal guitarist. The whole band is the best of the best. They were before their time. Thanks for posting.......

[@ronnie5129]

Thank you for the interview with Mr. Burns, He , Ed, and Leon will be remembered forever, R.I.P. TO ALL, The Music will be heard forever as long as people can Hear, Cousin Figel

[@dsen1889]

Thanks Mr Burns for your contribution to this great band.

[@TonyBeazley]

Bob is so cool !!!

[@amnartthaiboy]

Tony Beazley facebook.com/video.php?v=578332072180920&set=vb.100000123981559&type=3&theater....1996 video of Bob at my house

[@leeverrill]

Bob you were an amazing drummer...rest now son the disease is gone now...your a free bird again...

[@michaelb9318]

Leon was a laid back gentleman. He always had time to talk with you.

[@rotagen5]

I gotta say it, Bob's drumming is a huge part of why Skynyrd made it. Just listen to the funkiness on those early albums...totally unique, totally catchy., syncopated... Great stuff.

[@randyalman9672]

RIP Bob Burns You will be missed.

[@TonyBeazley]

Bob Burns the most smartest man I've ever met and yes a bad ass drummer . One cool dude you could ever hang with .... miss you dude....... miss your family too....

[@gewdferyew4844]

How unfortunate, and he passed that tree so many times before I've heard.

[@TonyBeazley]

@@gewdferyew4844 man I tell ya...not sure what happened that night but he had a big Cadillac SUV for years, and on that night he wasn't driving it... makes me wonder. .... maybe this should be looked into as just a wreck. ... ?

[@johnnyearf7943]

@@TonyBeazley Wait? Bob was not the driver the night he passed away?!!

[@TonyBeazley]

@Johnny as far as I know he was alone

[@larrytate5605]

Bob Burns is one of my most favorite people in an interview,. man he has passion,.a real person. Tony you were a genius yourself for getting the things you did on film.

[@JHBguru1]

Thanks for the post. He died about 20 miles from my house. RIP Bob Burns!!!

[@davidrice3337]

Love you Bob Burns - l know you are on the big stage up in the Big Sky - you were the rythmatic heartbeat of the band and your contributions immeasurable - Thank the Good Lord you were able to get your due recognition - You were a bright , thoughtful man and a gifted musician - Peace Out my Brother

[@mreaganismyhero]

I'm glad to hear this interview and glad to hear there's no hard feelings with Bob and the rest of the band. I've never heard an update since he left the band except the song, "Am I Losin' " which was written by Ronnie about Bob parting ways with the band.

[@joshuaphillips9810]

Never knew that about that song. It's one of my favorites. Thanks for your comment.

[@BST-lm4po]

Life on the road with a touring band will push anyone to the limits. Have you ever looked closely at a tour schedule? It's like a different city every single night! Night after night after night! It would be tough to keep up that pace! No wonder these bands go half crazy with drugs & alcohol! The schedules are brutal! Poor Bob just hit the wall, ....got burned out!

[@TonyBeazley]

You got that right! Even Ed King said Leons the best!!!

[@Jamesd1861]

When you talk about Skynyrd you got to include Bob Burns he help put them on the music world map just sad he didn’t get to play longer with them... of course Leo and Ed two of the finest musicians Leo so smooth and easy Southern Gentlemen and Ed King one of the greatest guitarists around when he came aboard with the band put Skynyrd on another level of making music RIP too all that passed on Lynyrd Skynyrd The Greatest American Rock Band 🎸

[@jayweld6951]

Thank u 4 sharing your greatness with all of us in this world Bob u sir rank right up there with the best of em yourself rip brother

[@truthweallknow]

Rest in peace brother may you rock out rock and roll heaven....... May Ed as well rest in peace. And all the rest of the three others and sisters in the band you guys are up and Rock and Roll Heaven tearing it up I just know it have a good time up there.

[@TonyBeazley]

@davidtrobaugh Thank you for such a great tribute piece. .thank you very much ...you're a nice person.

[@bluestreetcar]

5 STARS all day long!!! I've heard nothing but good about Leon. God Bless Bob.

[@hollynicholsmccormick3124]

Bob burns this was a really nice vid... Have not seen to many of you .. May you rest in peace.. You were a great drummer and an awesome person.

[@waltermarshall3575]

I sure hope that Bob Burns/ The Spirit of Bob is floating around somehow and knows or senses how gracious and wonderful we all think he is. I really enjoy hearing him talk.

[@bloozedaddy]

Thanks Tony...great stuff. RIP Ed King.....

[@dingusmagee3326]

Bob is quickly becoming my favorite guy in the band! What a great dude he seems to be. Steve Gaines and Allen Collins really intrigue me, since there isn't much interview audio of them out there. I stumbled across a radio show interview the band did back in 1977, that's the only audio I've heard of Steve besides what is on wax. Not much on Allen either.

[@lucy0537]

Rip Bob and Leon ♡☆♡

[@250txc]

I'm down with Mr. Burns!

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome《☆》Bob & Ed are sorely missed ☻

[@ronnie5129]

Mr. Burns, I wish you the best always, I hope your health will improve so you can get out there and play Drums again, I would love to see you play, you are a huge part of Music, to be remembered...........................

[@TonyBeazley]

Ed put Skynyrd into the stratosphere with his talent.... pun intended :)

[@livingadreamlife1428]

If not for Ed, Skynyrd would have petered-out like so many regional bands at the time. Ed’s contributions to Sweet Home Alabama created the band’s break through hit just as the song Ramblin’ Man did for The Allman Bros. Without Ed and SHA, Skynyrd would have been long forgotten.

[@TonyBeazley]

@@livingadreamlife1428 True words!

[@bipblake]

RIP Sir Leon We miss ya my friends

[@roythewho]

Happy birthday Leon Wilkeson!

[@MrElliejimmy]

Gotta love Bob Burns!

[@davidtrobaugh1788]

Ya, Bob. Miss you bro, have fun in Rock-N- Roll. Haven. Say hi fore us all. Ya, you Rock. Bro Skynyrd Nation.......

[@TheRockin1953]

Ronnie wrote songs way ahead of his time , and I believe they will be here long after we are gone and the younger generation will be loving them just as much as we all do

[@AlpineMusicSchool]

Awesome interview.

[@TonyBeazley]

+AlpineMusicSchool Thank you we had a blast with the coolest Dude from Skynyrd.....

[@TonyBeazley]

Thanks Vic! Yep if Ed had not been in the band with his brilliant guitar work and sound then I probably never would have noticed the band like I did. I did like Skynyrd before I knew who Ed King was but later found out that most of my fav tunes from them had Ed playing guitar on those tracks. Now That Smell and One More Time are exceptions....yes I do like the demo raw versions also before Ed....but the "flavor" that Ed added is just beyond what any other guitar player could ever do.

[@jacobabrownful]

Rip Mr. Bob Burns! The original drummer of LS!

[@hazor777]

Rest easy , Bob .....

[@leonardduke6791]

rip brother ed

[@colddraft8778]

God bless you Bob .

[@TonyBeazley]

ED has recovered fine and is playing again!!!!

[@charleshall9755]

Not anymore...RIP Ed.

[@Wooley689]

Ed has been in congestive Heart Failure for years, one reason he quit touring with LS was it was taking a real toll on him.

[@BilnBax]

RIP Bob Burns....Fly Free....

[@duanekuiper]

holy crap! thanks Tony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ronnie5129]

Bob, R.I.P. Brother , You were the Best, all the Skynyrd Drummers that have played in the band after you, They are all Playing YOUR Parts that you invented.. I will see all of you that have passed on in Rock & Roll Heaven, I am not in a Hurry to get there, but when I do , I know it will be a Glorious Day, Cousin Figel

[@bluestreetcar]

Nice clip, thank you.

[@amnartthaiboy]

I know Bob and he is the nicest guy in the world.I have video of him over at my house playing drums with me in 1996...

[@MrFalconford]

thankyou the the perspective

[@TonyBeazley]

You are most welcome, glad you enjoyed it...thats why they are up on youtube.!

[@uhclemm]

GREA T vidoe Tony ! ! STILL waitin' on more Tom Dowd ! Kenny C

[@steveng1624]

Ed King and Leon was a great add to Lynyrd Skynyrd

[@TonyBeazley]

RUNNING BEAR . Yes they were. ..Ed and Leon were very very close friends. I talked to Ed about going to see Skynyrd around 2004 at Starwood. .but we both decided that we both missed Leon so much that it just wouldn't be the same.

[@nickbrett8642]

God bless you all

[@FloraBama]

I also heard Ed King himself say that!

[@jameslyons1661]

Awesome

[@TonyBeazley]

Thank you. ..I miss Ed and Bob and Leon very much....💕

[@rjcinsav]

man i enjoyed this. it has always been a mystery to me about where is bob and what he has been doin. i never hear anybody mention anything about him. does anybody know more about him. just a conerned skynrd fan!!

[@TonyBeazley]

Bob is bi-polar,that's what he told me, but the stress of the tour really kicked his butt and thats why he had to leave and go to the hospital.... Bob aint no different than anybody else really , after spending a few days with him you understand how he thinks..he is like Einstein ..and he gets really deep and thats why they say he's crazy but if you think about what he said for a day or two then you start to go .....wow that dudes got a brain better than mine..lol ..there you have it.

[@johnnyearf7943]

Amen! God Bless! RIP Bob, Ed, Ronnie, and the rest of the Skynyrd Angels!

[@BST-lm4po]

Those long grueling months on tour have destroyed many musicians,...in one way or another. He was a wise man to step away to save his health! He is no less of a legend for doing so!

[@rvz77]

leon's the man

[@hughjorgen9424]

Leon was a hella bass player and back up vocal as well.. love ya brother!!!! RIP

[@davidrogers2085]

Thanks Tony for putting this out here, it's beautiful. The lack of video hear doesn't mean shit to me. Anyone who knows the legend of Lynyrd Skynyrd will tell you they can close their eyes and see Bob Burns talking with the warmth and compassion he had for Ed and Leon as well as the rest of the band. Fly on.

[@TonyBeazley]

You're very welcome David thanks.

[@mebloke69]

thanks for the great good job TB !

[@250txc]

Bob's class act all the way around; He's certainly self-aware and most of can not achieve that standard

[@guitarcrazy1834]

Im watching all of the old lynynrd skynyrd interveiws i can find because well i want to feel as if i actually knew them and imagine if they were still here today alive and kicking but ronnie knew his fate he was a smart man from a young age he would say i aint gona live to see 30. he was 29 when he passed, and if someone could give me a good answer for how he knew that it would make my life. If they were still alive the world would be a better place. Lynyrd skynyrd a name everyone should know l

[@shannonpatrick77]

Every wild man says that.

[@googoo-gjoob]

Bob Burns.... gentle hearted burnout

[@Roc20084u]

Bob im from cartersville too!!!! the Russell and troy show from Perry Ga

[@TonyBeazley]

yeah I think we all do !!!!!

[@Billykid514]

I like Bob's drumming over Artimus

[@roythewho]

thanks for this ;)

[@TonyBeazley]

Ed's a very good bass player but have yet to see him live -thumping away on it... I have a special bass guitar that I have autographs from only people who knew Ronnie....If I could just get to Rickey, Gary and Ed.....I didn't think about this until years later half way through our documentary..but I have all engineers managers some bandmates who have autographed it...I need Leslie to sign it ....its just hard to carry a bass around everywhere for people to sign....

[@mcgaheefamily]

Imet bob burns when he lived at doral aptson austel rd.1981 or 1982. he drove an old chevy .a friend asked if i would like to meet the original drummer for skynyrd.I said sure. we went to his apt. and sure enough he had a gold record on his wall.skynyrd had given bob nothing.. Ibought a skynyrd book and they finaly gave him 9oooo0 so iguess he doesnot live in apt anymore.

[@JeffHalle]

rip Bob

[@TonyBeazley]

Yes.

[@sheddski2942]

you know artimus seems to have this big ego he wrote a book backstabbing all of them then he apoligises billy set his copy on fire but leon just sits back and plays amazing bass licks like gary said in a interview artimus brought all this on himself by writing that book how are we supposed to forgive him its out there in print

[@timin770]

RIP Bob! You will be missed. (car crash Bartow County last night)

[@andyelliott8027]

No seat belt,what a crazy thing to do.

[@cravinbob]

andy elliott Driving in a car! Insane.

[@edwardcowardin4014]

Ed King wrote the big hit for The Strawberry Alarm Clock ,Insense OF Peppermint. A song I still love to this day 💕!!!!

[@randymcdonald3226]

R.I.P brother

[@zisoul]

It would ve'been great if BOB BURNS played on the TRIBUTE TOUR'87-'88.He only showed up when FREEBIRD Movie came out and the R&RHOF Show. He,KING,PYLE and CUSTER should still be with LYNYRD SKYNYRD.

[@TonyBeazley]

thats pretty much what I was told....

[@TonyBeazley]

I plan to add more videos soon.....

[@grammy965]

I have nothing but respect for all the members of Skynyrd

[@068dirtboy]

wonder why Bob was never ask to rejoined LS after Artimus left/ or fired in the 90's???

[@smitty31560]

davidallenroth He was not able to

[@TonyBeazley]

@allbroskj damn ,sounds like more than just a rumble in those days.....

[@RBFR01]

Ed thinks he didn't fit in but behind the scenes they all loved him.

[@bcampbelltsc]

Tony, Do you know if Am I loosin written about Bob

[@19ADAM80]

👍🏼

[@TonyBeazley]

I AGREE!!!!

[@TonyBeazley]

What happened to his RV?

[@TonyBeazley]

not until I put this video up he never told me that as I can remember.....

[@brendaniebel1355]

Why didn't Bob have a seatbelt on during his car crash.....🤔

[@brendaniebel1355]

That plane should not have left,they knew it too. Aerosmith was supposed to get on that plane,they backed out. Skynyrd band would be here today, if they hadn't gotten on the plane. 🎩🎹🎸

[@roythewho]

What was Bob Burns ilness?

[@bodkin1]

seconded

[@imodium9822]

it's crazy that everyone mentioned in this video is now dead.

[@TonyBeazley]

Yep it sucks ☹

[@TonyBeazley]

If I can remember what he said it was just bi-polar stuff....

[@SteveGaines]

Bob Burns had a NERVOUS BREAKDOWN on the torture tour...Saw the EXCORIST and thought this cat was the devil and threw it out the window over in England I believe..

[@marcrobert-vi2mj]

Bob don't give himself credit bob wrote the drum tracks for there first 3 of 4 l.ps.the drum track for free bird and so on

[@hopethisisthelast]

I met someone claiming to be Bobby in Maryland several years ago. The guy was a bit ..."off" ...but he definitely knew a lot about the band and did in fact look like an older version of the man you see on the album covers. He said he left the band because he went to Nam actually, whether he did or was covering up for the whole "crazy" thing, I'll never know. One thing I'm pretty sure of though...he stole my "smoke" out of my car. I like to think that is WAS him and hope he is doing well now.

[@TonyBeazley]

@Fruitloop186 Yeah I heard also a little bit later... man I had just talked to her a week before on facebook... she was a good woman. RIP Marsha....

[@joemamma416]

I wouldn't rank bob in my top ten but he had a real cool feel behind the drums. Simple but pretty clever kinda like a Ringo starr.

[@TonyBeazley]

Bob played the correct original beat to SHA ...straight from the words from Ed King...

[@JohnMagillM]

Actualy he said that in provite several times, to his father, and to Artimus Pyle when they were in Tokyo

[@sammys70]

I wonder why skynyrd never asked Bob to come back and join the band years later after they kicked Artimus out of the band?

[@davidcoleman4291]

Believe that bob was doing everything he could just to maintain his balance of reality and needed no pressure from rock style. That can be treacherous for one's sanity

[@ultrakool]

the devil cats of the world feared for their nine lives around Bob 😆

[@TonyBeazley]

@hopethisisthelast must have been that imposter they finally caught....had bushy hair more than Bobs...and a real big mustache.....Bob wouldn't still your smokes....he's one of the nicest guys you will ever meet in your life...