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Leon Russell Wilkeson [1] (April 2, 1952 – July 27, 2001) was an American musician. He was the bassist of the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001.
Dec 30, 2021 · Leon Wilkeson, known as "The Mad Hatter of Southern Rock," was the bassist of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He was one of the survivors of the plane crash that took the lives of three band members — frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and backup vocalist Cassie Gaines — in 1977.
Oct 27, 2020 · According to Rolling Stone, Wilkeson was among the most severely injured in the Skynyrd plane crash. Reports indicated he suffered massive internal injuries, as well as a smashed jaw, broken nose and facial bones, 15 dislodged teeth, six broken ribs, and a broken left arm and leg.
Jan 23, 2017 · Wilkeson acquired a “Fenderbird” bass from The Who’s John Entwistle. The Fenderbird bass mated a custom made Gibson Thunderbird body to a Fender Precision Bass neck. Wilkeson can be seen playing this bass in a 1975 Lynyrd Skynyrd performance on the British TV series The Old Grey Whistle Test.
Leon Wilkeson, Skynyrd's bassist since 1972, was found dead in his hotel room on July 27, 2001. His death was found to be due to emphysema and chronic liver disease. He was replaced in 2001 by Ean Evans .
In this video, we'll explore his distinctive playing style, his contributions to Lynyrd Skynyrd's sound, and the role he played in shaping the band's unmistakable Southern rock identity,...
Jul 30, 2001 · Lynyrd Skynyrd bass player Leon Wilkeson died in his sleep on July 28th in a Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida hotel room, where he was taking a break from the group’s current tour; he was...
Jul 28, 2001 · Leon Wilkeson, 49-year-old bassist for the legendary band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died of natural causes, according to Judy Van Zant Jenness, widow of the Jacksonville band's founding member.
Jul 29, 2001 · Leon Wilkeson, bass guitarist of the vital Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, has died. He was 49. Wilkeson died in his sleep Friday, according to a spokesman for the band’s record...
Jul 31, 2001 · Leon Wilkeson, bassist with the 1970's rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, was found dead on Friday in a hotel room in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. He was 49. He had chronic liver and lung disease and...
