I have to admit the way the EpochTimes wrote up this obituary was unintentionally amusing. The death of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King isn’t something to joke about, but the opening paragraphs threw me.
Ed King, former guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd and the artist who co-wrote the rock classic “Sweet Home Alabama,” has died.
King died on Wednesday, Aug. 22, at his home in Nashville, Tennessee…
I know, I know. Just because you wrote an iconic song about Alabama doesn’t mean you’re expected to live in Alabama. In fact, Ed King was born in Glendale, California.
King avoided the fateful plane crash that killed Ronnie Van Zandt, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines, having left the band during that tour. He rejoined the band years later.
Also, today I learned that Ed King was a founding member of The Strawberry Alarm Clock. I never knew that there was a Lynyrd Skynyrd – Strawberry Alarm Clock connection. Extremely incongruous.
Their biggest hit was the psychedelic rock Incense and Peppermints.
I passed through Alabama twice earlier this year (going to and coming from Florida) and was astonished at just how beautiful it was.
Birmingham’s a total shit-hole (at least the parts I passed through) but the people were nice, very polite (though I paid for a soda with a Kennedy half dollar which the lady behind the counter didn’t recognize), and helpful of strangers.
None of this has anything to do with the late Mr. King, but I thought I’d share, anyway. Strawberry Alarm Clock – wow.
izlamo delenda est …
Don’t be tryin to trick us with none of them fancy nickles, Yankee.
B’ham is a shithole. So is Monkeytown (Montgomery) and all other liberal conclaves across America. But the northeastern part of the state (where I live) is beautiful. A lot like western PA.
BTW – I collected all 50 state coins. Heck, I’ve even seen a $2 bill. I’m doing pretty good for a toothless redneck
Swamp Music and Saturday night special
Anyone who ever thought nothing good ever came out of Alabama hasn’t watched Hannah Barron videos on YouTube. That’s what I watch to restore my faith in humanity. You should, too!
Oak Mountain State Park is a great place, in Pelham, Alabama. Great mountain bike trails, modern cabins, tent camping sites, small lake and boat rentals. I used to like going to Montgomery (the Cloverdale area) but when traveling now I can’t wait to get past it on I-65. There are nice parts of B’ham, like Cahaba Valley. The Barber Motorcycle museum is a must-see if you’re an enthusiast.
Songsmiths have a way of “connecting.”
I doubt James Taylor was ever in the Carolinas, nor Neil Diamond knew a woman named “Caroline” and so on….
Similarly, one would think that David Allan Coe would be from TX, or thereabouts.
Nope.
Try Akron OH.
BTW – I collected all 50 state coins.
Not much to brag about Davey. obama has you beat by 7 states. 😉
@PHenry, Ray Benson, the frontman for Asleep At The Wheel is a Jew from Philadelphia.
Yeah…. one guy from strawberry whatsitsfuck joined Skynard, another one went on to join Oingo Boingo.
It’s all a conspiracy man.
If you stop by Birmingham it’s worth a trip to the Vulcan statue on top of (I think) Iron Mountain.
– Fantastic views
– Interesting experience
Not to be “that guy” but JAMES Taylor grew up in Chapel Hill…. his Dad was prof at UNC med school.. They split time between there and Martha’s Vineyard. I think overall he’s a pretty authentic writer both about Carolinas and New England. I know he’s become a bit of a liberal joke, but in his prime he was among the best
Many, many “Hillbilly”singers/writers are Cales. The most famous the “Bakersfield Gang” Buck, Merle + Merle. All kids of Okies who fled the Dust Bowl. Another , later group (Who BWT paid tribute to their vanguard from the Kern Valley in their 2nd or 3rd big hit “Looken Out My Back Door”) were from NOCal. But almost everyone I met 50 years ago said the were from the East. No, they were born and raised, and most still live in, NOCAl. CCR. I became a fan in grad school when Bad Moon came out; decades later still am.
My Dad was a big Buck fan and 54 years ago we watched his weekly show on ch 11. My Dad said (out TV was B+W) this “gee tar” is painter Red, White,+Blue. When Buck joined “Her Hay” it was color and the Ol man was right! Again Buck, Merle + Merle were all Cales not kids from Muskogee!
RIP, Ed…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GxWmSVv-cY
“Florida Man” orders a “soda” , not a coke, in the Ham , and tries to pay with obscure coin from Yankeeland.
At least he didn’t order unsweetened tea.
Bless his heart.
Vulcan is on Red Mountain (red from iron)
TW – I collected all 50 state coins.
Not much to brag about Davey. obama has you beat by 7 states. 😉
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There’s a great documentary out there about Muscle Shoals and the Fame recording studio. Bought it from Amazon and watched it 5 or 6 times on the Roku.