Former LYNYRD SKYNYRD Drummer Bob Burns Dies Aged 64
April 3rd, 2015
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Bob Burns, former drummer for Jacksonville, Florida-based southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in a car accident on April 3rd, 2015 at the age of 64.
Burns was driving on Tower Ridge Road in Cartersville, Bartow County, Georgia at 11:56pm EDT when he failed to negotiate a curve, and crashed into a mailbox as well as a tree. A spokeperson for the Georgia State Patrol stated that he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and was the only person in the vehicle.
Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington issued the following statement: “Well, today I’m at a loss for words, but I just remember Bob being a funny guy. He was just so funny; he used to do skits for us and make us laugh all the time. He was hilarious!
“Ironically, since we played Jacksonville yesterday, Dale, my daughter and I went by the cemetery to see some of the guys in the band and my parents’ grave sites. On the way back, we went by Bob Burns’ old house. It was there in the carport where we used to first start to practice with Skynyrd. My heart goes out to his family and God bless him and them in this sad time. He was a great, great drummer.”
Robert Lewis Burns Jr. was born on November 24th, 1950, helping to form the earliest incarnation of Lynyrd Skynyrd during 1964 with guitarist Gary Rossington and bassist Larry Junstrom. The trio were later joined by vocalist Ronnie Van Zant and rhythm guitarist Allen Collins, and adopted the moniker The Noble Five.
Al Kooper (Blood, Sweat And Tears) eventually signed Lynyrd Skynyrd to his own label Sounds Of The South, an imprint of MCA Records. In addition, Kooper produced August 1973 debut full-length studio album (Pronounced ’Lĕh-’nérd ’Skin-’nérd), which spawned mainstay tracks ‘Tuesday’s Gone’, ‘Free Bird’, and ‘Gimme Three Steps’. The composition ‘Mississippi Kid’ earnt Burns a co-writing credit. April 1974 successor Second Helping was to be the last Lynyrd Skynyrd outing to feature Burns behind the drumkit, that platter notably including the tune ‘Sweet Home Alabama’.
Burns’ mental condition deteriorated during a 1974 European tour in support of that album, ultimately causing his departure. Placed in a Jacksonville hospital, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Artemis Pyle subsequently became his replacement.
Lynyrd Skynyrd were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame during 2006, where Burns rejoined the outfit for one evening.
Memorial services for Bob Burns were held at 2pm on Saturday, April 11th at NorthPointe Church in Adairsville, Georgia.
