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Leon
Dec 1, 2009 14:54:41 GMT -5
Post by ekforum on Dec 1, 2009 14:54:41 GMT -5
To me, Leon's right up there with McCartney, Entwhistle & Jamison. His playing was original and seamless. THAT SMELL is the best bass part I've ever heard.
Leon was a kind-hearted soul. NEVER intrusive - although he could be annoying at times - we all loved him. His presence helped make Skynyrd what it was. The greatest bass player I ever played with. You never knew he was there because his parts were so seamless.
I've said it before - I never, ever write a bass part without first asking myself "What would Leon play?"
We steered CLEAR of all gators! (At Hell House) No lie.
One time Leon threw a brick at a bull that was out there. Knocked that bull OUT COLD! The brick turned to powder when it hit himsquare between the eyes. Funniest thing I ever saw.
Except I didn't see it. I FEEL like I saw it. Happened before I joined the band but Leon used to tell the story....over and over and over...absolute funniest story you ever heard, too. Everywhere we'd go we say "Hey Leon...tell us again how you knocked out the bull." He'd tell it...L O N G and drawn out ... with all the animation, arm movements, noises...felt like you were THERE. It actually happened.
I think about Leon just about every day. WHAT A GREAT PERSONALITY. His playing ranks #3...right behind Entwhistle & Sir Paul.
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Leon
Dec 1, 2009 14:57:44 GMT -5
Post by ekforum on Dec 1, 2009 14:57:44 GMT -5
Q - Did Leon ever play without a pick?
[/color] Leon always used a pick. And as the high end in his hearing slowly left him, he'd jack up that high EQ slider on his amp so that all I could hear was the SCRATCHING of his pick across his round-wound strings! I'd always slip over there and push that slider down...he'd sneak over and put it back up. Due to the plane crash, Leon had his elbow joint 'fused' into a permanent position so he could play bass without bending his elbow. Consequently, the bass would rest against his body at an angle that would require him to pick the strings SIDEWAYS - so you'd hear the EDGE of the pick across the strings...NOT the tip. The sound man out front could balance it out for the crowd, but the sound on stage was pretty harsh! PAINFUL. Keep in mind Leon didn't use a simple 150 watt amp. He used 3 Crown amps...probably well over 700 watts. Nevertheless...I miss him anyway.
Leon used to literally COVER his neck on BOTH sides with lemon Pledge! [/size][/b]
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