In 1979 another survivor of the plane crash Kevin Elson, who was the Sound Man for LYNYRD SKYNYRD at the time of the crash called saying he was going out on a World Tour with the group JOURNEY and they needed a Guitar Tech to go to the recording studio with them for their second album titled Evolution then also go out on the JOURNEY 1979 World Tour. As the sad news sweeps the world, friends and fans alike grieve at the passing of the late great Leon Wilkeson. Leon Wilkeson - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia Former bassist for Lynyrd Skynyrd . The new Skynyrd continued to tour and release albums on a regular basis. Wilkeson died of natural causes . Leon Russell Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 - July 27, 2001) was the bassist of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001. Leon Russell Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 - July 27, 2001) was the bassist of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001. . Wilkeson opted to remain with Allen Collins in a new venture, The Allen Collins Band, issuing one album in 1983, Here, There and Back. After the Collins Band fizzled, little was heard from Wilkeson during the mid-1980s, except for a short-lived membership with Rocco Marshalls Christian-rock band Vision, which also included Billy Powell. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Leon is my favorite Bassist in all of rock and roll! Mr. Wilkeson survived a 1977 plane crash in Mississippi that killed the band's founder, Ronnie Van Zant, the . The Lynyrd Skynyrd story is one inevitably tinged by the tragic events of 20 October 1977, when a plane carrying the band crashed, killing six of the 20 people on board, including frontman Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and his sister, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines. This Day in RI History: April 2, 1952, Lynyrd Skynyrd Bassist Leon Priscilla Presley Shares Emotional Post On Lisa Marie's Birthday, In Rare Solo Moment, Mad Hatter Leon Wilkeson Stuns With Spontaneous Vocal Performance, Jay Leno Appears On First Talk Show Since Burn & Motorcycle Accidents, Sam Elliott Reunites With Big Lebowski Co-Star Jeff Bridges At SAG Awards, Florida Man Faces Legal Consequences For Hammer Attack On Shark, Dukes Of Hazzard Car Driven By Cast Members Has Been Totaled, Tom Sizemores Manager Releases Upsetting Update On His Condition, Austin Butler Called A True Gentleman For Helping Winners Up Steps At SAG Awards, Actor Who Plays Jamie On Yellowstone Addresses Rumors Of Behind-The-Scenes Drama. How old is Leon Wilkeson? cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Must have acquired it in the early 1980s. He was previously married to Evelyn Susan Abner, Ronda Rose Britton, Sherrie Lynn Rigby and Rena Wolfe. Since 2007, the English Wikipedia page of Leon Wilkeson has received more than 817,936 page views. Gambler Cowboy Hat Black 100% Wool Felt with Buckle Band Water Repellent Gaucho Crushable Wool Felt Gambler Hat Men, Women's Handmade hat's Ad vertisement by WanoGifts. He was the bass guitarist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a29cf5dbd0cef8c Wilkeson returned to Jacksonville and his regular job stocking ice cream at Farmbest Dairy Products. He was 49. Badass on the bass for sure. Known for his outlandish hats, Leon Wilkeson survived the plane crash in 1977 that killed band members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and singer Cassie Gaines. Tickets WILL sell out fast for this legendary final tour, get yours now by clicking here! 0 reviews. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. rockteese. Leon Wilkeson's father was alive, but was "the weirdest human being I had ever met in my life," according to King. Subsequently he was left with a greatly reduced range of motion, which forced him to hold his bass close to his body and at a distinctive near-vertical orientation. /. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. I heard a lot of him! Atlanta, Georgia 30328 | 877.481.5750, . Wilkeson would play in both Rossington Collins Band and the Allen Collins band. This account has been disabled. Read more on Wikipedia. What is the hat called that Ronnie Van Zant had? - Quora There is a problem with your email/password. Leon Wilkeson Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images With its outlaw/party-hearty image, tough Southern rock and solid touring, Skynyrd quickly became one of the top bands of the 1970s, scoring such hit albums as 1974s Second Helping, 1975s Nuthin Fancy, 1976s Gimme Back My Bullets and One More from the Road, plus 1977s Street Survivors and such hit singles as Free Bird and Sweet Home Alabama. It was also during this classic era that Wilkeson picked up the gimmick of wearing colorful hats onstage, garnering the nickname Mad Hatter.. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. In 1987 left the MARSHALL TUCKER BAND when I got the call to return to the new LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND on the tour known as the TRIBUTE TOUR. Leon Wilkeson, Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington of Lynyrd Skynyrd with friends in 1975 in San Jose, California. Blackberry Smoke announces new album and tour dates, Lynyrd Skynyrd sues ex-drummer Artimus Pyle, Charlie Daniels announces official memoir, Marshall Tucker Band announces 45th Live in Concert tour, Butch Trucks, founding member of Allman Brothers Band, has died, Whiskey Myers kicks off their North American tour. Although Leonwas known for his skills as an instrumentalist,he showed off his vocal talent backstage during their tribute tour, breaking into broke into Leon Russells Ballad for a Soldier.Leons passion for the song showed through, and his raspy, powerful voice was filled with emotion as he sang. Lieutenant Colonel in the Alabama State Militia. Dubbed the Mad Hatter by way of his proclivity for eccentric headwear on and off stage, among Wiklesons more notable instruments was a purchase from his aforementioned bass hero Entwistle the hybrid Gibson Thunderbird body and Fender Precision neck hence the moniker Fenderbird.. Skynyrd signed with Al Koopers production company, Sounds of the South, a joint venture with MCA Records, in 1973, an event that should have signaled smooth sailing for the group. Who is Leon Wilkeson: Leon Wilkeson is a famous American musician. . Copyright 2017 puresouthernrock.com All rights reserved. Leon Russell Wilkeson (1952-2001) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree . Last edited on 15 December 2022, at 20:14, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The band and its entourage went down in a plane crash on October 20, 1977, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leon_Wilkeson&oldid=1127629063, This page was last edited on 15 December 2022, at 20:14. Leon Wilkeson Biography - Musical artist | Pantheon At the time of the airplane crash was LYNYRD SKYNYRD'. "He was abusive, a nasty, mean little man with the personality of a thumb." . Thanks for posting this! Rock Musician. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. Leon Wilkeson. [1] By 1972, Wilkeson was becoming one of Jacksonville's top bassists. According to his autopsy, he suffered from severe liver cirrhosis caused by years of heavy drinking and traces of drugs were found on his blood, but his death was filed under accident. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. BETTER YOU GET IT THAN ANYONE ELSE * * COMES WITH DOCUMENT OF AUTHENTICY SUITABLE FOR FRAMING * ** PLEASE CHECK THE OTHER ITEMS I HAVE LISTED IN OTHER CATIGORIES THIS WEEK THIS WEEK ** I am the third roadie ever hired to work for the LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND. The principal members were Ronnie Van Zant (b. January 15, 1949 . Leon Wilkeson - Lynyrd Skynyrd | Fallen Heroes Of Southern Rock His luck, however, was on the short end of the stick as he would have his throat slit while on the Lynyrd Skynyrd tour bus in . This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Last summer I was forced to leave the Road from touring with a Band that had been like family to me for 33 years because of the medication I had to take made me sick, and not good for the hard life that traveling on the road requires.. Other close friend's besides Leon Wikeson have recently died of Hep C so it forced me to leave the road , I resume treatments at the Cleveland Clinic Leaving few options under short notice but to sell the vast collection of LYNYRD SKYNYRD memorabilia saved from the last 33 years. amzn_assoc_asins = "B007QFMNUW,B01IPRLZXK,B00CZQWLLS,B00BJP5S98"; January 20, 2018 Blackberry Smokeare getting ready to release follow-up to 2016s Like An, September 4, 2017 Founder of Molly Hatchet, guitarist Dave Hlubek has diedat the age of, July 15, 2017 Following the success of the Healing Blues project, North Carolina based. $1 Million - $5 Million. In 1987 left the MARSHALL TUCKER BAND when I got the call to return to the new LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND on the tour known as the TRIBUTE TOUR. Skynyrd dedicated the song . The Fenderbird bass mated a custom made Gibson Thunderbird body to a Fender Precision Bass neck. Leon Wilkeson was born on April 2, 1952 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Leon Wilkeson, known as "The Mad Hatter of Southern Rock," was the bassist of the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Wilkeson may have managed to cheat death twice in his young life, but he ultimately met an untimely end. Leon Russell Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 - July 27, 2001) was the bassist of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001. . Woodstock 94 Collectors Set Framed Ticket,vip Pass Etc. Lucky me for being pack rat I kept everything. To receive email updates when Leon Wilkeson is seen with new gear follow . amzn_assoc_region = "US"; His death was attributed to natural causes. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. . Born on April 2, 1952, in Newport, Rhode Island, but raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Wilkeson became a major Beatles fan just as he was becoming a teenager and began learning to play bass guitar . . Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Skynyrd Bassist Dies - Rolling Stone ). Lynyrd Skynyrd bassist Leon Wilkeson was able to dodge death two times (while on tour with the band), but proved not as lucky a third time. Lynyrd Skynyrd poses for a portrait in September 1974 in Parsippany, New Jersey. Maybe 100 people there. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Died: Found dead on July 27, 2001, in a Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., hotel room; Wilkeson had apparently been suffering from chronic liver and lung . Lynyrd Skynyrd's tribute to awesome basist Leon Wilkeson, who died in 2001. For a short time, Wilkeson worked at a dairy plant, Farm Best Dairy in Jacksonville, during which on an interview he laughed that he "got paid every two weeks and got all the ice cream he could eat".[1]. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; My GRASS IS BLUE screen printed T-Shirt as worn by Leon Wilkeson. Leon Russell Wilkeson (April 2, 1952 " July 27, 2001) was the bassist of Southern rock Band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001. July 27, 2001, Ponte Vedra . This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Leon Wilkeson Relays Words Of Wisdom & Encouragement - "[Don't] Be His first name is "Leon" and his last name is . The Rossington-Collins Band got off to a good start, as their 1980 debut, '"Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere," became a modest hit. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Profile: American musician, born 2 April 1952 in Newport Rhode Island, USA, died in his sleep 27 July 2001 in a hotel room in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA. Wilkeson awoke to find Gaines dead from a broken neck and himself severely injured. Lynrd Skynyrd cowboy hat "Leon Wilkeson | #330271631 Leon Wilkeson Hat * Planet Hollywood * Lynyrd Skynyrd He was 49 at the time of his death. Year should not be greater than current year. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. On stage and on record, their full-throttle boogie style was both explosive and surprisingly graceful as evident in the genre's landmark "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama." Leon Wilkeson (1952-2001) - Find a Grave Memorial [1], After the crash, Wilkeson and the other survivors mostly stayed out of the spotlight for the remainder of the 1970s, as they attempted to put their lives back together. Leon Wilkeson was born on April 2, 1952 in Newport, Rhode Island, but grew up and learned to play music in Jacksonville, Florida. Leon Wilkeson, guitarist: born Jacksonville, Florida 2 April 1952; died Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 27 July 2001. . You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Even though Leon is gone, he continues to live on as a part of Skynyrd . George C. Wallace as Aide-de-Camp with the rank of Hon. Lynyrd Skynyrd Hat - Etsy cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. In 1980 Gary Rossington and Allen Collins asked me to return to work for them with the newly formed ROSSINGTON COLLINS BAND which lasted until 1983 when Gary Rossington and Allen Collins split. He was, a lot like Berry Oakley, in that he seemed to be an excellent judge of the "too much bass" line in the sand and exactly how far to step back from that line. A character in the supernatural thriller The Coffin (2008) refers to a person as Ol' Man Wilkeson. When he nailed the Skynyrd gig, a job which he held for life, Wilkeson got cold feet and sat out the bands debut platter Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd,waxed in 1973. It was also during this time that Wilkeson picked up the gimmick of wearing colorful hats onstage, garnering the nickname "Mad Hatter." Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Allen Collins started the ALLEN COLLINS BAND that only lasted about 2 years. Great bassist. It was an unthinkable tragedy, and one that robbed the world of a unique and important band that played a huge part in . . Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, USA, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Johns County, Florida, USA. LEON STAYED AT MY HOUSE OFTEN. Eclipse Twilight Faces Of Battle Set 8 Trading Cards Breaking Dawn Rober. BUT SOME FRIENDS TO STAY WITH IN MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY DURING TRANSITIONS OF HIS LIFE. Former Strawberry Alarm Clock member Ed King subbed for Wilkeson during the recording of Skynyrds debut, Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd, but just as sessions wrapped up, Wilkeson began having second thoughts about leaving the group. Known as the "man with the hats", Leon's bass was the driving force behind Lynyrd Skynyrd for 30 years. Skynyrd received another burst of renewed interest during the late 1990s, due to an episode of VH1s Behind the Music that explored the groups turbulent career. July 30, 2001. Here is the you tube version: Last edited: Feb 10, 2015. wesonbass . Leon Wilkeson; Rock Band Bassist, 49 - The New York Times Net Worth in 2021. He was born on April 2, 1952 and his birthplace is Newport Rhode Island. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). 100 Leon Wilkeson ideas in 2023 | lynyrd skynyrd band, lynyrd skynyrd Leon Russell Wilkeson. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 10:44 AM. . If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. Misspelled his name Leon Wilkeson, don't take offence! Leon mastered his instrument and was asked to join Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1970. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Leon Wilkeson - Wikiwand After that started working for the MARSHALL TUCKER BAND as their Guitar Tech. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. The survivors had extensive injuries, and . AFTER MANY TOURS HE WOULD FLY HOME WITH ME. When the band went on hiatus following theplane crash of 1977, Leoncontinued to work with his Skynyrd bandmates in a variety of other groups. Page 2 of 3 < Prev 1 2 3 Next > Aug 17 . Allen Larkin Collins loved that car and would have never sold it. Leon Russell Wilkeson oli yhdysvaltalainen basisti, joka oli Lynyrd Skynyrd -yhtyeen pitkaikainen jsen. Wilkeson was also nicknamed "The Mad Hatter" because of his tendency to wear top hats whenever he played. Leon Wilkeson was born on April 2, 1952 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. In 1979 another survivor of the plane crash Kevin Elson, who was the Sound Man for LYNYRD SKYNYRD at the time of the crash called saying he was going out on a World Tour with the group JOURNEY and they needed a Guitar Tech to go to the recording studio with them for their second album titled Evolution then also go out on the JOURNEY 1979 World Tour. Leon Wilkeson - Popular Bio Leon Wilkeson Biography, Songs, & Albums | AllMusic Failed to remove flower. We have set your language to Try again. Leon Russell Wilkeson - Grave of a Famous Person on - Waymarking Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Jenness waived this proviso, and the group continued with replacement bassist Ean Evans. amzn_assoc_linkid = "3dade7dca27a107e53fc9f079283fe14"; July 27, 2001 LeonWilkeson (bass player for Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death). Aliases: Wolfman (7) In Groups: Gears + Equipment Used By Leon Wilkeson - Gemtracks Born on April 2, 1952 in Jacksonville, FL, Leon Russell Wilkeson became a major Beatles fan just as he grew into his teens, as he sought to learn the bass in order to copy his favorite member of the Fab Four, Paul McCartney. It was also during this classic era that Wilkeson picked up the gimmick of wearing colorful hats onstage, garnering the nickname "Mad Hatter." . After becoming a big Beatles fan as a teenager, Leonfollowed in the footsteps of his idol Paul McCartney, and dedicated himself to learning how to play the bass at the age of 14. Although Leon was . [2] Wilkeson's death put the group in a difficult position since an agreement with Ronnie Van Zant's widow, Judy Jenness, mandated that at least three of Skynyrd's longtime members would have to appear in order for the band to use the name Lynyrd Skynyrd. Puresouthernrock.com is the most complete Southern Rock resource on the web. Guitarist Ed King found Wilkeson with his throat cut, bleeding profusely on the groups tour bus. The band and its entourage went down in a plane crash on October 20, 1977, outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi, which left members Ronnie Van Zant, Steve Gaines and Cassie Gaines dead and the rest suffering severe lacerations, broken bones and various internal injuries. The "Cat in the Hat" played with a pick but I played his stuff fingerstyle. Lynyrd Skynyrd is hitting the road one last time and coming to a city near you dont miss your chance to say goodbye! Also a survivor of the plane crash October 20,1977 that killed band leader RONNIE VANZANT, STEVE GAINES, his sister CASSIE GAINES and assistant road manager DEAN KILPATRICK. 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. LEON STAYED AT MY HOUSE OFTEN. . Jun 18, 2015 - Leon Wilkeson wearing Hat on October 17, 1977. Please reset your password. 0 cemeteries found in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, USA. So don't be fooled by her radiance, this chick is the female Leon Wilkeson (hats included).' Last but by no means least is guitarist Jack Davison who maturity of playing added to his youthful energy completes what is a high power and musically skilled band. . The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. [1] He was pronounced dead by St Johns County Fire Rescue Paramedic, Charlie Galambos. There was a problem getting your location. It was also during this time that Wilkeson picked up the gimmick of wearing colorful hats onstage, garnering the nickname "Mad Hatter.". 200 _ 1 a Wilkeson b Leon f 1952-2001 4xx's: Alternate Name Forms (19) 400 0 _ a Leon Wilkeson c Amerikaans muzikant (1952-2001) Try again later. Leon Wilkeson | Page 2 | TalkBass.com Try again later. Feb 9, 2023 - Explore kevin Jones's board "leon Wilkeson" on Pinterest. Skynyrd's Leon Wilkeson Dies - Billboard Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. On stage and on record, their full-throttle boogie style was both explosive and surprisingly graceful as evident in the genre's landmark "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama". Barely recovered from the injuries received in the plane crash on October 20,1977, When in February of 1978 the group FOREIGNER called to work for them in the recording studio and be their Guitar Tech for their second album titled Double Vision and then go out on their 1978 World Tour. amzn_assoc_title = "Lynyrd Skynyrd Memorabilia"; Leon Russell Wilkeson April 2nd 1952 July 27th 2001. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Try again later. Its hard to imagine Lynyrd Skynyrd without the spectacular talent and wit brought to the table by bassist Leon Wilkeson. July 27, 2001 - Leon Wilkeson (bass player for Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death). He grew up in Jacksonville, FL and went on to become the main bass player in the southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd in the 1970s, the heydey of the band. (Yes, my hair was long and dark then and my signature felt hat was part of my identity.) Leon Wilkeson Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts - BuzzLearn Wilkeson had apparently been suffering from chronic liver and lung disease. If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please. Under Review. He was the bass guitarist for the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. check out Mad Hatter, from Skynyrd, it is a tribute to Leon Wilkeson, recorded after his death. Leon Wilkeson - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio Van Zant subsequently visited Wilkeson and convinced him to rejoin the band, and King moved to lead guitar. JavaScript is disabled. Was known for his many outrageous hats. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Founding member Leon Wilkeson dead at forty-nine. With hit albums and sold-out tours (as well as the emergence of such similarly styled acts as .38 Special, Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet, the Outlaws, etc. Leon Wilkeson Obituary (2001) - Jacksonville, FL - Florida Times-Union Leon Wilkeson - Wikiwand Here, you can discover the world of southern rock with latest news, videos and (eventually) find information on all southern rock bands in one easy location. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. [1] Wilkeson was seated next to Steve Gaines, and both were thrown face first into a bulkhead at high speed while still strapped in their airline seats. Despite his self-taught approach and working his instrument with a left / right hand technique that bore resemblance to a soft-shell crab skittering across hot pavement, the late Leon Russell Wilkeson was a dexterous player who purveyed many a thrilling passage as anchor of the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd line-up. UP FOR AUCTION IS this * ATLANTA BRAVES 1991 * WORLD SERIES * BASEBALL HAT * OWNED BY * LEON WILKESON * EXCELLENT CONDITION * * LEON HAD SOME BAD RELATIONSHIPS THOUGH HIS CAREER THAT DURING BREAKUPS [1] Her brother turned out to be Ronnie Van Zant, and soon after, Wilkeson signed on with Van Zant's group, the Collegiates. Wilkeson was in town to address charges of driving under the influence, for which he had been cited earlier that year. Born on April 2, 1952, in Newport, Rhode Island, but raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Wilkeson became a major Beatles fan just as he was becoming a teenager and began learning to play bass guitar in order to emulate his favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney. was born on April 2nd 1952 in Newport, Rhode Island, but raised in Jacksonville, Florida. Oops, we were unable to send the email. Since Leon was known for wearing crazy hats on stage, Skynyrd dedicated a song called "Mad Hatter" to him on their 2003 album, Vicious Cycle, the first album released after his death. However, due to plummeting school grades, Wilkeson had to drop out of the group at the behest of his parents. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Leon Wilkeson (5861203)? "I don't hear that magic anymore": Lynyrd Skynyrd on modern guitar Leon Russell Wilkeson (April 2 1952 - July 27, 2001) was the bassist of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd from 1972 until his death in 2001.. Leon Wilkeson (Musician) Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Net Worth On 21 Mar 1975, Leon Wilkeson was appointed to the personal military staff of Gov. We would especially like to feature independent artists to try and get them more exposure. .The private lives of LYNYRD SKYNYRD have remained out of loyalty and has been the most dedicated and devoted employee of the LYNYRD SKYNYRD BAND since 1973. Leon rejoined whenthe band finally decided to reunite in 1987, and he remained with the group until his death in 2001. My all time favorite bass player and very ignored unfortunately. As Rock and Roll Paradise reports, "Guitarist Ed King found Wilkeson with his throat cut, bleeding profusely on the group's tour bus." Wilkeson was rushed to the hospital and once again .