Friday, September 24, 2010

In Memory of Hendrix, Lennon, Skinner

Jimi Hendrix • Despite the name, Jimi Hendrix: The Guitar Hero is not a video game, but a rockumentary retrospective on the career of one of rock's premier guitarists, now available on DVD. Among those who reflect on Hendrix's contributions: Eric Clapton, Eric Burdon, Dave Mason, Mick Taylor and Bev Bevan. Slash narrates. Watch clips from the film. (September 18 was the 40th anniversary of Hendrix's death.)

John Lennon in 1975 • The 70th anniversary of John Lennon's birth is October 9, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum is planning a series of events marking the occasion: filmed highlights of Lennon's (and The Beatles') HOF inductions, dedication of a time capsule of post-Beatles Lennon memorabilia (to be opened on Lennon's 100th birthday in 2040) and tours of The Beatles exhibit. During the weekend of October 8-10, Rock Hall visitors will have the opportunity to add their best wishes to a larger-than-life birthday card.

Lynyrd • Rarely does the death of a retired high school basketball coach/gym teacher command so much attention, but Leonard Skinner holds a special place in classic rock history. One day in the late '60s at Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Skinner sent a group of boys to the principal's office because he thought their hair shouldn't be so long. When those boys later formed a rock band, they forever memorialized Skinner's name by calling themselves Lynyrd Skynyrd. Skinner, a victim of Alzheimer's, died this week at the age of 77. On the band's website, co-founder Gary Rossington (on the far right in the photo) says, "Coach Skinner had such a profound impact on our youth that ultimately led us to naming the band ... after him. Looking back, I cannot imagine it any other way. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family..."

Photos by Hulton Archive / Getty Images

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